| Five Tips Return to INDEX of Teachers to Teachers There are at least five skills or five tips that every student can benefit from reviewing. You've probably heard most of these tips in some form. Five things to know 1. Hydroplaning or aquaplaning... define. 2. Can you write a letter to the editor quickly? Can you improve another person's life with words on paper? 3. Do you carry a photo of your loved ones in your wallet or purse? 4. Develop a system for capturing and retrieving information. Maintain a backup system. 5. Look for patterns ... going to school is about picking up patterns and applying that information to everyday life. (Can you see an arrow in the Federal Express logo?) Ex MORE TIPS 6. Can you talk with an adult? 7. Can you assist someone with learning some English (without looking down on them? Without condescending remarks?) www.teacherstoteachers.com mistermath@comcast.net What is the Vornle Method for preparing for and entering university? BCC SAT Method It's good to know WHERE to find an answer...that's often more important than stuffing your head with facts. hyperdictionary.com/dictionary Return to INDEX Do you expect a teacher to limit himself to 5 tips? Perhaps 5 tips in 10 minutes... but here is a link to a string of questions that students should ask themselves FOR SUBS Here are more questions What do you want to know about? What should students know when they leave high school? What should schools teach? Suggestion: Learn safe driving tips from an oil company www.countonshell.com << driving tips In case you have difficulty reaching the "Driving Dangers" web page, here is an extract: www.countonshell.com/products/booklets/ products_dangers_fs.html Driving Dangers -- reminders from Shell Oil It seems like more people are running red lights today. How can I protect myself from them? ANSWER By never assuming a green light means all okay. There's little consolation in knowing an accident isn't your fault just because you had the right of way. Your car is still damaged, and someone may be hurt. Even though you were in the right, perhaps you could have actually avoided the collision simply by looking before you leap. If your light is green, make sure other drivers, at or near the intersection, aren't trying to beat the yellow, or red. If you're at an intersection without a light, look left, right, and left again before moving out. Blowouts are scary. Should I just slam on the brakes? ANSWER: No. If you slam on the brakes you could lose control completely. If a front tire blows, the car will pull hard to the side of the blowout. The steering wheel vibrates like crazy. Hang on tight with your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Take your foot off the gas and concentrate on staying in your lane. Then slow down gradually and pull off the road to a safe location. If a rear tire blows, the back of the car will weave back and forth and vibrate. But you should handle it the same way. How do I get out of a skid? ANSWER: A lot of people hit the brakes hard when their car starts to skid. That generally makes things worse. Just take your foot off the gas and turn your steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go. This helps straighten out the car and often regains traction. Frequently it takes more than one turn of the steering wheel to correct a skid. If my car goes into deep water, what's the best way out? ANSWER: Some state officials suggest the acronym POGO for this kind of situation. Pop your safety belt. Open the window. Get Out. See more detailed information in the answer below. While this doesn't happen often, it happens enough that you should know what to do. If you do go in the water, release your safety belt immediately. (But don't release it before you go in. The safety belt will help protect you during impact with the water.) Then the best thing to do is to try to get out quickly through the window, because power windows can short-circuit in the water. If you can't get out through the window, try the door. At first, the water pressure will probably hold it closed. But don't panic. As the water rises, it will equalize the pressure and the door should open. What if my brakes just go out. What then? ANSWER: You must think and act quickly. Remember this word sequence: pump pedal, parking brake, shift down, safe place. 