The SAS Survival Driver’s Handbook

By anticipating problems you can avoid having to slam on the brakes at the last moment, with the risk that entails of a following car slamming into you. Slow down gradually by applying the brakes, so that following drivers can see your brake lights and adjust their speed accordingly.

Other common accident scenarios and techniques for avoiding hazards are dealt with in Defensive Driving.

DEADLY MOTORWAY DEBRIS (#ulink_4034c3c8-42eb-51cd-ac10-7b91ba8f145c)

Thousands of tons of debris are cleared from motorways every year, much of it potentially lethal. Vehicle parts account for most of the rubbish, though items as large as garage doors and gas cookers have been retrieved from traffic lanes by police. Even relatively small items can kill: a sheet of newspaper, if it lands across the windscreen or wraps itself round a motorcyclist’s head, can cause a fatal accident.

Motorists, when faced with a piece of debris on the road ahead and a split second in which to decide what action to take, will, in most cases, swerve suddenly to avoid the debris — creating a further hazard for following drivers.

To minimize the dangers of road debris, give yourself time and space in which to react:

• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If it is carrying a load which appears unstable, allow an even greater gap. Should another car fill the gap, ease off again to maintain that safety margin. Remember that the shortest stopping distance at 70 mph is the equivalent of 24 car lengths.

• Read the road ahead. Keep an eye on what cars in the distance are doing. If you see them taking avoiding action, prepare to react. Watch out for drivers way ahead of you using their brake lights, hazard warning lights or indicators. Give yourself time to slow down to a halt — braking suddenly will most likely result in your car being shunted by the vehicle behind.

When carrying a load of any description, make absolutely sure it is secure before you set off. The slipstream at 70 mph exerts considerable force.

If you see a dangerous obstruction in the road, find a safe place to stop and telephone the police. Your warning could save lives.

Safety Checks (#ulink_1053bdb6-7148-57d4-9b9a-a4a8e67c6b19)

Safety demands that you and your car need to be in tip-top condition. Before driving off, always carry out a quick inspection to ensure that there are no signs of forced entry and that the car is serviceable (see First Parade in Maintenance), and that your survival kit(s) are stowed correctly. This check will only take a few minutes and yet it could save you hours of misery.

A quick way to remember the items which need checking is to think POWER:

Petrol (oil or diesel)

Oil

Water (screenwash, coolant)

Electrics (lights)

Rubber (tyres and wipers)

Next, check underneath the vehicle for potential hazards or obstructions. Make sure no animals or children are at risk of being run over when you reverse.

DRIVER CHECKLIST

• Do you have a hangover?

• Are you taking medication that makes you drowsy?

• Suffering from any ailments or injuries, dental problems, sight defects?

• Feeling stressed after receiving bad news or having a row?

If the answer is yes, find some other form of transport, or stay indoors.

COCKPIT DRILL

Doors: Make sure all doors, including the hatchback or boot, are closed securely.

Seat: Adjust the driver’s seat to suit your height, making sure that the angle and distance from the wheel are comfortable. Adjust the head restraint so that it is level with the tops of your ears and close to the back of your head.

Steering: On some models the steering wheel can be adjusted. This is done by pulling a lever. Make sure it is securely engaged once you have made an adjustment. NEVER adjust the wheel when driving.

Seat belts: Make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt.

Mirrors: Adjust the interior mirror so as to give maximum all-round vision with minimum head movement. Check the exterior mirrors: you should be able to see one-third car and two-thirds road. A passenger can assist with this, otherwise it may be necessary to hop in and out of the car until you’re happy with the angle. The height of both mirrors is important: too high and you’ll create a dangerous blind spot; too low and you won’t see cars in the distance preparing to overtake. There are small inserts which can be stuck on to the wing mirrors giving a wider angle and eliminating blind spots.

Ensure the car is in neutral and the handbrake is applied. Switch on the ignition and check that all warning lights and gauges are functioning. On vehicles with a manual choke, set the choke (new cars are fitted with an automatic choke) and start the engine. Depress clutch pedal and select gear. Don’t touch the accelerator pedal when starting, it will only flood the engine.

Never race a cold engine. Let it warm up until it reaches normal operating temperature. This is when the temperature needle reaches normal and the choke is not required. While the engine is warming up, test the indicators, main beam, dip, and side lights, also hazard warning lights, and horn.

REMEMBER

NEVER leave an engine running unattended, especially with children or pets in the vehicle.

Check your mirrors, look over your shoulder to check your blindspot (if reversing, be especially wary of children or animals behind the car), release the handbrake and move off gradually. For the first few miles, be gentle on the brakes and take time changing gears — this will save wear and tear on the car.

Safety in the Garage (#ulink_de5aa113-16d0-5030-9a81-2dd2504a96d8)

Too many garages end up being used as a storage space for unsafe equipment and dangerous chemicals. If you intend to carry out car repairs or other work in the garage, make sure that it is a safe, well-lit and well-ventilated environment. Have a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit on hand.

Having invested in good quality tools, look after them. Store them in a tool box when not in use. Stow away tools, garden implements and other items on shelves or stout hooks.

DON’T store large quantities of petrol, paraffin and other flammable substances. In some countries there are legal limits on the amount of petrol you are allowed to store in a domestic environment.

Make it a rule that children are NEVER allowed into the garage unsupervised. It is not a suitable play area.

Store hazardous chemicals out of the reach of children — locked away if possible. Research has shown that most accidents occur when dangerous substances are stored less than four feet from ground level without being locked away.

Study the manufacturer’s instructions on the label. It’s all too easy, when you use a product regularly, to ignore the warnings on the label. Almost any chemical can be dangerous when used carelessly.

Hazardous items typically found in the garage include:

Petrol: Highly flammable/explosive. NEVER allow petrol fumes to build up — make sure the area is well ventilated. Do not smoke or permit any naked flames or sparks in the area. NEVER syphon fuel by sucking on a tube. If swallowed, petrol can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation. Inhaling the fumes can damage the lungs and cause pneumonia-like disorders. NEVER induce vomiting as further lung damage will occur. Seek medical attention immediately. Wear protective clothing and goggles to prevent contact with skin or eyes. If petrol gets on to the skin, rinse for several minutes under running water. Eye contact should be treated by irrigating the eyes with tepid water under a mixer tap or shower attachment for a minimum of 20 minutes, then seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Antifreeze and de-icer: Antifreeze may contain ethylene glycol. If swallowed it can damage the kidneys, brain and heart. De-icers often contain methanol, which if inhaled can cause dizziness and nausea. If swallowed, damage to the eyesight may occur. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical help without delay. To treat cases of skin and eye contact, follow the procedure described under Petrol, above.

Engine oil: Prolonged skin contact can cause serious skin disorders and cancer. Always wear gloves and protective clothing, and wash away any oil that comes in contact with the skin. Take care when disposing of used oil.

Car batteries: Give off highly explosive hydrogen gas and contain caustic acid. For a full list of safety precautions, see Maintenance.

Brush cleaners and paint strippers: May contain methanol. Some contain dichloro-methane, which can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation, causing damage to the central nervous system. Rinse thoroughly for at least 20 minutes and then seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Solvents, adhesives and sealants: Highly flammable and give off toxic vapours which can quickly cause dizziness and nausea. Over-exposure can lead to headaches, vomiting, stupor and hallucinations. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. Extreme exertion after inhaling may put the heart at risk. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately. Avoid skin contact. Wash off as soon as possible with soap and warm water. Don’t scrub — try to peel the glue away gently.