Driver's Ed Midterm

3/6/23

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