Driving School: Unit 5, Lessons 3 and 4

Decide

third step of the IPDE Process, to make a choice about something; to choose something after thinking about it

Execute

fourth step of the IPDE Process, meaning you will carry out your decision in order to avoid conflict

Things you can decide

to change speed, change direction, and decide to communicate

Actions to change speed

decelerate, brake, or accelerate

Actions to change direction

left or right, even a lane change

Space cushion

area of space all around your vehicle; an escape path into an open zone to avoid conflict

Actions to communicate

lights, horn, ,vehicle position, eye contact, and body movement

What is the safest position in traffic?

Where the fewest vehicles surround you

Minimize a hazar

reduce the possibility of conflict

How would one minimize a hazar

by deciding to put more distance between yourself and the hazard

Should you manage multiple hazards at once?

NO

What should you do if there are multiple hazards at once?

adjust your speed to let them separate so you can deal with only one at a time

Compromised space

giving as much space as possible to the greater hazard

What should you do if hazards cannot be minimized or separated?

Compromise space

Important actions you will execute are

control speed, steer, and communicate

Communicate using

headlights, taillights, and brake lights; turn-signal lights; parking lights and hazard flashers; back up lights, horn, vehicle position; eye contact and body movement; combine actions

When to use headlights

during periods of reduced visibility and even during the day

When to use turn-signal lights

three to five seconds before making any change in direction

When to use parking lights

when parked along the roadway but not in an emergency situation

When to use hazard flashers

if you vehicle is disabled

When to use back-up lights

when you are backing up duh

When to use horn

Light tap for warnings, loud blast for emergencies

What does the IPDE Process and the Zone Control System help with?

Executing maneuvers to reduce hazards

What are maneuvers?

actions, which you should use to reduce hazards

Selective use of IPDE

conditions may change that cause you not to need to use all steps, and can start a new cycle before completing the old one