Orientation to Controls Moving Stopping & Steering Smoothly North Dakota Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum Guide Developed by North Dakota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association Funded by The North Dakota Department of Transportation Orientation to Controls Moving Stopping & Steering Smoothly

3 Basic Driver Actions Vision Control – Knowing how, when, where, what and why to see before moving vehicle Motion Control – Maintaining vehicle balance by increasing, decreasing, or maintaining speed Steering Control – Maintaining vehicle balance by using appropriate steering techniques and timed movements

Maximize Vision Control Reduce Risk Before moving your vehicle Always know what space you intend to occupy Always see that space is clear Always get the information you need before taking any action

Orientation to Controls Same Yet Different Tire Turner Gear Shift and Selections Directional Signal Wipers, Windows and Locks Parking, Headlights and Hazard Lights Parking Brake set/release Brake Pedal Accelerator Pedal Dead Pedal Sun Visor Horn Climate Control

Starting the Engine Parking Brake on Ignition Positions - “on” position re-boots computer Transmission in Park Position Right Foot on Brake Twist Key and Release Turn on Headlights and other needed accessories – wipers, heat, defrost etc

Vehicle Balance Best balance when vehicle is not moving. Its weight is evenly distributed on four tires. Movement creates changes to the vehicle balance, the amount of weight on each tire Vehicle balance can be mismanaged causing serious loss of control, injuries and death

Vehicle Balance Technical Terms Pitch – Vehicle weight is transferred to the front or the rear tires when braking or accelerating. Loss of traction can occur. Demonstration Roll - Vehicle weight is transferred to the side tires when turning or cornering. Loss of traction can occur. Demonstration Yaw – Traction to tires is lost causing vehicle to spin around its center of gravity or “Yaw” axis. Demonstration Use a model car to demonstrate. Ask students to demonstrate how it feels to be in a car with a driver who: slams on the Brake, Punches the gas, Makes a turn or lane change too fast too sharp.

Managing Vehicle Balance Smooth, Precise Actions Braking Accelerating Steering

Managing Vehicle Balance Speed Control Options Releasing the accelerator Covering the brake Controlled brake (Squeeze on) Threshold brake Trail braking (Squeeze off) Releasing brake Covering accelerator Light accelerator pressure Progressive accelerator pressure Thrust accelerator pressure The technique one uses to control vehicle speed is dependant on roadway configuration. Ask: What technique would be necessary on a flat surface? Up grade? Downgrade? Etc.

Maximizing Braking Control Driver position for best brake pedal control, balance and stability in seat Position heel on floor in front of the brake to maximize braking control Ball of foot makes and maintains contact with pedals for smooth braking and accelerating Left foot on dead pedal for balance and stability Pivot ball of foot to accelerator from brake

Braking Techniques Release Accelerator Cover Brake Smooth, consistent decrease and release of pressure Cover Brake Ready to use Controlled Brake With Squeeze Smooth, consistent application of pressure Threshold Brake Braking just prior to the locking up of the wheels

Braking Techniques Trail Brake With Slight Pressure Slight decrease of braking which does not change speed but allows driver to maintain control and balance when stopping and turning Normal Smooth Stop = Controlled Brake + Trail Brake Hard Smooth Stop = Threshold Brake + Trail Brake

Acceleration Techniques Release Brake Cover Accelerator Moving foot over accelerator, but not touching Light Acceleration For beginning smooth starts and turns Progressive Acceleration A firm acceleration to increase speed Thrusting Accelerator A firm push or thrust of the accelerator

Physical Equivalent Practice

Student Pedal Practice Seating position, & dead pedal Pivot foot Cover the brake Controlled brake (Squeeze on) Threshold brake Trail brake (Squeeze off) Normal Smooth Stop = Controlled Brake + Trail Brake Hard Smooth Stop = Threshold Brake + Trail Brake Release brake Cover accelerator Light accelerator pressure Progressive accelerator pressure Thrust accelerator pressure Release the accelerator

Steering Control

Maximize Steering Control Minimize Risk Steering Control Position Balanced Hand Position, 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 Knuckles Out and Thumbs up (or no grip)

Maximize Steering Control Minimize Risk Steering Techniques Smooth and Consistent Steering Movements Hand-Over-Hand Push/Pull One Hand – Backing only Evasive Actions

Hand-Over-Hand Steering For Speeds Below 15mph and Sharp Turns 12 Left Turn Left hand pulls down, then reaches up and over the right arm to about 11-12 position – and continues to pull down to left Continue pulling on top left 1/3 of the wheel from 11 to 9 until desired path of travel is reached 9 3 11 Left Turn Right Hand pushes up from 3 to about the 11 position

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

Push/Pull Steering Right Turn Left Hand Push Up Right Hand Pull Down 11 1 5 Right Turn Left Hand Push Up Right Hand Pull Down 7

Push/Pull Steering Pull – Push is yet another option

Minimum Steering Control Maximum Risk! Gripping inside of wheel underhand Gripping with the thumbs Tight Grip - White knuckling No hand contact or one hand steering when moving forward Gripping the wheel with the thumbs, driving with one hand or with hands in unbalanced location significantly decreases the amount of steering control a driver can have. This does not mean that one is unable to steer the vehicle in a normal driving situation. However, when one need to use the wheel to avoid a dangerous situation the chance that one handles the situation successful is dramatically decreased. Best steering control position one has 80 % control of the vehicle, 8/10 actions will be successful. With one hand on the wheel in the correct position 40% control and one hand in wrong position only 10% control, only 1/10 emergency steering actions will be done successfully!

Physical Equivalent Practice PEP ACTIVITY

Student Steering Practice Hand position on steering wheel Grip of steering wheel Turning Techniques Hand Over Hand Push/Pull Conduct PEP Rally in class to practice targeting.