The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
5
.................................................................................................PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOUR VEHICLE
Anti-Lock Brake System
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
prevents skidding and allows drivers
to steer during an emergency
braking situation. ABS can help
improve vehicle stability, steering
ability, and stopping capability.
It is important to know if you have
ABS because it will affect the way
you should stop in an emergency
situation. With conventional
brakes,
you pump the brakes in
order to stop in an emergency
situation where traction is lost and
the vehicle slides. However, drivers
with ABS
need to press down hard
on the brake pedal, hold it, and
steer out of danger. In an emergency
situation, the ABS automatically
pumps the brakes at a faster rate
than the driver could. Removing
steady pressure from the brake
pedal or pumping the brakes will
disengage or “turn off” the ABS.
You can determine if the car has
ABS by looking for a lighted ABS
symbol on the dashboard right
after starting the engine, checking
the owner’s manual, or asking the
dealer.
Trailers, Towing, & Load
Equipment Requirements:
• Trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer
weighing 3,000 pounds or less:
◆
REAR—two reflectors, one at
each side.*
◆
A brake light if the trailer or
load blocks the brake lights on
the towing vehicle.
• Trailer or semitrailer weighing
more than 3,000 pounds:
◆
FRONT—two clearance
lamps, one at each side.
◆
EACH SIDE—two side
marker lamps, one at or near
the front and one at or near
the rear. Two reflectors, one at
or near the front and one at or
near the rear.
◆
REAR— two clearance lamps,
one at each side, and two
reflectors, one at or near the
front and one at or near the
rear.*
◆
Brakes that can be operated
by the driver in the towing
vehicle. They must be
designed and connected so
that they will automatically
stop the trailer if it breaks
away from the towing vehicle.
• Pole trailer weighing more than
3,000 pounds:
◆
EACH SIDE—one side
marker lamp and one
clearance lamp.
◆
REAR—two reflectors, one at
each side.*
*Every motor vehicle, trailer,
semitrailer, and pole trailer must
have two or more stop lamps (one
stop lamp is permitted on vehicles
built before January 1, 1972).
Drawbar or Towing Connection
The drawbar or towing connection
must:
• be strong enough to pull all
towed weight;
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©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• not be more than 15 feet long
unless you are towing poles,
pipes, machinery, or other
objects that cannot be easily
taken apart;
• have a white flag at least 12
inches square attached to it if it
is chain, rope, or cable.
Securing the Load
You must not drive or move any
loaded vehicle on the highway if the
load is not secure. The load must
not be able to drop, shift, leak, or
otherwise escape.
• You must use a close-fitting
cover when hauling loads which
could fall or blow onto the
roadway (e.g., dirt, sand, gravel).
• Every truck carrying logs or
pulpwood must use lock chains
to securely fasten the load.
Projecting Load
A load that extends beyond the sides
of a vehicle more than four feet or
more beyond its rear must be clearly
marked. During the day, red flags
at least 18 inches square must mark
the extremities of the load.
From sunset to sunrise, and during
any rain, smoke, or fog:
• two red lamps on the back of
the load which can be seen from
at least 500 feet to the rear;
• two red reflectors on the rear
which can be seen from 100 to
600 feet when directly in front
of low beam headlights, and
located to show the load’s full
width;
• one red lamp on each side of the
load, visible from at least 500
feet to show maximum overhang
of load.
If the trailer or motor vehicle is
transporting logs, long pulpwood,
poles, or posts that extend more
than four feet beyond the rear of
the load, you must have one amber
strobe-type lamp equipped so that
the lamp is visible from the rear and
both sides of the projecting load.
The lamp must be operational and
seen any time of day or night.
Passenger vehicles must not be
driven on any highway with a load
extending beyond the fenders on the
left side of the vehicle or extending
more than 6 inches beyond the line
of the fenders on the right side.
Slow Moving Vehicle
Farm vehicles designed for
operation at speeds less
than 25 mph must display
this sign on the rear
when using public highways (not
limited access/interstates Also these
vehicles can only be operated during
daylight hours unless equipped with
the proper lights/reflectors required
for night driving.
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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
7
PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOU—THE DRIVER
Driving an automobile is a huge responsibility. In order to drive safely,
you must be fully engaged: hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and your
mind on driving. Anything that affects your physical or mental condition
can impair your ability to drive.
Physical Conditions
It is important that you get regular vision, hearing, and general physical
check-ups. Get treatment for illnesses and avoid driving when sick.
Remember that whenever you are prescribed medication, you should ask
your doctor or pharmacist how it can affect your driving.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Do not drive
when you are tired. It is risky to drive drowsy because fatigue (being sleepy)
can:
• slow down your thought processes and reaction time;
• affect your judgment and vision;
• impair your senses and abilities;
• cause micro-sleeping (“nodding off”) or falling completely asleep.
The two main causes of drowsy driving are lack of quality/quantity of sleep
and driving at times of the day when you would normally be sleeping.
Avoid driving drowsy!
1. Don’t drive at times when you would normally be asleep.
2. Get a good night’s sleep before you travel.
3. On long trips, take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.
4. If you think you might fall asleep—find a safe place to stop and take a
nap.
5. Use the “buddy system” and switch drivers when needed.
Emotions
Emotions can have an effect on driving safely. You may not be able to drive
well if you are worried, excited, crying, angry, or depressed. Emotions can
distract you from your driving because your mind is “somewhere else.”
Your emotional state can alter the way you react—or overreact—to driving
situations. Take time to calm down and get focused before driving.
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