Advantages of Driver’s Ed
Learn safe driving techniques and practices
obtain your senior license (which has unrestricted driving privileges at 17 years old)
Insurance discount of 10% until age 25
Highway Transportation System (HTS)
its purpose is to move people and goods safely, economically, and efficiently
its components are: roadways, vehicles (all types) and drivers
Driver responsibility
drivers are responsible for 90% of all crashes
their responsibilities include: driving when physically and emotionally fit, obeying all traffic laws, maintaining a safe vehicle, and being a courteous driver
Move over law
on highways, cars must leave the lane next to an emergency vehicle, (tow trucks, ambulances, etc.) free;
f you cannot move over, you must slow down
penalty - 2 points on your license + $275 + court costs
11 points on your license = automatic license suspension
Cell phones
hands free only, except to call 911
penalty - 5 points on your license + $200 fine + 4 month permit/license suspension; same penalty for texting
11 points on your license = automatic license suspension
Windshield wipers
if you are using your windshield wipers in the rain/snow, you must turn on your low beam headlights
Construction zones
2 speeding tickets in a work zone = automatic license suspension; additional penalties are: double points and double fines
11 points on your license = automatic license suspension
highway transportation system (HTS)
the _____ ______ _______ has three parts: people, vehicles, and roadways
risk
the main ____ of driving is the possibility of a conflict that leads to a collision
vehicle code
the ____ ______ code is used by federal, state, and local government to regulate the highway transportation system
driving task
the ____ _____ includes all the social, physical, and mental skills requires for low-risk driving
IPDE process
a process of seeing, thinking, and responding is called the __ _______
Smith System
the ____ _______ helps drivers develop good seeing habits
Zone Control system
A method for managing the space around your vehicle is called the __ _________________
defensive driver
A ________________ drives in a way that reduces conflicts
collision
A ______ is the product of human error
graduated driver licensing program
A _______________ requires a young driver to go through a series of licensing stages
State department of Motor vehicles
sets rules to assure that driver and vehicle standards are met
state and local law enforcement agencies
ensure that the laws are obeyed
federal, state, and local governments
enforce the national guidelines which make up the vehicle code
courts (judicial)
decide whether drivers charged with violating the laws are guilty or innocent
highway traffic engineers
plan, build, and maintain the complex system of roadways
Preparing to drive
get into the car and lock the doors
put the key in the ignition but do NOT start the car
fasten the seat belt
adjust the seat, mirrors (rear view and side mirrors) & the head restraint (head rest)
put foot on the brake, start the car and shift into “DRIVE”
check rear view mirror and left side mirror, signal left, then turn your had to check your blind spot, when clear and safe, pull out into traffic
crash avoidance systems: IPDE system
Identify
Predict
Decide
Execute
crash avoidance systems: SAFE system
Scan
Anticipate
Figure out
Execute
crash avoidance systems: SMITH system
aim high in Steering
get the big picture
keep your eyes moving
leave yourself an “OUT” (escape route)
make sure that they see you
guide sign
Information on routes, service areas, and points of interest are provided on a ______________; they are usually horizontal rectangular signs showing direction or special information for drivers
regulatory sign
a ______________ tells you about the laws that you must obey; tells drivers about important rules to follow
minimum speed limit
to keep traffic moving, a __________________ is set on some primary highways and expressways
warning sign
a yellow, diamond shaped sign that alerts you to possible hazards is called a _______________; they are diamond shaped with black letters or symbols warning drivers of hazards on the road
school zone
two signs used in a _________ alert drivers to children who might dart out into the street without looking
basic speed law
obey the _________ when traffic, roadway, or weather conditions are bad
shared left-turn
to help drivers make safe turns in the middle of the block, a __________ lane is used in many cities
advisory speed limit
special conditions such as a sharp curve are often posted with an ___________ sign
flashing signal
at some intersections, a _________ alerts drivers to dangerous conditions
roadway markings
painted solid lines, broken lines, arrows, or words are called ____________
lane signal
changes in travel direction during rush-hour traffic are indicated by a _________ light hanging overhead
right-turn-on-red
when a traffic signal is red, the _____________ law allows a driver to turn right
international signs
drivers who travel from country to country can understand the meaning of ____________ because they use symbols rather than words
pedestrian signal
at heavily traveled intersections, a _________ is mounted near traffic lights
traffic signals
all __________ have specific colors to help traffic flow smoothly
ABS alert light
This indicates the antilock braking system is functioning
cruise control
this optional device allows you to set a constant speed in your vehicle
accelerator pedal
the driver controls the speed of the vehicle with this device
head restraint
this padded safety device helps reduce whiplash injuries in a collision
hazard flasher
use this device to warn other drivers of a vehicle breakdown or problem
foot-brake pedal
you must have your foot on this device when shifting from parking gear to a driving gear
odometer
this gauge on the instrument panel shows the number of miles a vehicle has been driven
hood-release lever
you must use this device before checking or replacing any engine fluids
clutch pedal
this device allows the driver to change gears when driving a stick shift vehicle
shift indicator
this device indicates the gear being used by the driver or the need to change to a higher gear
riding the clutch
the poor driving habit of resting your foot on the clutch pedal while driving a stick shift vehicle
blind-spot area
an area that may not be visible to the driver when looking in the rearview or sideview mirror
downshifting
changing from a higher to lower gear to allow the engine to have greater pulling or braking power while driving