1. Pump the brake pedal. (Unless you have an ABS brake system. Never pump the brake pedal on ABS brakes.) Sometimes the pressure comes back. 2. Slowly try the parking brake. But don't jam it on hard if you're in a curve. That could cause a spin. 3. Shift into a lower gear (or lower range on automatic transmissions). The drag on the engine will help slow you down. Do all three of these as quickly and steadily as you can. And keep your eyes on the road. 4. Look for a safe place to guide your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road or some other safe location. In an emergency, the quicker you think and act, the safer you'll be. What about Antilock Braking Systems? ANSWER: ABS is basically a conventional braking system that is helped by computer technology. Sensors in each wheel let the computer know if all the wheels are turning at the same speed. The computer reads the data and, if needed, activates a solenoid valve so more or less force can be applied to help the car stop more evenly. If each wheel is not stopping with equal force, often a car can go into a spin. Or the driver can lose control. Under normal conditions, the antilock system will not be activated. However, should the braking force exceed the available adhesion between the tires and the road surface, the system will automatically activate. This will be recognizable by a rapid pulsation felt through the brake pedal. You should not pump the brake pedal at any time on an ABS system. Pumping could interrupt operation and actually increase stopping distance. Cars seem to pull over in front of me for no reason. Can I do anything about that? ANSWER: Virtually all cars have "blind spots," spots where it's difficult to see cars close behind them to the left or right. To tell if you're driving in someone's blind spot, just glance at his rearview mirror. If you can't see his face, assume he can't see you. Move forward or fall back so he can see you. There are probably blind spots in your car too. That's why it's always safer to quickly turn to visually check for other vehicles traveling in lanes next to yours before you pull over. The Vampire Rule Another place to check to see if you're in someone's blind spot is her outside mirror. If you can't see the driver's face, chances are she can't see you. What if the accelerator sticks? ANSWER: Try pulling it up with the toe of your shoe. If a passenger is with you, have him reach down and pull it up. You should not take your eyes off the road to reach down yourself. If your car has a manual transmission, press down on the clutch. The engine will continue to race, but you can then pull safely off the road. If it's an automatic transmission, put it in neutral. It's not a good idea to turn off the key. Some cars will lose power steering or even lock the steering wheel. I saw a hood fly open on a car on the freeway. What then? ANSWER: The driver needs to stop, but if he slams on his brakes, he could be hit from behind. In some cars, from behind the wheel you can actually see ahead by peeking through the opening between the dashboard and the hood. If not, then lean out the window to see what's ahead of you. In either case, you need to slow down smoothly and pull off the road. Suppose another car's coming right at me . . . what should I do? ANSWER: Right is often the right way. Try to escape to the right if possible. Almost anything is better than a head-on collision. But if you move to the left, the oncoming driver might correct at the last minute and turn back in the direction you've just gone. While you're moving to the right, blow your horn. And if you can't avoid a collision, brake firmly and steadily. Every mile per hour you slow down will reduce the impact. Here are some suggestions from the AAA: 1. Be courteous behind the wheel. 2. Don't honk your horn excessively. 3. Don't block the passing lane. 4. Don't switch lanes without signaling first. 5. Don't take up more than one parking spot. 6. Don't let your door hit the car parked next to you. 7. Don't tailgate. 8. Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights. 9. Don't inflict your loud music on nearby cars. 10. Allow plenty of time for every trip. QUIZ 1. How do I get out of a skid? a. Hit the brakes and turn your steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go. b. Take your foot off the gas and turn your steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go. c. Hit the brakes, hold the steering wheel at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position, then gradually steer to the right. 2. What should I do if the accelerator sticks? a. Turn off the ignition, which will free the accelerator. b. Since it will only take a second, very carefully, reach down and pull it up. c. Try pulling it up with the toe of your shoe. 3. If my brakes go out while driving, what type of brakes should I not pump? a. Parking brakes. b. Antilock Braking Systems. c. Disc brakes. 