CLASS FIVE

 

COLLISIONS
 HOW A CRASH MAY AFFECT YOU

 

 

1. What is “Utah Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law”?

  • It requires that every resident owner of a motor vehicle, including motorcycles, shall maintain owner’s or operator’s security (proof of financial responsibility) in effect at any time the motor vehicle is operated on a highway or on a quasi-public road or parking area within the state.

  • Anyone who knowingly operates a motor vehicle, or permits one to be operated without owner’s security, is guilty of a class B misdemeanor and may have their driving privileges suspended or revoked and their vehicle impounded.

  • Motor vehicle insurance is the most convenient and least expensive way to comply with this law.

 

2. Explain the most important types of Insurance coverage available to motorist in Utah?

  • Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – Mandatory coverage that provides payment for injuries or damages caused through your negligence to another person or another person’s property. 

  • Uninsured Motorist – Covers injuries to you and your passengers if you are in a crash that is caused by another driver who does not have insurance or by a “hit-and-run” driver

  • Personal Injury Protection (also known as “No-fault” or “PIP”) – Mandatory and provides some basic benefits and coverage for bodily injury to you and others without having to determine “fault” in a crash.

  • Collision – Covers repairs to your vehicle for damage caused by a collision, subject to a deductible, usually in a case when no other person is at fault.  This coverage is not required by law, but is usually required by a lien holder.

  • Comprehensive – Cover repairs to your vehicle for damage caused by some reason other than collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism or glass breakage.  This coverage is not required by law, but may be required by a lien holder.

3. SR-22 Insurance

SR-22 is a "Future proof" of financial responsibility insurance coverage usually ordered by a court of law for a driver or a vehicle owner who were involved in an accident and does not have insurance at the time of the accident. SR-22 policy serves as evidence that the individual will be able to pay for any future damage they may cause to others if they are responsible for a future accident. This proof must be maintained for three years following the date of the suspension or revocation of the person's driver license.

 

 
Duration: 6:58 minutes
Auto Insurance 101 - Part 1

 

 
Duration: 4:40 minutes
Auto Insurance 101 - Part 2

 

 

 

3. What are the steps to take when involved in a crash?  - If you are involved in a crash

1. Stop Immediately

  • You may be penalized severely for not remaining at the scene of a crash in which you are involved. 

  • Your driver license could be suspended or revoked for up to one year

  • In addition, you can receive a jail sentence of up to one year, a fine of up to $2,500 or both.

2. Render Aid

  • If possible, find someone trained in First Aid.  Until medical help arrives, you should avoid moving anyone who appears to be seriously injured unless such action is necessary to avoid further injury

  • You are required to render to any person injured in the crash reasonable assistance, including transporting or making arrangements for transporting of the injured person to a physician or hospital for medical treatment

  • If it is apparent that treatment is necessary

  • Or transportation is requested by the injured person

  • It is a 3rd degree felony for a person to fail to stop at the scene of an injury crash.

3. Traffic Clearance

  • If the crash results in property damage only and there are no injuries, the law allows for the operator of the vehicle to move the vehicle as soon as possible off the roadway or freeway main lines, shoulders, medians, or adjacent areas to a location on the exit ramp, shoulder, a frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street,

  • or other suitable location that does not obstruct traffic and requires that the operator remain at that location until all other requirements are fulfilled.

4. Contact the Police

  • If the crash results in injuries, death, or at least $1,500 in total property damage, you must notify the police, sheriff, or Highway Patrol as soon as possible.

  • This rule applies to all types of crashes, regardless of whether another driver was involved. 

  • You may also be requested to provide insurance information to the Financial Responsibility Section, Driver License Division.

5. Exchange Information

  • The following information must be exchanged between drivers or other persons involved in the crash

  • Your name and address

  • Vehicle registration number

  • Your insurance information including agent or provider’s name and phone number

  • If the owner of an unattended vehicle is not available or cannot be found, leave a note providing this information

  • Name and address of the driver of your vehicle

  • Vehicle registration number of the vehicle that caused the crash

  • The operator of a vehicle that provides the information required to a police officer at the scene of the crash is exempt from providing the information to other person involved.


4. AVOID TEXTING WHEN YOU DRIVE

 


 
Duration; 10:00 minutes
Utah Texting While Driving PSA: Texting Tragedy

 

5. AVOID DRIVING DROWSY

  • Drowsy driving is driving when you are tired or on medication that make you drowsy.

  • When you are tired (like getting off a graveyard shift) your ability to drive is affected.  You will probably not able to make decisions as quickly, your reaction time will be increased and you may become upset more easily. 

  • You may fall asleep at the wheel

Operating a vehicle safely demands that the driver concentrate on driving. The person should be rested, calm and not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. One of the greatest hazards of roadway driving is drowsiness. Lack of sleep or fatigue affects your ability to safely drive your vehicle. When taking a long trip, avoid drowsiness by stopping frequently for refreshment, exercise or nap.

 


Duration: 2:24 minutes

 

 

6. What are some of things you can do to help drive more safely to avoid drowsy driving?

  • Get a good night’s sleep before you start a trip

  • Do not take any medications that can make you sleepy. 

  • Do not drive for long hours or distances – 300 to 400 miles a day is recommended.

  • Try not to drive late at night.  Your body is probably used to going to sleep at that time and your reaction time will become slower.  Travel at time you are normally awake.

  • Take rest breaks regularly, even if you don’t feel tired.  Let someone else drive part of the time.  Stop for a bit of refreshment every 100 miles or every two hours of driving time.

  • Plan for stops in cities where you may stay for the night.

  • Shift your eyes from one part of the road to another.  Try to enjoy the scenery without neglecting your driving.  Look at objects near and far, left and right.

7. What are the warning signs of drowsy driving?

  • You can't remember the last few miles driven

  • You hit a rumble strip or drift from your lane

  • You keep pulling your vehicle back into the lane

  • Your thoughts are wandering and disconnected

  • You yawn repeatedly

  • You have difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open and your head up

  • You tailgate or miss traffic signs

  • You have narrowly missed crashing

8. What should you do if you feel tired?

  • The best thing to do is to find a safe place to stop and get some sleep for at least 20 minutes.

  • No matter the time of day especially if all passengers in the vehicle are sleep.

9. Overcorrection: A Killer on the Road

 
Duration: 2:58 minutes
Overcorrection

 

 

 

 

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CLASS 5