Chapter 1 Responsible Driving Textbook

Highway Transportation System A system made up of all the roadways, motor vehicles, and people. There are nearly 4 million miles of roadways in the US. There are over 180 million licensed drivers, cyclist or pedestrians on those roads.

Regulations Federal Laws State Laws Local Laws

Federal Laws The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act – requires all safety features in new vehicles such as seatbelts and shatterproof glass, also regulates any recalls The National Highway Safety Act – sets guidelines such as vehicle registration, inspection, and highway construction and maintenance

State Laws Local Laws Age for License Speed Limits Tinted Windows Cell phones Right Turn on Red Cell Phones

Risks 1 in 9 – likelihood of being in an accident this year 1 in 83 chance of a disabling injury to occur 35% of deaths in year olds involve car accidents 85% of deaths occur in 1 st accident 39% of accidents involve 1 car

How to reduce risk Maintain your vehicle Anticipate action of others Protect yourself Drive when physically & mentally capable Work at driving

SIPDE Search – see the roadway and off road for info Identify – objects or conditions ahead that may cause interference Predict – any actions or changes that could increase the risk Decide – what is the action you should take Execute – do your decision

Smith System Aim high Keep your eyes moving Get the Big Picture Make sure others see you Leave yourself an out

Your Vision About 90% of your decision making comes from your sense of sight Why is it so important?

Area of Central Vision Peripheral Vision Peripheral Vision Your vision Up/Down is Vertical Field of Vision

Poor Vision Problems Depth Perception Color Blindness Night Blindness

Fatigue Question: While driving, you start to get drowsy, what should you do?

What brings on Fatigue? Stress Illness Boredom Over eating Alcohol Warmth in Car ????

How does Fatigue effect driving? Impairs vision Miss signals, sounds, sights Reaction time is much slower

“Highway Hypnosis” A drowsy state of mind that may occur during long hours of driving. Sometimes brought on by the reflector lights on the road.

Lack of sleep is now recognized as the leading cause of traffic fatalities; Ahead of alcohol. Temporary illness such as colds, flu, and allergies Can also make driving risky. Injuries can distract because people tend to dwell On the pain instead of focusing on the road. Medications – “May make you drowsy”, can cause Nausea, headache or dizziness means you Should not drive!!!