TADRA and Georgia Driving Safety - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on TADRA, GDL, night driving, tire safety, alcohol and DUI laws in Georgia.

TADRA (Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act)

Georgia law enacted in 1997 to reduce fatal crashes involving teenage drivers.

Graduated Driver’s License (GDL)

Three-step licensing process for ages 15–18: Instructional Permit (CP), Provisional License (D), and Full License (C).

Instructional Permit (Class CP)

Issued at age 15 after passing a written exam; may drive only with a licensed person age 21+ in the passenger seat.

Provisional License (Class D)

Granted at ages 16–17 after holding the permit for 12 months and 1 day, completing Joshua’s Law requirements (30 hours classroom/6 hours behind-the-wheel) and passing a road skills test.

Full License (Class C)

Final step after the Provisional License.

Joshua’s Law

Georgia requirement for teen drivers: 30 hours of classroom/online instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.

9 o'clock steering hand position

Left hand at 9, right hand at 3 on the steering wheel; some airbags may require 8 and 4; check the owner's manual.

Airbag alternative hand position (8 o'clock / 4 o'clock)

Steering hand placement used when airbags may deploy; verify with owner’s manual.

Two-hands-on-the-wheel rule

Keep both hands on the wheel except for quick, safe tasks (e.g., using turn signals).

Night driving risks

Night driving increases glare and reduces visibility; teen fatal crash rate is about four times higher at night.

Peripheral vision (fringe vision)

Use peripheral vision to scan for objects near your travel path and check mirrors.

Outer edge headlight technique

Look at the outer edges of headlight beams to identify potential dangers.

Three-second rule

Maintain at least a three-second space margin behind the vehicle in front; measure by counting after they pass a reference point.

Reference-point measurement (counting method)

Count seconds or use a reference point to measure following distance; pass the point before finishing the count means you’re too close.

Increased following distance at night/bad weather

Increase following distance in poor conditions to compensate for reduced visibility.

Stopping distance behind another vehicle

Stop far enough back to see the back tires of the car in front.

Tire pressure (PSI) check

Use a tire pressure gauge; PSI value is on the door jamb.

Monthly tire check

Check tire pressure and inspect wear/damage monthly or before long trips.

Penny test for tread depth

Use Lincoln’s penny to estimate tread depth: if tread covers part of Lincoln’s head, tread is safe; if not, replacement may be needed.

Alcohol prevalence and underage drinking

Alcohol is a leading cause of preventable deaths; underage drinking is prohibited (Georgia: under 21).

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream; higher BAC impairs coordination, judgment, and driving ability.

Zero Tolerance Law (Georgia)

Under-21 drivers may not drive with a BAC of 0.02 or greater.

BAC 0.02 effects

Some loss of judgment, relaxation, slight warmth, altered mood, and decline in visual function.

BAC 0.05 effects

Exaggerated behavior, reduced coordination, poorer judgment, lower alertness, and impaired tracking of moving objects.

BAC 0.08 effects

Poor muscle coordination, harder to detect danger, impaired judgment and memory, and reduced steering ability.

DUI consequences in Georgia (general)

First offense can include jail time, license suspension up to 1 year, fines, and community service; IID may be required; no limited permit for under-21.

First offense DUI (Georgia)

Possible jail time; license suspension up to 1 year; fines and community service; IID may be required for older drivers; no limited permit for under-21.

Under-21 DUI with BAC < .08

License suspended for at least 6 months; no limited permit.

Under-21 DUI with BAC ≥ .08 or refusal

License suspended for at least 12 months; no limited permit.

Implied Consent Law

Operating a vehicle implies consent to chemical testing; refusal can lead to a 1-year license suspension.

Felony DUI

A fourth DUI conviction within 10 years is a Georgia felony with harsher penalties.

Alcohol-related fatalities (US 2020)

11,654 fatalities in the U.S.; 402 in Georgia due to alcohol-related crashes.

Speeding deaths (US 2020)

11,258 speeding-related deaths in the U.S.; 380 in Georgia.