4. If my car goes into deep water, what's the best way to get out? a. Don't panic. Release your safety belt, then kick the windshield. It is designed to shatter after two kicks. You can then escape. b. Release your safety belt. Try to get out through the window. If you can't get out through the window, try the door. If it doesn't open at first, don't panic. The water pressure will equalize when the water rises in the car, then the door should open. c. Release your safety rely. Very quickly climb into the back seat (because the front of the car will sink first). Kick out the rear window because it is designed to shatter after two kicks. You can then escape. 5. If the hood of my car flies open while on the freeway, what should I do? a. Hit the brakes. The car behind you will see your hood is open and will avoid you. b. You may actually see ahead by peeking through the opening between the dashboard and the hood. If not, then lean out the window to see what's ahead. Slow down smoothly and pull off the road. c. Continue driving at your present speed because if you stop someone will run into you. Then count to three, and steer gradually to the right. 6. The leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 1 and 24 is: a. Motor Vehicle crashes b. Motor Vehicle crashes c. Motor Vehicle crashes (Hint: Someone at Shell Oil has a sense of humor) 7. According to the National Safety Council, improper driving accounts for: a. Under 40% of all crashes. b. 55% of all crashes. c. Over 75% of all crashes. 8. What do I do in the event of a blowout? a. Slam on the brakes. This will slow the car as you quickly pull off the road to a safe location. b. Hang on tight to the steering wheel with your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Take your foot off the gas and concentrate on staying in your lane. Then slow down gradually and pull off the road to a safe location. c. While holding on to the steering wheel with one hand, signal to other drivers to pass. Then quickly pull off the road to a safe location. 9. How can you avoid Road Rage? a. Be courteous behind the wheel. b. Take up more than one parking space. c. Block the passing lane. 10. Suppose another car's coming right at me...what should I do? a. Try to escape to the right if possible. Blow your horn. IF you can't avoid a collision, brake firmly and steadily. b. Try to escape to the left if possible. Blow your horn. If you can't avoid a collision, accelerate and try to outrun the collision. c. Flash your high beams. Blow your horn. Try to escape to your left while pumping your brakes. More Challenging Problems... golden rectangles and the Da Vinci Code… or www.nctm.org/ at nctm.org/high/archive.asp http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/ category_g_4_t_3.html <<<< wow! Lots of things to try… 1. Find the First Term of the Sequence Problem In an arithmetic sequence of positive numbers, the common difference is twice the first term, and the sum of the first six terms is equal to the square of the first term. Find the first term of the sequence. 2. Sum of the Reciprocals Problem The sum of two numbers is 28, and their product is 7. Find the sum of the reciprocals of the numbers. 3. Pencils Problem If p pencils cost c cents, how many pencils can be purchased for d dollars? 4. Find the Ratio of x to y Problem If the ratio of 2x - y to x + y is 2/3, what is the ratio of x to y? 5. Fair Die Problem A fair die is tossed four times. What is the probability that it lands with either 5 or 6 on top at least once? 6. Arrange Your Keys Problem In how many different arrangements can five keys be placed on a circular key ring? 7. Line Segments Problem Without lifting your pencil from start to finish, draw six line segments through all sixteen of the dots below. 8. What Time Was It? Problem In the middle of the night, I heard the clock strike one time. The clock strikes the hours (for instance, it strikes five times at 5:00) and strikes one time on the half-hour, so I did not know what time it was. What is the longest I had to stay awake before I knew what time it was? 9. Find the Area of the Triangle Problem If the perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 36 cm and if the altitude to its base is 12 cm, what is the triangle's area? 10. Probability Problem A pair of eight-sided dice have sides numbered 1 through 8. Each side has the same probability of landing face up. What is the probability that the product of the two numbers on the sides that face up exceeds 36? 12. Which Is Larger? Problem Without using a calculator or computer, determine which is larger, 23000 or 32000. (these are exponents)... In other words, if you multiply three thousands twos together, is that total more or less than multiplying two thousands threes? 