Drivers Ed Exam 3

Distractions

Anything inside or outside of the vehicle that takes the driver's focus away from driving.

Visual Distraction

Taking your eyes off the road.

Manual Distraction

Taking your hands off the wheel.

Cognitive Distraction

Taking your mind off what you're doing.

Distracted Driving

The number one cause of teen deaths and involves any form of distraction while driving.

Distracted Driving Statistics

84% of driving fatalities involve some form of distraction. Using a cell phone increases the likelihood of a crash by 4 times. Texting increases the likelihood of a crash by 23 times.

Distracted Driving Laws

Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 46 states, including Virginia. Hand-held phone use is prohibited for all drivers in 14 states, including the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.

Digital Footprint

Texting and cell phone use can be tracked by officials to determine if they were a factor in a crash.

Pre-Drive Checklist

Set rules and talk with passengers, check fuel level and maintenance, program GPS or consult directions, secure loose items in the vehicle.

Managing Driver Distraction

Changing behaviors is not easy, be a friend and speak up if someone is driving distracted, stop to make a call or text, take care of pre-drive tasks before starting out.

Effects of Fatigue

Impairs reaction time, judgment, and vision, may cause the driver to miss critical information.

Dealing with Driver Fatigue

Lack of rest or sleep, operational fatigue, circadian rhythm fatigue.

Rest is the Key

Rest is essential for managing circadian rhythm fatigue.

Rumble Strips

Designed to alert sleepy drivers before they drive off the road.

Reduce Stress

Leave plenty of time, drive the posted speed limit, minimize distractions, avoid driving when angry, upset, or overly tired, relax and concentrate on driving.

Aggressive Driving

Operating a vehicle in a pushy or bold manner without regard for others.

Road Rage

Using a vehicle or another weapon to threaten or cause harm to another roadway user in response to a traffic incident.

Types of Aggression

Verbal, quiet, epic.

Alcohol Facts

Alcohol is a depressant that slows down key body functions.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

The concentration of alcohol in the blood.

Factors that Affect BAC Level

Gender, body weight, size of drink, food, time spent drinking.

Elimination of Alcohol

Alcohol can be removed through breath, sweat, and liver oxidation. Time is the only way to completely eliminate alcohol from the system.

1 Drink Impairs Driving

Even one alcoholic drink can impair driving.

Law Enforcement Response to Alcohol-Related Crashes

19 states, including Virginia, consider a BAC of 0.08% or higher as intoxication. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense.

Alcohol and The Law

Driving under the influence is a criminal offense. Underage drivers with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.08% can be fined and have their license suspended.

Implied Consent Laws

When operating a motor vehicle on public roads in Virginia, you have agreed to take a chemical test upon request. Refusing the test results in immediate license suspension.

Ignition Interlock Device

Required for individuals with a DUI conviction in Virginia. It prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected.

Drugs other than Alcohol

Over-the-counter medication, prescription medication, and illegal drugs.

Handling Peer Pressure

Influence from others of similar age. Positive and negative peer pressure.

Headlight Alignment and Speed

Virginia law requires headlights during certain times and weather conditions. Lower high-beam headlights when approaching another vehicle.

Driving in Drifting Fog

Slow down, turn on low beam headlights, and use windshield wipers.

Low Water Crossing

Flash flood conditions affect braking, steering, and engine systems. Nearly 50% of flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related.

Adjusting Belts for Proper Fit

Seat belts should be worn over the strongest skeletal bones, lap belt low and snug across hips, shoulder belt over collarbone and across chest.

Airbags in Steering Wheel

Adjust steering wheel so airbag is directed toward the chest, position hands at 8 and 4 on the steering wheel.

Front-Wheel Loss of Traction

Understeer, when the vehicle moves straight despite steering input.

Braking and Traction Loss

Hard or quick braking shifts weight to the front of the vehicle.

Acceleration and Traction Loss

Hard or quick acceleration shifts weight to the rear of the vehicle.

circadian rhythm fatigue

the body’s natural downtime