Drivers Ed

What does HTS stand for?

Highway Transportation System

Who or what regulates the HTS?

YOU, the driver!

What are the three components of the HTS?

People, vehicles and roadways

What if a learners permit?

Stage 1: Must be 15 and 10 months to take drivers ed and get permit, valid until 18 y/o, you MUST have your permit for 6 months before taking the driving test

What is a provisional license?

You’re allowed to operate a vehicle unsupervised but with restrictions; no violations, no phones, can’t drive 1-5AM, only 1 passenger under 21, absolutely no violations

Unrestricted license

The real deal. No restrictions, expected to follow road rules, IMPLIED CONSENT

What is implied consent?

When driving, you have implied consent to drug and alcohol tests

What are the three skills needed to operate a vehicle?

Mental, physical and social

What is the most important skill when operating a vehicle

Social

What does SRS stand for?

Supplemental restraint system/Airbags

What does the I in IDPE stand for?

Identify any real or potential hazards

What does the P in IDPE stand for?

Predict what those hazards may do/be doin

What does the D in IPDE stand for?

Decide what to do

What does the E in IPDE stand for?

Execute

What is an open zone?

An area free of obstructions (no pedestrians, no traffic, at a green light)

What is a closed zone?

An area WITH obstructions (red light, traffic, pedestrians)

What is the most important part of the Smith System

Leave yourself an out

What percent of traffic incidents are drivers error?

90%

When getting into a car always check…

Mirrors, doors, seat adjustment, wheel placement, air, dashboard

What is a blind spot?

An area around a vehicle that you can not fully see, not even in the mirrors

Where is the acceleration/gas pedal?

The right

Where is the break pedal?

The left

What is cruise control?

Allows the driver to set a speed, the car will automatically maintain that speed without the accelerator pedal

When to use cruise control

Only when speeds are 30-35 and/or on highways

When to NOT use cruise control

Bad weather, city streets, in heavy traffic

Where should the top of your head restraint be?

Slightly above your ears

How far away from the vehicle in front of you should you be?

3-4 seconds in ideal conditions

What is tread?

The grooved surface of fires

What is traction?

The friction/grip between the tires and road surface

When is traction impacted?

Speed, tire condition, roadway surface and conditions.

What is hydroplaning?

When front tires ride on water and lose contact with the roadway

What impacts hydroplaning?

Tire pressure and condition, speed, how much water there is.

Hydroplaning can happen…

At as low as 35mph and with a water depth of 1/12 of an inch

How can you maximize traction in non-ideal weather situations?

Drive/follow the tracks of the car ahead of you

What is black ice?

Ice that is invisible

When do roadways freeze?

At 32 degrees

When do bridges freeze?

Before roads; cool air above and below with no warmth from the earth

What are the steps to starting a car?

Put your foot on the breaks, make sure the car is in park, start engine (push button or turn and release key), leave the car on for 10-15 secs, turn on low beams and drive

Where is carbon monoxide emitted?

The exhaust fumes

What does “cover the break” mean?

Hover your foot over the break w/o touching it (in case of emergency)

What does “tap 6” mean?

Tapping breaks multiple times to get the break lights on, alerts other drivers that you’re stopping

What does ABS stand for?

Anti-lock breaking system

What do yellow traffic signs indicate?

Warning/caution

What is the only sign that sits on the opposite side of the road?

No passing zone

What is the order of traffic lights?

Red, yellow, green

When can you NOT change lanes?

When there are solid lines

When can you change lanes?

When there is a broken/dotted line

What is the symbol for a restricted lane?

A diamond

What action means “I’m stopping”?

Left arm bent and pointed down

What action means “I’m turning left”?

Left arm straight

What action means “I’m turning right”?

Left arm bent upwards

What is a deductible?

The out of pocket expense you pay to fix a car

What is liability insurance?

You did something wrong causing property damage or personal injury

What happens to insurance premium and deductibles?

As one goes up the other goes down

What is the RI seatbelt law?

Everyone is supposed to wear seatbelts: $40 fine per person

What is the law regarding stopped school buses?

When buses flashing lights are on and the stop sign is out, you must stop. $500 fine if you don’t

What is the law regarding right of way?

Vehicles on your right ALWAYS have the right away at uncontrolled intersections

What is the law on littering?

You can’t do it: $55-$500 fine

What is the law regarding horse drawn vehicles?

You can’t honk at them

What is the law regarding phone use?

It is permitted. Only drivers over 18 can legally use Bluetooth

If you’re stopped by a cop at night, what must you do?

Turn your inside car lights on

When must you have headlights on?

From sunset to dawn or when windshield wipers are on

What must you do when pedestrians are walking?

Yield

What is the law for cellphone use and drivers under 18?

It’s not allowed: First offense, $100 fine and a 30 day license suspension

In RI, what do most residential streets have a speed limit of?

25mph

What is BAC?

Blood alcohol concentration

When can you get charged for drunk driving?

With a BAC at or above .08

When can those under 21 get charged with drunk driving?

If they have a BAC of .02

What is the RI highbeam headlight law?

You can have them on unless: You’re approaching a vehicle within 500ft, you’re following a vehicle within 200ft

How do you know when it’s safe to pass a vehicle and return to your lane?

When you see the entire front of the vehicle and it’s wheels in the rearview

What do you do if you’re being tailgated?

Increase distance

What is backing right?

The best way to change/reverse direction

What is a roundabout?

A traffic circle

What if a turnabout?

Reversing direction

What are the parking laws?

It’s illegal to park without 3ft of a driveway, you can’t park more than 12in away from the curb, you can’t park on the sidewalk

When on a downhill slope, where do you turn your wheels?

Toward the curb

When on an uphill slope, where do you turn your wheels?

Away from the curb

If there is no curb, where do you turn your wheels?

To the right

Who are the high risk pedestrians?

Children and elderly

What do you do when bicyclists are around?

Dutch reach

When an emergency vehicle is approaching, what do you do?

Move over and stop

What is the point of no return?

The ability to stop your vehicle before entering an intersection

What is velocitation?

The feeling you’re going slower than your actual speed

What is highway hipnosis?

A trance-like state when driving for a long time w/o rests

How many teen drivers die each year in alcohol related crashes?

1900

How long does it take one drink to leave your system?

1hr and 15min

What about of beer = what about of whiskey = what amount of wine?

12oz beer = 1.5oz whiskey = 5oz wine

Types of distractions

Visual, physical, mental

What is the risk of collision while using wireless communication?

It increases by 400%

What do you do when emergency breaking?

Stomp on breaks, stay on breaks, steer the vehicle

How do you respond to skids?

Get off the gas, off the breaks, look forward and steer