North Carolina · Handbook chapter 8 · 5 min read
Chapter 8: Defensive driving, hazards, emergencies and crashes
Scanning and signaling, hand signals, work zones, night driving and headlight rules, rain, hydroplaning, floods, fog, snow and ice, wildlife, vehicle emergencies, skids and what North Carolina law requires after a crash.
Why this chapter matters
Defensive driving means staying out of trouble even when others make mistakes. This chapter covers what to do when the road, the weather or your own car turns against you, and the legal duties you have after a crash.
Scanning and communicating
- Look 10 to 15 seconds ahead, about one city block.
- Check your mirrors about every 10 seconds, but take your eyes off the road only for an instant.
- Mirrors leave blind spots near the rear corners. Turn your head and look before changing lanes or turning.
- Signal every time you plan to slow, stop, turn, change lanes or pull away from the curb, even if no one seems to be around.
- Signal at least 100 feet before turning or stopping, and at least 200 feet where the limit is 45 mph or more.
Hand signals (left arm out of the driver's window)
| Signal | Arm position |
|---|---|
| Left turn | Straight out, pointing |
| Right turn | Out, with forearm and hand pointing up, palm forward |
| Stop or slow | Pointing down, palm to the rear |
Margin of safety
If someone tailgates you, move to another lane and let them pass. When facing two dangers at once, give more room to the greater or more likely one: a child on a bike is more likely to move suddenly than oncoming cars. If the dangers are equal, slow or stop and let one pass.
Work zones
- A work zone runs from the first sign to the last sign. Signs with black lettering on orange are reserved for work zones.
- Speeding in a posted work zone can bring an extra penalty on top of the speeding fine.
- A flagger with a STOP/SLOW paddle may control traffic. Be ready to stop.
- Driving much slower than traffic is a major cause of rear-end crashes in work zones. Act on lane shift signs early, not at the last moment.
Night driving and headlights
- Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise, whenever visibility is 400 feet or less, and whenever you use your wipers because of bad weather.
- Use low beams in the city. Use high beams on open roads unless you are meeting or following another vehicle.
- If an oncoming driver keeps high beams on, flash yours once, then keep yours on low and look toward the right edge of the road.
- Never drive faster than you can stop within the distance you can see.
Rain, floods and fog
- Stopping distances on slippery roads can be 2 to 10 times longer. Use at least double your normal following distance and drive 5 to 10 mph slower on wet roads.
- The first 10 to 15 minutes of rain are the most slippery, as water mixes with oil and dirt.
- Hydroplaning can start at 30 mph in water only about 1/8 inch deep. Ease off the gas, do not brake, keep the wheel straight. Never use cruise control in rain.
- Never drive through standing water. About six inches of fast-moving water can sweep a car off the road and 12 inches can float it. Since 1970, inland flooding has caused 85 percent of tropical weather deaths in the state.
- In fog, use low beams and slow down. If you cannot see, pull well off the road, turn on hazard flashers and get out on the passenger side.
Snow, ice and wildlife
- Bridges, overpasses and shady spots freeze first.
- Cut your speed by more than half on packed snow and crawl on ice. Allow at least three times the normal stopping distance.
- Animals are most active at dawn, dusk and the first hours after dark. If one is in the road, brake firmly and stay in your lane. Expect more than one deer.
Vehicle emergencies
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Brake failure | Shift to a lower gear and apply the parking or emergency brake |
| Wet brakes | Drive a short distance pressing the brake lightly to dry them |
| Stuck gas pedal | Tap or lift the pedal, shift to neutral, brake firmly and get off the road |
| Blowout | Grip the wheel, keep straight, ease off the gas, and brake only once the car has slowed |
| Wheels off the pavement | Ease off the gas, steer straight, slow down, then steer back on gently when it is safe |
| Skid | Ease off the gas and steer in the direction the rear is sliding, then straighten |
| Oncoming car in your lane | Slow down, sound the horn and keep right, even off the road |
On a long downhill grade, use a lower gear instead of riding the brakes.
After a crash
- You must stop. Leaving the scene is against the law.
- Protect the scene, help the injured and make sure the police are told.
- If no one is hurt and the car can be driven, move it out of the travel lanes onto the shoulder.
- You must report a crash to police at once if anyone is killed or injured or the damage appears to be $1,000 or more.
- Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, registration numbers and insurance companies. If you cannot identify the owner of damaged property, write down what you can and give it to the police.
- People who stop to help at a crash are protected from civil liability, except for intentional wrongdoing.
Frequently asked questions
When must I turn on headlights in North Carolina?
From sunset to sunrise, when you cannot see 400 feet ahead, and whenever your wipers are on because of the weather.
What should I do if my car starts to hydroplane?
Take your foot off the gas, do not brake, and keep the wheel straight until the tires grip again.
Which crashes must be reported to police?
Any crash with a death or injury, or with damage that appears to be $1,000 or more.
How far before a turn should I signal?
At least 100 feet, and at least 200 feet where the speed limit is 45 mph or higher.
What color are work zone signs?
Black lettering on orange.
Based on the North Carolina Driver Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 (Defensive Driving, Hazardous Driving, Emergencies and Crashes).