Driver Education Notes      Mr Brown

 

Chapter 1

Assessing and Managing Risk:

 

            The Highway Transportation System

                        Cars, Trucks, streets highways, drivers, cyclists, & pedestrians

                                    1. Vehicles.     2. People         3. Highways

                                                How are each part regulated?

                        The goal of the HTS:  move people and goods safely and efficiently.

                                    Tension between SAFE and EFFICIENT

 

            SIPDE

                        Search

                        Identify

                        Predict

                        Decide

                        Execute          Give realistic highway examples of each.

 

            Smith System  -   5 Keys to "space cushion" driving.

                        Aim high and Look ahead, not down

                        Keep your eyes moving  -  "eye lead time"

                        Get the big picture

                        Make sure others see you

                        Leave yourself a way out or margin of safety

                                    Harold Smith started a driving school in 1952.

                                                            http://www.smith-system.com/index.shtml

 

            Risk Management

                        Understanding and Reducing Risk

                                    Keep your car in top condition

                                    Anticipate the actions of others

                                    Take steps to protect yourself and others

                                    Drive only when you're in sound physical and mental condition

                                    Make a conscious effort to develop your driving skills

                        Managing Visibility, Time and Space

 

Chapter 2

            Knowing Yourself:

                        Emotions Affect Your Driving Ability  ( Road Rage is the issue)

                                    How do emotions Affect Your Driving?

                                    -Inattention, Lack of Concentration, Ability to Process Information

                                    How can you control your emotions?

                                    -Maintain a mature attitude, Identify troublesome situations,

                                    -plan ahead, expect mistakes from others, don't drive when upset,

                                    -don't drive when depressed, train your self always to use correct

                                                Procedures.

                        How Vision Affects Your Ability to Drive

                        Temporary Physical Conditions that Affect Your Ability to Drive

                        Long-Term Physical factors that Affect Driving Ability

 

 

 

Chapter 10

            Driving Environments:

                        Managing Visibility, Time, and Space

                                    -2 second rule.    -breaking distance.

                        Visibility, Time, and Space on Urban Streets

                        Visibility, Time, and Space on Rural Roads

                        Visibility, Time, and Space, on Multiple-Lane Highways

 

 

Chapter 11

            Light and Weather Conditions

                        Driving Safely in Low Light and at Night

                        Visibility, Bright Light, and Glare.

                        Minimizing Risk in Rain and Snow

                                    Hydroplaning

 

Chapter 12

            Sharing the Roadway

                        Sharing the Roadway with Pedestrians and Animals

                                    Animals-Break and hold, do not turn right or left.

                                    Pedestrians - They have the right of Way in Cross Walks

                                                Make Eye contact - Driver to Pedestrian and Ped. to Driver

                        Sharing the Roadway with Motorcycles and Bicycles.

                                    Motorcycles & Bicycles are small and hard to see.

                                    Motorcycles maneuver very quickly: go fast, turn quick, & stop fast!

                        Sharing the Roadway with Other Vehicles.

                                    Driving with Trucks:  They are big and block your vision.

                                                                        They have very long stopping distances.

                        Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings.

 

Chapter 13

            Natural Laws and Driving  (It's all about Physics!)

                        Natural Laws and the Movement of Your Car.

                        Natural Laws and Steering and Braking.

                        Using Natural Laws to Manage Skids.

                        Natural Laws, Risk Management and Collisions.

                                    Air Bag and Seat Belt Video.

                                    We discussed Inertia, friction, momentum, center of mass  and gravity

Chapter 14

            Responding to an Emergency

                        Brake, Engine, and Steering Failures.

                        Tire Failures and Other Serious Problems

                        Waiting for Help and Protecting the Scene.

                        First-Aid Guidelines and Procedures.

 

Chapter 17

            Planning a Trip

                        Preparing Yourself and Your Car for a Short Trip.

                        Getting Ready for a Long Trip.

                        Loading and Driving with a Trailer.

                        Driving Safely in a Recreational Vehicle.  (they are very Big!)