HTS

 Its’ parts  Its’ purpose  Its’ most important part  Who regulates the HTS?

 N.J has more cars on he road per square mile = more collisions … higher insurance rates.  License (GDL) Undertrained. On the job training … Put into life or death situations on day one.

 1. People  2. Vehicles  3. Roadways  All three parts are constantly changing conditions.

 Pedestrians /remember to yield to pedestrians-why?  Passengers  Bike Riders  Scooter/Moped drivers/Motorcyclists  Student drivers  Drivers  Some have very little training.  Some tired.  Some under the influence of Alcohol/Drugs  Some too old to drive.  Some on the phone/Text.

 There are a wide range of vehicles in the HTS. Mopeds, motorcycles, and bicycles have little protection.  At the other extreme is the semi trailer weighing tons with its’ blind spots.  In between are cars, vans, small trucks, buses, campers, and farm vehicles.  You are going to learn special skills to avoid conflicts with all types of vehicles.

 Roadways range from simple to complex, dirt roads to multi lane expressways. Think about the route you take from your house to the mall—  Roadways present different hazards— What are some obstacles in city streets? Expressways? Mountain Roads?

City driving/Urban roads  Number of people  One way streets  Parked cars Expressways  Speed  Entrance/exit ramps Rural Roads  Blind spots  Animals

 Different people with different attitudes and emotions.  Different types of vehicles with different handling capabilities, traveling at different speeds.  Throw in different roadways and weather conditions and you have an ever- changing environment when driving.

 Rain – first 20 minutes  Fog – use low beams  Snow / Ice **The easiest way to drive safely in these conditions is always adjust you speed to the conditions present. Who can explain that statement? Basic Speed Law/ Turnpike advisory speed limit

 To move people and cargo from one place to another in a safe, efficient and economical manner.

 Are the drivers who operate their vehicles in a responsible, low risk manner.

 Federal, State, and local governments help regulate the HTS.  Laws that are passed by federal and state legislatures make up the vehicle code.  The Federal National Safety Act— **Gives vehicle standards such as 3 brake light requirement, **Roadway standards. **Driver and passenger behavior

1. Law enforcement agencies assure that laws are obeyed. State/Local, Sheriff 2. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sets rules to assure that driver and vehicle standards are met. 3. Courts decide whether drivers charged with violating the laws are guilty or innocent. 4. Highway traffic engineers plan, build, and maintain roadways. Ex) smart roads, rumble strips, lane reflectors, reflective paint.

 People who use the HTS by walking, driving, or riding are called roadway users. Remember it’s not just the driver!  They belong to all age groups, but their physical, mental, and emotional conditions may range from excellent to poor.  What are some emotional conditions or attitudes that may hamper ones driving ability?

 You need to take charge of your safety and take responsibility of avoiding trouble.  State question- you need to compensate for them, distance yourself and get rid of them.  Ex:) What do you do if you suspect that the person in front or behind you is drunk? Do you pass them or back off?

 All the skilled actions one must take to drive safely.

1. Social skills 2. Decision making skills (Mental) 3. Physical skills

 Social skills require you to interact and cooperate with other roadway users.  By interacting this means you have to communicate with other drivers on the road.  Courtesy/ Cooperation is an important social skill of driving- Even those that make mistakes.  What are some ways a driver can communicate with other people on the road?

 A survey was conducted on the top complaints about other drivers. What do you think people complained about the most?

 1. Tailgating  2. Not using turn signals/not turning them off  3. Being cut off  4. Driving too slow  5. Being inconsiderate  6. Phone/Text  Most drivers you encounter will be strangers to you. Some people may be tired, or intoxicated which may make their reactions slower, impaired, angry or distracted. A big part of driving will be how you use your social skills in observing others.

1. Steering 2. Accelerating 3. Braking You must learn to master the physical skills of driving so well, that they become natural habits.

