Driver Education – Safety & Traffic Regulations

Vocabulary flashcards covering key driver-education terms and safety principles from the lecture notes.

Reckless and Aggressive Driving

A serious criminal traffic offense that is more severe than careless or improper driving.

Hydroplaning

A condition in which a vehicle’s tires ride on top of water on the roadway, causing loss of traction and control.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

A braking system that prevents wheel lock-up and allows a vehicle to stop more quickly while steering is maintained.

Reaction Time

The interval between a driver perceiving a hazard and beginning to respond (braking, steering, etc.).

Stopping Distance

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a driver perceives a hazard to the point the vehicle comes to a complete stop; includes reaction time and braking distance.

Yield Sign

A triangular traffic sign that instructs drivers to slow, stop if necessary, and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians.

Octagon Sign Shape

A unique eight-sided sign shape used exclusively for STOP signs.

HOV Lane

A High-Occupancy-Vehicle lane reserved for vehicles with two or more occupants to promote carpooling and reduce congestion.

BGE Mirror Setting

Blind-zone/Glare Elimination method of adjusting side mirrors to significantly reduce blind spots.

Evasive Maneuver

A sudden steering, braking, or accelerating action taken to avoid a collision.

Skid

A loss of tire grip on the road surface, often caused by braking or accelerating too hard or driving too fast on slippery roads.

Booster Seat

A belt-positioning child restraint used with a vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder belt to elevate a child for proper belt fit.

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) – Texas First Offense

Can result in a fine up to $2,000, 3–180 days in jail, license loss up to one year, and annual surcharge fees.

DUI by a Minor

The charge applied when a driver under 21 operates a vehicle with any detectable amount of alcohol in his or her system.

Amphetamines (Driving Risk)

Stimulant drugs that impair coordination and increase crash risk despite keeping a driver awake.

Hydroplaning Speed Range

Speeds around 35 mph or higher at which tires may start to ride on water, initiating hydroplaning.

Power Steering/Brakes Failure

Loss of normal power assist when the engine stalls, requiring greater physical effort to steer or brake.

Acceleration Lane

A roadway section where entering drivers accelerate to match expressway traffic speed before merging.

Depreciation (Automobile)

The decrease in a vehicle’s value over time due to age, wear, and mileage.

Blind Spot

An area outside a vehicle that cannot be seen with the driver’s direct line of sight or conventional mirrors.

Hydroplaning Countermeasure

Reduce speed, avoid sudden steering/braking, and ensure proper tire tread depth.

Driving Fatigue

Physical or mental weariness that reduces driver alertness; mitigated by adequate rest and planned breaks every 90–120 minutes.

Cell-Phone Distraction

Any manual, visual, or cognitive diversion caused by using a mobile phone while driving.

Visual Interpretation

The mental process a driver uses to understand and act upon what the eyes perceive on the roadway.

Elderly Pedestrians

Older individuals who may move slowly or unpredictably and thus require extra driver attention.

Parallel Parking Clearance

Optimal distance of 6–18 inches between curb-side wheels and the curb when parking parallel.

Hydraulic Brake Failure Response

First action is to pump the brake pedal to build pressure; if ineffective, downshift and use parking brake.

Stuck Accelerator Procedure

Shift to neutral first, then steer to safety and shut off the engine if necessary.

Vehicle Break-Down Safety

Warn other motorists (flashers, triangles) and move the vehicle off the roadway if possible.

Booster Seat Requirement

Must be used only with a lap-and-shoulder belt, not with lap belt alone.

Sensation–Perception–Reaction

The sequence where senses receive information, the brain processes it, and the body reacts—crucial to safe driving.

Hydroplaning Indicator

A sudden lightness in steering or feeling of floating, signaling loss of tire-road contact.

Stopping on Ice

Requires gentle braking and steering in the direction of a skid to regain control.

Complex Tissue Matching

The need for diverse organ donors due to individual differences in tissue type, age, race, blood type, and gender.

Car Occupant Safety Belt Law

All occupants in a seat equipped with a safety belt must use it; driver is responsible for compliance.

Fog Driving Technique

Use low-beam headlights to reduce glare and improve visibility in foggy conditions.

Hydroplaning Prevention

Maintain proper tire pressure, adequate tread depth, and reduce speed on wet roads.