13 Problem Lightning hit a tree one-fourth of the distance up the trunk from the ground and broke the tree so that its top landed 60 feet from its base, as shown. How tall was the tree originally? Answers 1. Solution 36. If a is the first term, then 2a is the common difference between successive terms, so the sum of the first six terms is a + (a + 2a) + (a + 4a) + (a + 6a) + (a + 8a) + (a + 10a) = 36a which also equals a2, so a = 36 is the first term. 2. Solution 4. We can solve the simultaneous equations xy = 7 and x + y = 28 to determine the numbers, then compute the sum of their reciprocals, but another method exists. We can let x and y be the two numbers. Then the sum of their reciprocals is 3. Solution 100 dp/c pencils. If you can buy p pencils for c cents, then you can buy 100p pencils for c dollars (100c cents), so you can buy 100p/c pencils for 1 dollar. Therefore, d dollars is the cost of d(100p/c), or 100dp/c pencils. 4. Solution 5 to 4. we have 6x - 3y = 2x + 2y, so 4x = 5y, and therefore the ratio of x to y is 5 to 4. 5. Solution approximately .80247. The number of possible ways to roll four dice is 64, or 1296: six choices for each of the four rolls. There are four ways to roll a single die once and not get a 5 or 6 (that is, to get a 1, 2, 3, or 4), so the number of ways to roll a die four times and not get a 5 or a 6 is 44, or 256. Then 1296 - 256, or 1040, ways (the rest of the possibilities) exist to roll the die four times and get a 5 or 6 at least once. Therefore, the probability of rolling a die four times and getting a 5 or a 6 at least once is 1040/1296, or 65/81, which is approximately .80247. 6. Solution Twelve arrangements. We can number the keys from 1 to 5. Since the key ring is circular, we can put the key with the number 1 on first. We next ask in how many ways we can place the other keys on the ring. A total of 4!, or twenty-four, ways exist to rearrange the four keys, but each choice has a "mirror image" that would look the same on the key ring. For example, by turning the key ring over, we can see that 1-2-3-4-5 is the same as 1-5-4-3-2. The number of arrangements is actually 24/2, or twelve. 7. Line Segments Solution The solution can be derived from the solution of the related "nine-point problem," that is, a three-by-three array of dots requires only four segments. The key to the solution is "thinking outside the box" by going beyond the sixteen points. 8. Solution It took no time, since I glanced over at the alarm clock by my bed and saw that is was 2:30. No, that method is not a fair way to solve the problem. The time was either 1:00 a.m. or it was half past an hour. If I stayed awake another half-hour and heard more than one strike, then I would know the time, since the clock would be striking on the hour. If the clock struck once, then I would know that the current time was either 1:00 or 1:30 a.m., but I would not know which, so I would have to wait another half-hour. If the clock then struck once, I would know that it was 1:30; otherwise, it would strike the hour (2:00). Therefore, the longest that I would have had to stay awake was one hour. 9. Find the Area of the Triangle Solution 60 cm2. Let x be the length of the two congruent sides of the triangle. Then the length of the base is 36 - 2x, so the altitude to the base bisects the base into two equal segments of length 18 - x, as shown in the figure. By the Pythagorean theorem, x2 = 122 + (18 - x)2 so that x2 = 144 + 324 - 36x + x2. Then 36x = 468, so x = 13. Therefore, the length of the base of the triangle is 10 cm (36 - 2(13)), and the triangle's area is 60 cm2. 10. Probability Solution 5/32. The number of possible rolls is sixty-four, and none of them yield a product greater than 36 if either of the two dice land with the 1, 2, 3, or 4 faceup. Letting (a, b) denote a roll of a on the first die and b on the second die, the only rolls that yield a product greater than 36 are (5, 8), (6, 7), (6, 8), (7, 6), (7, 7), (7, 8), (8, 5), (8, 6), (8, 7), and (8, 8). Therefore, the probability that the product of the numbers rolled is greater than 36 is 10/64, or 5/32. 12 Which Is Larger? Solution 32000 = (32)1000 = 91000 is greater than 23000 = (23)1000 = 81000. 13 How Tall Was the Tree? Solution Approximately 84.85 feet tall. Let h be the height, in feet, of the tree before it fell. Then (h/4)2 + 602 = (3h/4)2, so h2/16 + 3600 = 9h2/16. Solving for h reveals that h2/2 = 3600, so h = , and the original height of the tree equals , or approximately 84.85 feet. These problems come FROM nctm.org |
