2013 Oregon Driver Manual - Oregon Department of Transportation

• It is illegal to have a TV or video monitor that is visible to the
driver while operating a vehicle. This includes TV broadcasts or
images from a digital video disc (DVD) or video game. Anything that
distracts your eyes or attention from the road is dangerous.
External Passengers
Oregon law prohibits anyone under 18 years old to ride on the hood,
fender, running board, or other external part of a vehicle, including a
pickup bed.
Adults should not ride in a pickup bed or any external part of the
vehicle. If you are in an accident, adults in the pickup bed who are not
restrained are likely to be thrown from the vehicle, causing serious injury
or even death.
You cannot carry a dog on an external part of a vehicle, including a
pickup bed, unless it is protected by framework, carrier, or other device to
keep it from falling from the vehicle. A dog should ride in the back seat in
a secured carrier or animal safety belt. Do not hold an animal in your lap
or arms when driving.
Dealing With Emergencies
Although most equipment failures can be avoided by good maintenance,
there are times when equipment may still fail, resulting in a driving
emergency that calls for you to take fast action.
A vehicle needs maintenance. Otherwise, it becomes unsafe to drive and
wastes fuel. Tires, brakes, steering, and lights should be checked often.
Know your vehicle. Check your vehicle owner’s manual. An engine tuneup
at regular intervals will improve fuel economy and lessen the risk of an
engine failure that could tie up traffi c or even cause a crash.
Check your tires for correct tire pressure, uneven tread wear, and cuts or
bumps that might cause a blowout. Bald tires skid easily and require more
stopping distance on wet roads. Maintain tires at recommended pressures
for both safety and fuel economy. Routinely check tire pressure when tires
are cold.
Any of the following signals may warn you of trouble with your brakes:
• The pedal, when depressed, is less than 1½ inches from the fl oor.
• The vehicle pulls right or left when you apply the brakes.
• An intermittent chirping sound may come from disc brakes.
• A metal-to-metal grinding sound occurs when you depress the brake pedal.
• The brakes tend to grab or take hold violently.
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