Safe driving and emergencies · Ontario G1 Prep

1.Following distance, scanning and blind spots

A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This lets you see around the vehicle ahead and gives you enough distance to stop suddenly.
To measure it, pick a marker on the road ahead such as a road sign or telephone pole. When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two". If you reach the marker before you finish counting, you are following too closely.
The two-second rule is a minimum and applies only to ideal driving conditions. You will need extra space in situations such as bad weather, when following motorcycles or large trucks, or when carrying a heavy load.
Following too closely adds 4 demerit points to your record if you are convicted.
Check your mirrors every five seconds or so, and check your blind spots by turning your head to look over your shoulder.
Because your side mirrors show only narrow angles of view, turning your head to do shoulder checks is the only way to make sure there is nothing in your blind spots.
Keep other drivers out of your blind spot by changing your speed, and do not drive in other vehicles’ blind spots — especially around large commercial vehicles, which typically have large blind spots to the sides and back.
The farther ahead you look, the less likely you will be surprised, and you will have time to avoid any hazards.

Official source: Driving along ↗ · Getting ready drive ↗ · Safe and responsible driving ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗

2.Night driving and headlights

Headlights are required between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise.
Headlights are also required any other time of poor light conditions, such as fog, snow or rain, which keeps you from clearly seeing people or vehicles less than 150 metres away.
When you use high-beam headlights, switch to low beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle, and use low beams when you are less than 60 metres behind another vehicle unless you are passing it. These rules apply to all roads, including divided ones.
Failing to lower headlamp beams adds 2 demerit points to your record if you are convicted.
You are overdriving your headlights when you go so fast that your stopping distance is farther than you can see with your headlights. Slow down at night, especially on unlit roads and whenever weather conditions reduce your visibility.
In fog, use your low-beam headlights. High beams reflect off the moisture droplets in the fog, making it harder to see.
When meeting oncoming vehicles with bright headlights at night, look up and beyond and slightly to the right of the oncoming lights.
If your headlights go out, check the switch immediately. If the lights stay out, turn on your hazard lights and bring your vehicle to a safe stop off the road, then call for help — it is dangerous and illegal to drive at night without lights.

Official source: Getting ready drive ↗ · Driving night and bad weather ↗ · Dealing emergencies ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗

3.Winter and bad-weather driving

As temperatures drop below freezing, wet roads become icy. Sections of road in shaded areas or on bridges and overpasses freeze first.
If the road ahead looks like black and shiny asphalt, be suspicious — it may be covered by a thin layer of ice known as black ice. Asphalt in the winter should normally look gray-white in colour. If you think there may be black ice ahead, slow down and be careful.
Slow down on rutted, snowy roads and avoid sudden steering, braking or accelerating that could cause a skid. Do not use cruise control during times of snow and other inclement weather.
In blowing snow or a whiteout, use your low-beam headlights, increase your following distance, and do not stop on the travelled portion of the road — you could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision.
To provide the best traction during the winter season, it is recommended that your vehicle be equipped with four winter or all-weather tires with the same tread pattern.
Before driving, check for ice, snow or dirt that may interfere with vehicle lighting, steering or driver visibility, or become a hazard to other motorists should it come free from your vehicle.
If you become stuck or stranded in severe weather, stay with your vehicle for warmth and safety until help arrives. Open a window slightly for ventilation, run your motor sparingly and use your emergency flashers.
Carry a winter driving survival kit that includes items such as warm clothing, non-perishable energy foods, flashlight, shovel and blanket.
Snow-removal vehicles have flashing blue lights that can be seen from 150 metres. On freeways several snow plows may be staggered across the road — do not try to pass between them.

Signs in this section

Slippery when wet

Official source: Driving night and bad weather ↗ · Maintaining your vehicle ↗

4.Fatigue and distraction

Tired drivers can be as impaired as drunk drivers. They have a slower reaction time and are less alert.
Warning signs that drowsiness is serious include difficulty keeping your eyes open, frequent yawning, not remembering the last few kilometres you have travelled, and your vehicle drifting into the next lane.
If you have one of these symptoms you may be in danger of falling asleep. Pull off the road and park your vehicle in a safe, secure place, lock your doors, roll up your windows and take a nap.
Stimulants are never a substitute for sleep. Caffeine can help you feel more alert but the effects wear off quickly, and the same is true of turning up the volume of your radio or opening the window.
While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, it is illegal to use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial. You may only touch a device to call ambulance, police or fire department emergency services.
For A to G licence holders, a first distracted-driving conviction means a fine of $615 if settled out of court (up to $1,000 if you receive a summons or fight the ticket and lose), three demerit points and a 3-day suspension.
Novice drivers holding a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence face the same fines but receive no demerit points. Instead they face longer suspensions: 30 days for a first conviction.
Set your route and playlist before leaving, and if you need to use your phone, pull over and park the vehicle safely before using your device.