| For a more complete list of questions for high school students to consider ("What is hydroplaning?"), see also the "FOR SUBS" list "Just Enough Math" is a description of all the math you need to study. I'm a math teacher. I consider math to be a secondary skill, supporting the other disciplines. Like spelling and grammar, good math supports our ability to communicate and understand the world. But there are many people who are successful in their lives without needing to know the quadratic formula or without perfect spelling skills. With that perspective, I offer some tips that I communicate with my students when I teach math. What good is knowing how to find the factors of a number if you don't know how to avoid hydroplaning? -- S McCrea Challenging Problems Some challenging problems… www.nctm.org It is suggested that parents and students study they challenging problems in order to build a happy relationship with math. Math is not just about skills and rote memorization of the multiplication table. It's a way of looking at the world with a critical and skeptical eye. Math teaches us how to analyze a situation in a systematic way...step by step, without skipping steps. 1. Click here for interesting problems on www.nctm.org 2. Why not visit HIGHSCHOOLHUB.org? 3. A week shouldn't pass without a visit to www.number2.com. 4. How much wood can a woodchuck chuck? 5. www.math-success.com is an easy link to reach Challenging Problems… 6. A baseball diamond is a square with side length of 90 ft. The pitcher's mound is 60 ft. 6 in. from home plate and lies on the line between home plate and second base. How far is the pitcher's mound from first base? 7. In how many different arrangements can five keys be placed on a circular key ring? 8. A train, traveling at constant speed, takes 20 seconds from the time it first enters a tunnel that is 300 meters long until it completely emerges from the tunnel. One of the stationary ceiling lights in the tunnel is directly above the train for 10 seconds. Find the length of the train. 9. If you ask Batman's nemesis, Catwoman, how many cats she has, she answers with a riddle: "Five-sixths of my cats plus seven." How many cats does Catwoman have? 10. Which of the following numbers become smaller when squared: -1/2, 0, 1/3, 6/7, 3/2, and 5? 11. During the first four days of Arthur's new job, he had to wake up at 5:30, 5:30, 7:10, and 7:30. On average, at what time did he have to wake up each morning? 12. The pattern AABBBCCCCAABBBCCCC continuously repeats. What is the 2003rd letter in the pattern? 13. The number 3843 has two factors between 60 and 70. What are they? (Hint: think about (3844 - 1) These come from nctm.org Some hints below www.teacherstoteachers.com mistermath@comcast.net What is the Vornle Method for preparing for and entering university? BCC SAT Method Financial Math Problems... What should every student know how to calculate? 1. Estimate the monthly cost of a 15-year mortgage at 6% interest for $100,000. 2. How much would you need to save each month if you wanted to retire with a monthly income of $4,000? What age would you retire and how long would your savings last? How much would you expect to have in your estate at the time of your death? 3. What is the cost of keeping the penny in circulation? www.retirethepenny.org Estimate the cost of removing the penny. How could the inflationary impact of retiring the penny be reduced? Hints 13. Think about the formula for x squared minus nine... difference of a perfect square Answers to Shell "Driving Dangers" Quiz: 1. b 2. c 3. b 4. b 5. b 6. a,b,c 7. c 8. b 9. a 10. a Copyright © 1998 Shell Oil Company. More Challenging Problems What should I know about parking safety? (Another set of tips from Shell Oil) In most parking lots, you either have to back in or back out. If you back in, then you can drive out directly, reducing your chances of being trapped. Lots. Where and how you choose to park can go a long way toward keeping you safer. When possible, back into a parking space. Should you need to, you'll be able to drive out with less chance of someone trapping you. Try to park close to the building entrance; this will reduce the time you're alone outside your car. If you know you're going to be working late, move your car to a well-lighted area, closer to the exit. Such a precaution may reduce your risk at night. If you're in a parking lot, always choose a spot that will be well-lighted and away from shrubs and bushes so you can see under and around your car as you approach it. Should I do anything special in parking garages? ANSWER: Yes. Again, park in a well-lighted spot, ground level if available, close to the parking attendant station. If you can't do that, try to park close to the elevators or stairwell near the building entrance. Spend as little time as possible going to and from your car. Try to stay where you can be seen by others because there's safety in numbers. If you have any concerns at all, call the building's security service and have someone accompany you to your car. Parking garages can be dangerous, especially at night. If you have a choice between the elevator or stairs, take the elevator. It's quicker and you're less likely to come in contact with someone loitering there. Have a security guard accompany you to your