Chapter 1Driving and Mobility

Driver Education Information

Provide an opportunity to learn as much of the information and skills you need to be a good driver

Gives you the potential to become an alert, knowledgeable, and skillful driver, capable of handling a wide range of driving situations

Helps you to understand some of the problems of driving

You will gain useful knowledge to :◦Manage visibility, time, and space◦Become award of limiting factors

Useful knowledge

You must understand the basic facts about how a vehicle works and what to do in an emergency. Driver education can also help you understand several other important concepts

Useful knowledge

How your personality, emotions, and maturity affect your driving

How to maneuver and control your vehicle to minimize risk in different driving environments

How alcohol and other drugs impair your ability to drive, and knowledge of the penalties for their use

How to interpret traffic laws, rules of the road, signs and signals, and roadway markings

An awareness of limiting factors for yourself and your vehicle

How a vehicle worksKnowledge of what to do in an emergency

Managing Visibility, Time, and Space

Driver education increases your awareness of the roadway and its surroundings. You will learn how to better manage visibility, time, and space. This information helps ensure your safety and safety of your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.

Awareness of Limiting Factors

To become a safe and responsible driver you need more than driving skill. Other factors that can seriously interfere with your ability to drive safely include:◦The foolish feeling that there is little or no risk

involved in driving and that if a collision occurs, it’s the “other person’s fault”

◦An illness or injury that you have or the side effects of the medication you may be taking for it

◦Your emotional state at the time you are driving◦The effects of alcohol and other drugs

Importance of Driver Education for Young Drivers

Young drivers have a lot to learn about driving and driving safety. They are involved in more crashes than other drivers.◦Crash – when a motor vehicle hits another

motor vehicle, a pedestrian, an animal, a bicyclist, or a fixed object. Can be called “accidents” but traffic safety

experts refer to them as a “crash” or “collision”.

Importance of Driver Education to Young Drivers

Why so many accidents for young Drivers?◦ Lack of Experience – Best way to overcome is to practice driving as

much as possible with a parent or trusted adult in various driving environments. The more you practice with an adult the better you will be able to handle different situations. In addition, observing how experienced drivers handle various situations when they are driving is a good method for overcoming your lack of experience.

◦ Driving at Dangerous Times and Number of Passengers – Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day. The probability of a crash also increases with each passenger riding with young drivers. It is often tempting to pay attention to the passengers instead of the driving task.

◦ Young Drivers drive differently – Young drivers tend to speed and not pay attention to their driving more than older drivers. They also have a weaker visual search and space management skills than older drivers. Young drivers are also less likely to wear their seatbelts or motorcycle helmets.

Fact:◦There has been a ten year decline in teenage

vehicular fatalities. However, teenagers continue to over-represent themselves in fatalities associated with distracted driving/driving while under the influence.

The Highway Transportation System (HTS)

As a licensed driver you must use the vast network of highways, streets, and roads. While using them you must share them with many other drivers. It is not just your goal to drive but to navigate the roads and highways safely and responsibly.

HTS

HTS – Motor vehicles, streets and highways, and people are the components of the Highway Transportation System. The main goal is to enable people and goods to move from place to place as safely and efficiently as possible.◦Vehicles – Vehicles range from tractor-trailers and

buses, to small vehicles, such as motorcycles and mopeds.

◦People – Includes drivers, riders, and pedestrians.

HTS

Regulating the HTS◦ Federal, State, and local governments work together to

regulate the HTS.◦ To set uniform standards for vehicle and driver safety, the

federal government made 2 important laws The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires

automakers to build certain safety features into their vehicles, such as safety belts, and shatterproof windows

The National Highway Safety Act established specific guidelines for state motor vehicle safety programs covering vehicle registration and inspection, driver licensing, traffic laws and traffic courts, and highway construction and maintenance. Also allowed each state to make its own laws concerning highway safety.

Risks of Driving

As a licensed driver you are faced with some risks when driving. Learning what some of the risks are and how to manage them can make you a better driver.

The Risks of Driving

Driving Involves Risk – The possibility of personal injury or damage to vehicles and property. The following are facts involving risk:◦Chances of being in an accident in a year is 1 in 9◦Chances of suffering a disabling injury in a year is 1

in 83◦Crashes kill roughly 38% of all people who die

between the ages of 15-20◦More than 57% of all fatal crashes involve only one

vehicle

The Risks of Driving

Reducing the Risk ◦Keep your vehicle in top condition◦Anticipate the actions of others◦Protect yourself and others◦Drive only when you’re in sound physical and

mental condition◦Make an effort to develop your driving skills

The Risks of Driving

Building a Good Driving Foundation◦The foundations for effective driving include

searching and giving meaning, understanding options and choices, and mastering basic driving skills

The Risks of Driving

Visibility◦Refers to what you can see from behind the

wheel and how well you see it. Also refers to the ability of others (pedestrians and other drivers) to see you.

◦Less visibility=more risk

The Risks of Driving

Time◦Involves the ability to judge your speed and the

speed of other vehicles and highway users. Can also refer to how long it will take your vehicle or another vehicle to stop or intersect paths

The Risks of Driving

Space◦Distance between your vehicle and other

vehicles. This margin of space allows you plenty of room to safely maneuver or to stop if necessary

Costs of Driving

The basic costs of driving can be grouped into two categories: Crash costs and Non-crash costs◦ Crash Costs – Total cost of motor-vehicle crashes have been

estimated at more than $230 billion every year. This includes fixing the vehicle, cleaning up the crash, repairing property damage, and caring for the injured. (highest costs are from deaths and injuries; 42,000 people die each year from crashes)

◦ Non-Crash Costs – Operating costs, Fixed costs, Environmental costs. Operating Costs – $ to maintain your vehicle (gas, oil, tires,

etc.) Fixed – Purchase price of car, insurance, licensing fees Environmental – Air pollution

Assignment:◦What are the operating costs a car/truck for

one year? Choose a car Determine costs such as tire replacement, oil

changes, routine maintenance, etc. for one year. Include average gas consumption of six hundred

miles per month. Take your analysis further by factoring in anything

you would do to maintain the appearance and operational quality of your car.