A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Air bags and anti-lock brakes are built to protect you, but only if you use them right. Sit back, buckle up, keep kids in back, and let ABS do the pumping for you.
For the best air bag protection:
Use air bags together with your lap and shoulder belt
Sit as far back from the steering wheel as possible
Children in rear-facing seats never ride in front of a passenger air bag
Children under 13 ride buckled in a rear seat, in a child seat or seat belt
Pregnant women: place the lap belt under the abdomen, as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt over the rounding of the belly.
A system that helps keep your wheels from locking so you can control the car. When the computer detects a wheel locking, ABS pumps the brakes much faster.
You brake hard on a wet road, hear a rumble, and feel the pedal vibrate under your foot. That's normal: ABS is pumping the brakes much faster so the wheels don't lock and you keep control.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How far back from the steering wheel should you sit for the best air bag protection?
Less than 5 inches
10 to 12 inches
20 to 24 inches
As close as possible
Answer: 10 to 12 inches
Try to keep 10-12 inches between the steering wheel and your chest for the best air bag protection.