car if possible. Always look inside and around your car before getting in. Then lock the doors and drive away quickly. If I lock my car before I leave it, is that enough? ANSWER: No. You should take additional precautions. If you have a two-door car, flip your passenger seat forward when you're leaving your vehicle. If it's a four-door car, move the driver seat forward. Upon your return, if you see that it has been returned to its original position, go back to the building you came from immediately and notify security or the police. Someone could be hiding on the back floorboard. As you approach your car, don't just look around it; look under it as well. Criminals sometimes hide there. I hear a lot about carjackings. Is there any way to avoid them? ANSWER: The FBI estimates that approximately 25,000 carjackings occur in the U.S. each year. There are defensive techniques you can use that might keep you from becoming a carjacking victim. 1. Always keep your doors locked. And scan ahead and behind as you drive. Look for individuals who may be loitering near an intersection. 2. If it looks as if you may be driving into a potentially dangerous situation at an upcoming intersection, slow down and, if you can do so safely, time the light to avoid stopping. Be sure there is no cross traffic that could cause a collision. 3. Try to keep escape routes open. Stop far enough behind the car in front of you so that you can see its back tires touching the pavement. That way, if you have to pull out quickly, you won't have to back up first. Also, stay in the left-hand lane when approaching an intersection. You'll be farther from anyone approaching you from the curb, and there will be less chance of your being "boxed in" by a car on your left and a car parked at the curb. When stopping, leave enough distance between you and the car in front of you to see the car's back tires touching the pavement. Then you'll be able to pull out quickly if necessary. What's that "bump-and-run" carjacking thing? ANSWER: It's a technique carjackers often employ. People in one car pull up behind an unsuspecting driver and bump that driver's car. When the driver gets out to inspect the damage, the carjackers forcibly take control of the car and the driver. If you believe that you've been intentionally bumped, don't stop and get out of the car. Drive to a safe, public place close by to check the damage. You'll be a lot less vulnerable. Got any safety "trip tips"? ANSWER: Do plan your trip before you leave. Mark your route (how you're going and where you plan to stop) on a map. Give a copy of that plan (with appropriate phone numbers where you can be reached and an estimated time of arrival) to a family member, friend or business associate. Don't take maps or other obvious travel aids into rest stops or restaurants. You don't want to call attention to the fact that you have a long way to travel. Do check your car out completely before you get on the road. Many breakdowns are avoidable, especially those involving fuel, oil, cooling or electrical problems. Don't think just because you have a cellular phone that you won't need to use a public one. Carry change just in case. Do use valet parking at hotels and restaurants. It's safer than spending too much time in the parking lots. Don't try to fix a flat if you think you are in an unsafe area. Drive slowly to a service station or police station. If you think you're being followed, don't go home. You'll just be bringing a potential attacker to your home and loved ones. Drive to a well-lighted public place like a hospital, store, service station or police station. Then draw attention to yourself. Lean on your horn if you have to. Should I always have my doors locked when I'm driving? ANSWER: Yes. All your doors. And you should always have your windows rolled up. If it's hot and you don't have air conditioning, roll your windows down just enough to allow air to flow in, but not enough to allow someone to get his hand in the car. What do I do if my car just conks out? ANSWER: If your car comes to a stop slowly, try to pull safely off the road, out of the way of traffic. Stay in your car. If you have a mobile phone, call for help and give them your location. If you don't have a roadside assistance service, call the police. If you don't have a phone, stick a white handkerchief or scarf part way out your window. This will alert passersby that you need assistance. If someone does stop to help you, stay inside your car with all the doors locked and the windows rolled up high enough so no one can get a hand inside the car. Tell them what kind of help you need. If their concern is genuine, they'll make a call for you or alert someone who can help you at their next stop. Don't get out and raise the hood of your