targeting
looking far ahead in the middle of your intended path of travel
friction point
the point at which the clutch allows the engine to connect to the transmission to allow the vehicle to move
safety belt alert light
reminds you to fasten your seatbelt
fuel gauge
shows the amount of fuel in tank
temperature warning light or gauge (H)
it warns you when the engine fluid is overheating
oil pressure warning light
when the oil is not circulating at the proper pressure
air bag warning light
if the air bags are in proper working condition
parking break warning light
it tells you that the parking break is on, reminds you to release it before moving
left and right signals flashing
tells driver there is something wrong, hazards
ABS alert light
tells the driver that the ABS is not functioning properly (ABS keeps wheels from locking if the driver breaks hard)
brake system warning light
tells the driver that the breaks have a malfunction
tachometer
engine revolution per minute (shouldnt be past 4 or 5)
left turns
look in your rearview and side view mirrors and turn your head to the left before moving into the left lane
signal 100 ft
begin reducing speed and steer hand-over-hand remaining as close to the curb as possible
make sure your wheels are straight before making the turn because if you are rear ended by another vehicle you will be entering oncoming traffic and you will be t-boned resulting in a fatality or serious injury
remember to YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS
unprotected left turns
most turns because it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that oncoming traffic is at least 2 blocks away before turning
protected left turn
has a green arrow which stops oncoming traffic and permits a safe turn
when the arrow turns to a red arrow, the turn is prohibited
when the arrow changes to a green light, the turn becomes an unprotected turn because the driver has to make sure that it is safe to complete the turn
right turns
look in your rearview and sideview mirrors and turn your head to the RIGHT before moving into the right lane
signal 100 ft
begin reducing speed and steer hand-over-hand remaining as close to the curb as possible while YIELDING TO ANY PEDESTRIANS WHO ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY
Safety devices
seat belts
airbags
head rests
child restraints
seat belt use
in NYS all drivers and passengers must be buckled up no matter where they are seated
the driver can be ticketed and fine for each passenger under 16 who is not wearing a seat belt
if you are wearing a seatbelt, your chance of being killed or seriously injured is at least 50% less than if you are not wearing one
child safety seats and restraints
from birth to 9 months use an infant safety seat facing the rear of the car; the back of the infant seat should be against the back of the front seat of the car
from 9 months to 7 years old use a toddler safety seat
from 8 years and older use a regular seat belt
Headrests
make sure that the padded portion of the headrest is even with the back of your head
this prevents neck injuries also known as whiplash
stop signs
you must come to a complete stop before the stop line or at the crosswalk for a full TWO seconds; failure to stop for a complete 2 seconds is called a rolling stop which is a ticket able offense
yield right of way
at about 200 ft before the intersection, notice the yield right of way sign
you must slow down and be prepared to bring the car to a complete stop
failure to yield the right of way is a leading cause of accidents
driving on a main thoroughfare which crosses intersections
Watch traffic entering from side streets which cross the intersection
Watch for parked cars getting ready to leave a parking space: (i.e. wheels turned toward the street, brake or signal lights, and exhaust from the tail pipe, etc.)
Lanes - drive in the RIGHT LANE except for making left turns, passing, or going around an obstruction
Left turners - be aware that impatient drivers stuck behind a person making a left turn will sometimes DART into the right lane
uncontrolled intersections
not controlled by any traffic signals or signs; Treat them as if you face a yield right of way sign - Slow down and be prepared to bring the car to a full stop!
First car in the intersection has the right of way
Cars going STRAIGHT have the right of way over cars that are turning
TWO cars meeting at an unmarked intersection at the same time, the car to the RIGHT has the right of way.
It’s better to yield than argue!
obstructed intersections
Large shrubs, large trucks, and any other large object or vehicle that blocks your vision is a potential HAZARD therefore, treat it like a yield right of way sign (SLOW DOWN AND BE PREPARED TO STOP!)
escape path
place to go in case of possible conflict
orderly visual search pattern
process of searching critical areas in a regular sequence
zones
six areas of space around vehicle
path of travel
the space your vehicle will occupy
open zone
a space when you can drive free of restrictions to your line of sight or path of travel
space cushion
area of space around the vehicle that is free of restrictions, hazards, and conflicts when you use it
field of vision
all of the area that is visible to the driver when looking straight ahead
closed zone
a space not open because of restrictions in your line of sight or path of travel
compromise space
give as much space as possible to the greater hazard
minimize a hazard
reducing risk by putting more distance between yourself and the hazard
traction
the gripping power between the tire and the road surface
selective seeing
selecting and identifying only those clues for restrictions, hazards, or conflicts that are important to your driving task
target area
area far ahead in your path of travel and the area to the left and right
12-15 second range
the recommended searching area for identifying changes in your line of sigh and path of travel
peripheral vision
the part of the field of vision surrounding the central vision
4-6 second range
the searching range where you need to get the final update of how you are controlling your intended path of travel
scanning
when the driver follows the process of an orderly visual search pattern
separate hazards
adjusting your speed in order to handle one hazard at a time
central vision
the part of a filed of vision where you can see clearly and sharply
line of sight
the distance you can see ahead in the direction you are looking
cross buck
sign found AT railroad tracks