Official source: Dealing particular situations ↗ · Distracted driving ↗

5.Skids, hydroplaning and emergency braking

A skid may happen when one or more tires lose their grip with the road surface, most often on a road that is wet, icy or covered with snow, gravel or other loose material. Most skids result from driving too fast for road conditions.
If your vehicle begins to skid, ease off on the accelerator or brake, and on a very slippery surface slip the transmission into neutral if you can.
Continue to steer in the direction you wish to go and be careful not to oversteer. Once you regain control, you can brake as needed, but very gently and smoothly.
If there is too much water or you are going too fast, your tires may ride on top of the water like water skis. This is called hydroplaning, and control becomes very difficult. Make sure you have good tires with deep tread, and slow down when the road is wet.
Vehicles equipped with ABS should provide controlled braking on slippery surfaces automatically: press the brake pedal hard and allow the system to control wheel lock-up.
Drivers unfamiliar with anti-lock braking may be surprised by the pulsations they feel in the brake pedal when they brake hard. Know what to expect so you are not tempted to release the pedal during emergency braking.
Although anti-lock braking systems help to prevent wheel lock, you should not expect the stopping distance for your vehicle to be shortened.
Threshold braking is generally practised in a vehicle that is not equipped with ABS: brake as hard as you can until a wheel begins to lock up, then release pressure on the pedal slightly and re-apply. Do not pump the brakes.
Avoid driving on flooded roads — water may prevent your brakes from working. If you must drive through a flooded stretch, test your brakes afterward when it is safe to do so by stopping quickly and firmly at 50 km/h.

Official source: Driving night and bad weather ↗

6.When something goes wrong

If your brakes fail, try pumping the brake pedal to temporarily restore hydraulic brake pressure. If this does not work, apply the parking brake gently but firmly while holding the release button.
If your brakes do fail and you manage to stop, do not drive away. Call for help.
If your gas pedal sticks, first try to lift the pedal by slipping your foot under it. Do not reach down with your hands while the vehicle is moving.
If that does not work, turn on your hazard lights, shift to neutral and stop as soon as you safely can, preferably off the road. Turn off the ignition and do not drive away.
If a tire blows out, take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down and steer the vehicle firmly in the direction you want to go, then bring the vehicle to a stop off the road.
If your wheels go off the pavement, do not panic. Grip the steering wheel firmly, take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down and avoid heavy braking. When the vehicle is under control, steer toward the pavement.
If you have trouble on a freeway, begin to pull over at the first sign of trouble — do not wait for your vehicle to stall. Check your mirrors, put on your hazard lights, take your foot off the gas pedal and pull over to the nearest shoulder. Never stop in the driving lanes.
While you wait for help, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked. If someone stops to help, ask them to call the police or automobile club for you. Do not raise the hood.

Official source: Dealing emergencies ↗

7.If you are in a collision

Every driver involved in a collision must stay at the scene or return to it immediately and give all possible assistance.
Failing to remain at the scene of a collision adds 7 demerit points, as does failing to stop when signalled or asked by a police officer.
By law, you must report any collision to the police when there are injuries or damage to vehicles or other property exceeding $5,000.
If damage is less than $5,000 you are still required by law to exchange information with anyone whose vehicle has been damaged, but the collision does not have to be reported to the police.
Failing to report a collision to a police officer adds 3 demerit points to your record if you are convicted.
Give police your name and address, the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, the vehicle plate and permit number and the liability insurance card, and get the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses.
In a collision with injuries, turn off all engines and turn on emergency flashers. Set up warning signals or flares, or have someone warn approaching drivers, and do not let anyone smoke or light a match near any vehicle in case of a fuel leak.
If there is no danger of fire or explosion, leave injured people where they are until trained medical help arrives, and stay with them until help arrives.
In a collision with no injuries, if the vehicles are drivable, move them as far off the road as possible — "Steer it, Clear it". If you cannot move them, set up warning signals or flares far enough away to give other traffic time to slow down or stop.

Official source: Dealing emergencies ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