car. This blocks your view of oncoming traffic (one of whom may be a policeman) and it signals the potential criminal that your car is immobile. You should always carry a "Call Police" window sign in your glove compartment. That way many drivers will see that you need help, and if someone does stop that you are suspicious of, you can tell him that someone saw your sign and has already contacted the police, who are currently enroute. Is having a phone in the car a good idea? ANSWER: Yes. But it can be dangerous if not used properly. People with a phone in their car run a 34% higher risk of having a collision. If you must dial, wait until you are stopped at a traffic light, or better still, pull safely off the road, stop, then dial. If you preprogram your phone to activate 9-1-1, or other emergency numbers, you'll be able to react much more quickly in an emergency. Speakerphone units that allow you to talk and listen without holding a receiver are better, but they can still be dangerous if they pull your attention away from the road. It's best to use the phone in the car only as an emergency aid, or to let people at your destination know in advance if you are going to be late. That's better than trying to drive too fast to get there on time. I seem to get more tired when I drive alone. What can I do about it? ANSWER: Alertness levels drop sharply about the time one usually goes to bed. Three hours of driving after one's normal bedtime produces an almost uncontrollable drowsiness in nine out of ten drivers. Driver fatigue can be a killer. It's especially dangerous when you are alone. Here are some things you can do to help stay awake: 1. Don't start a trip late in the day. Get plenty of sleep before you drive. 2. Avoid long drives at night. The glare of lights outside and from your dashboard increases the chance of highway hypnosis. 3. Adjust your car's environment to help you stay awake. Keep the temperature cool. Don't use cruise control. Keep your body involved in the drive. 4. Use good posture. Keep your head up, shoulders back, buttocks tucked against the seat back, legs not fully extended. 5. Take frequent breaks. Stop at well-lighted rest areas or service stations, and get out of the car to stretch or have a snack. 6. Avoid alcohol entirely. 7. Don't allow your eyes to become fatigued. Wear sunglasses to fight glare during the day. 8. Break the monotony. Vary your speed levels. Chew gum. Talk to yourself. If you absolutely cannot keep your eyes open, the best remedy is to stop and get some sleep. Staying at a motel for the night is usually the safest bet. If you cannot find a motel, it is still better to be off the road than to fall asleep while driving. If you do pull off the road to take a quick nap, be sure you are safely off the road, preferably at a well-lighted, secure rest area, service plaza or truck stop, with all doors locked. If a security guard is present, ask him or her to keep an eye on your car while you're napping. What if I plan and prepare but someone confronts me anyway? ANSWER: Your foremost concern should be your personal safety. If you are confronted by a robber or a carjacker, don't resist. Give up your purse, your wallet, your keys quickly. Do not attempt to reason with a robber. Give him what he wants. Try to remember what the individual looks like. Remember, possessions can be replaced. Your life can't be. Don't take chances to save possessions. The only thing that's irreplaceable is your life. Potential crime prevention can be found in the palm of your hand. Have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle. Fumbling to find them and unlocking your car takes time and makes you vulnerable. A small flashlight in your keychain lets you see your door locks and ignition easier at night. Quicker starts. Quicker getaways. Pepper spray or mace can be attached to your keychain so you don't have to fumble for it if you ever need it. but be aware that depending on wind direction, spray could blow back in your face. It also could be taken and used against you. Sometimes you have to give your keys to others, such as when you valet park. Keychains that let you easily separate your car keys from your home keys keep individuals from gaining access to your home. This has been written in cooperation with the National Crime Prevention Council (www.weprevent.org) and the National Safety Council (www.nsc.org). It contains general recommendations that we believe to be helpful; however, every emergency is different. The individual driver must decide what to do in any particular case. Copyright © 1999 Shell Oil Company. All rights reserved. If you have suggestions for more information that students should remember after they leave high school, send your ideas to mistermath@comcast.net |