If you must stop on the road or the shoulder of any road, you must put out your emergency warning devices within minutes. Place your warning devices at the following locations:

If you must stop on or by a one-way or divided highway, place warning devices feet, feet and feet toward the approaching traffic. (See Figure 2.8.)

If you stop on a two-lane road carrying traffic in both directions or on an undivided highway, place an emergency warning device feet in front of the truck, one device feet behind the vehicle to mark the location of the vehicle and one device feet behind the vehicle, on the shoulder or in the lane you stopped in. (See Figure 2.9.)

Back beyond any hill, curve or other obstruction that prevents other drivers from seeing the vehicle within feet. If line of sight view is obstructed due to hill or curve, move the rear-most triangle to a point back down the road so warning is provided. (See Figure 2.10.)

When putting out the triangles, hold them between yourself and the traffic for your own safety. (So other drivers can see you.)

Use Your Horn When Needed. Your horn can let others know you are there. It can help to a crash. Use your horn when needed; however, it can startle others and could be dangerous when used unnecessarily.

2.6 – Controlling Speed

Driving too is a major cause of fatal crashes. You must adjust your speed depending on driving conditions. These include traction, curves, visibility, traffic and hills.

2.6.1 – Stopping Distance

Distance + Distance + Distance = Total Stopping Distance

Distance. The distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from the time your eyes see a hazard until your recognizes it. Keep in mind that certain mental and physical conditions can affect your perception of distance. It can be affected greatly depending on and the hazard itself. The average perception time for an driver is 1 3/4 seconds. At 55 mph, this accounts for feet traveled.

Distance. The distance you will continue to travel, in ideal conditions, before you physically the brakes in response to a hazard seen ahead. The average driver has a reaction time of three-fourths second to one second. At 55 mph, this accounts for feet traveled.

Distance. The distance your vehicle will travel, in ideal conditions, while you are braking. At 55 mph on pavement with brakes, it can take about feet.

Total Stopping Distance. The total minimum distance your vehicle has traveled, in conditions, with everything considered (including distance, distance and distance) until you can bring your vehicle to a complete stop. At 55 mph, your vehicle will travel a minimum of feet. (See Figure 2.11.)

The Effect of Speed on Stopping Distance. The you drive, the greater the or striking power of your vehicle. When you double your speed from 20 to 40 mph, the impact is times greater. The braking distance is also times longer. If you triple the speed from 20 to 60 mph, the impact and braking distance is times greater. At 60 mph, your stopping distance is than the length of a football field. If you increase the speed to 80 mph, the impact and braking distance are 16 times greater than at 20 mph. High speeds greatly increase the severity of crashes and distances. By slowing down, you can reduce braking distance.

The Effect of Vehicle Weight on Stopping Distance. The heavier the vehicle, the more work the brakes must do to stop it and the more they absorb. The brakes, tires, springs and shock absorbers on heavy vehicles are designed to work best when the vehicle is loaded. Empty trucks require stopping distances because an empty vehicle has less .