chapter 5 — see-think-do crash fact Appropriate speeds  driving tip Steady speeds  Physics and driving  You need to pay attention to the laws of physics when you drive:  Traction  — this is the grip your tires have on the road. 69 Prepare yourself when  you see a hazard ahead.  Take your foot off the  accelerator and cover  the brake by resting your  foot lightly on the brake  pedal without activating  the brake. Your vehicle will  slow slightly and you will  be able to respond more  quickly if you must stop. Driving at a steady speed  saves fuel. Suddenly  changing your speed or  driving over the speed  limit will increase your fuel  consumption.  To keep a steady speed, use your brake and accelerator  smoothly. Driving up to a stop sign quickly and then hitting the  brake isn’t good for your passengers or your vehicle. It can also  cause the driver behind to crash into the rear of your vehicle.  To keep your driving speed smooth and steady, you need  to anticipate. When you see a stop sign, start to slow down.  Scan for hazards ahead, and use your brakes to gradually slow  your vehicle. Unless a sign tells you otherwise, speed limits are:  Aim for a speed that’s appropriate for the conditions in which  you are driving. The posted speed is the maximum for ideal  conditions only. Choose a slower speed if the conditions are  not ideal — for instance, if the roads are slippery or visibility  is limited.  Speeding is risky, but the safest speed isn’t always the slowest  speed. If you drive much slower than surrounding traffic, other  drivers might get frustrated and try to pass you.  You are using the tools of speed control — the accelerator and  the brake. If you drive a vehicle with a standard transmission,  you’ll also use the gears to help you control your speed. Good  speed control means maintaining appropriate and steady  speeds based on the driving conditions. In B.C. in 2014:  Source: Police Traffic  Accident System • 50 km/h within cities and towns  • 80 km/h outside cities and towns • 20 km/h is the maximum speed limit in a lane or alleyway  within municipalities unless otherwise posted. • Speed was a factor in  about 27 per cent of all  reported fatal collisions. • 4,942 people were  injured and 167 died  in collisions involving  speed. 1. Cover brake here 3. Able to stop here If brake is not covered the car won’t stop before the crosswalk 2. Apply brake here