 Safe, low risk driving is primarily a mental task. Actually decision making skills are more important than the physical skills of driving. It’s the most important part. Knowing how to accelerate, steer, and brake are of little use if they are not done in the right amounts or at the right times. Deciding when and where to perform these actions is essential to becoming a safe driver.

This is an organized – seeing, thinking and responding process. The four steps are: 1. Identify 2. Predict 3. Decide 4. Execute

 Identify important information in the ongoing driving scene. Especially potential hazards.  See with the eyes and hear (crash)  List some Potential Hazards?

1. Deer 2. Play grounds … ball 3. Schools 4. Night 5. Weather

When we foresee/foretell the when and where possible points of conflict will develop.  Actions of other roadway users.  Consequences of your actions  Use judgment, knowledge, and experience

 When, where and how to adjust speed, communicate, adjust your position to avoid conflict. (Make Decision)  To change speed.  To change direction  To communicate

 The correct actions necessary to avoid possible conflicts. (Physical)  Swerve  Slow down  Accelerate  Brake  Steer  Communicate

 This sounds like it is a great deal to do every time you drive, along with Smith system and the Zone Control system … manage the space around your car.  With time and practice this will become a set of habits which will protect you from possible driving conflicts.

 Lowers the risk of conflict by protecting you and others from dangerous driving situations.  Take a defensive driving course to show your parents how serious you are. 1. Adjust to change weather and roadways. 2. Anticipate actions of other roadway users. 3. Avoid conflicts in general (road rage)

1. Aim high in steering - Avoid collisions by seeing, evaluating and acting on all information. 2. Get the Big Picture (Less mistakes made when you see everything). 3. Keep your Eyes Moving- Scanning techniques separate safe drivers from people who make errors. 4. Leave Yourself an Out- “Space Cushion”. 5. Make sure you can be Seen.

 Drivers Behavior  Develop good attitudes towards driving leads to becoming a safe driver.  Two boxes Attention and Attitude.

 As you know from driving with others, the HTS does not always run smoothly. A break down in the HTS is when any part of the system does not work well.  Two most common breakdowns in the HTS: 1. Traffic tie ups (Less Severe) 2. Collisions (More Severe) This is the major breakdown. It usually involves all three parts of the HTS. 1. People – Physically, emotionally 2. Roadway damage by debris from the collision.. Which lead to traffic tie ups. 3. Vehicles are damaged from the impact causing monetary damage to the driver.

 It is essentially when a vehicle hits another object.  3 collisions out of one. Vehicle, people, internal organs.  Insurance reminder… Basic Liability

 By far the most common is Drivers Error.  Accident vs. Collision. Accidents are things that just happen with no cause to anyone. But the truth is most collisions are the product of a predictable cause. Drunk driver… hits a pole. Careless driver does not wear their safety belt. Driving to fast for the conditions of the road.

 Most have several causes.  Initially the report may say the driver was speeding… But if we look closer we see bald tires, wet pavement, tired or impaired driver.  Golf ball segment.

 Two reasons 1. Lack of experience … which leads to poor decision making. 2. Aggressive nature

In order to pay for property damages and injuries to other people.  (Deductible)  Basic liability  Comprehensive… fire theft and collision.

 Social and economical 1. Family disruption 2. Shattered career plans 3. Mental and physical suffering Economical 1. Property damage cost to fix your car, also to fix anything you damage. 2. Insurance Premiums go up after a collision 3. Medical fees/ loss of work time away from work

It affects our environment every time we are using our cars. (Burning Fuel) Gas shortages (70’s) odd/even plates

 NJ Hero Program  On your license … box you can check.. Make sure everyone is aware of your decision.

 Implied consent programs. In NJ by signing your license you agree to be tested (DUI) if asked by a police officer.

 Graduate Driving Licensing Program  Progress through a series of licensing stages or steps.

 Gives you a solid foundation and get you off to a good start.

 Drivers who obey traffic laws.