Safe Driving: Right and Wrong

Host: No question, we love our cars and without them we wouldn't get very far. But they're also a leading cause of injury and death, take a spin with as we pose an ever World Challenge to drivers and see if you are up to speed when it comes to car's safety. Here is your first question. If you get drowsy while driving, which is effective for staying awake? A, drinking a cup of coffee. B, rolling down the window. C, pinching your leg. Or D, turning on the radio. Male speaker: A, drinking coffee which is, it will -- caffeine will probably help you out, keep you a little awake. Female Speaker: I may say rolling down the window. Male Speaker: I think all four. I think they are all effective. Host: To steer us in the right direction, we turn to driving safety expert, William Van Tassel. William Van Tassel: None of the above. The only cure for drowsiness when driving is to get rest, and that's where 15-20 minute nap can help, in a safe place at the side of the road. Or if you spent a long day on the road, call off the day and get a good nights rest. Male Speaker: The reason we are taking a break right now is because we are tired too. Female speaker: And we switch out, so it's my turn to drive. Host: Moving on to the next question. True or false. Your driving ability starts to be impaired at a blood alcohol level of .08. Female Speaker: True. Female Speaker: Oh! That's false. Female Speaker: True. Male Speaker: Starts to be impaired, I'd say it probably starts to be impaired much lower than that. Host: Can't fool him, .08 is the legal limit but -- William Van Tassel: Impairment actually starts the moment you start drinking; even the alcohol containing a single drink can impair your driving ability. Host: Rolling along, here is the next question. To reduce the risk of whiplash where should the top of your head restraint be positioned? Male Speaker: Probably like, end of neck, like right here. Female Speaker: Probably, here, closer to my neck. Male Speaker: Right at the base of your skull, where your skull and your neck come together. William Van Tassel: The answer is the top of the head restraint should be positioned between ear level and the top of the head, and that will give maximum protection against whiplash. Most people have their head restraints position too low, that's the most common error with head restraint positioning. Host: So how are you doing so far? Female Speaker: I got one question right. Host: Okay, try this one. If your car has ABS or anti-lock brakes; you should handle emergency stopping situations by A, pumping the brakes, B, pressing down hard for two seconds and then pumping the brakes, C, not using the brakes at all or D, stepping on the brakes as hard and as fast as you can. Female Speaker: I don't know if I like any of those choices. Female Speaker: I don't want to step on the brakes too fast. Female Speaker: I think pumping the brakes, A. I am going to say D, stand on it as hard as you can and don't let go. William Van Tassel: A lot of people get this wrong but the answer is D, if you find yourself in an emergency braking situation; use the brakes as hard as you need to and continue to look and steer where you want to go. That's one of the main benefits of ABS; it allows the driver to retain some degree of steering control in an emergency braking maneuver. Host: Our journey continues. Next question, true or false. It's safe for a child to ride without a booster seat when he or she turns 7. Female Speaker: True. Host: Why? Female Speaker: Because I think the legal age is 6. Male Speaker: False. Because it should be based off of the weight and size based on where the seatbelt straps across him. Male Speaker: I would say generally true. William Van Tassel: Parents and grandparents you really need to listen up, this one is false. Children should be in booster seats until they're at least 4 foot 9 inches in height and 8 years old. Female Speaker: Wow! Male Speaker: Were you 4 foot 9 when you were 8? Female Speaker: No. Host: Coasting on to our final question. What is the safest seat for a passenger in a car? Male Speaker: I would say, behind the driver. Female Speaker: I would say the rear seat, middle of the rear seat. Male Speaker: The regular passenger seat where you've got an airbag. William Van Tassel: While many people call it shot gun and they want that right front seat, the safest seat is actually in the centre rear position. Male Speaker: Really? I didn't realize that, okay. William Van Tassel: Back there, you've got space to both sides. So if the car is hit from the side that space can be used as a crush zone to dissipate energy before it hits your body. Host: We have reached the end of the road. What did you think about our test? Male Speaker: Oh! Is there always trick questions? Male Speaker: There were no questions about following distance which is lucky for her.