Chapter 1 The Driving Task Driver Education Chapter 1 The Driving Task

Highway Transportation System The Highway Transportation System(HTS) – has three parts: people, vehicles, and roadways. The purpose of the HTS is to move people and cargo from one place to another in a safe, efficient, and economical manner.

Parts of the HTS People Roadway users – are people who use the HTS by walking, driving, or riding

Parts of the HTS Vehicles Any vehicle that uses the HTS ranging from a moped to a tractor trailer Roadways Any road ranging from a dirt road to a multilane expressway

Regulating the HTS Laws are passed to make up the vehicle code Enforcement agencies assure that laws are obeyed Motor vehicle departments set rules to assure that driver and vehicle standards are met Courts decide whether drivers charged with violating the laws are guilty or innocent Highway traffic engineer’s plan, build, and maintain the complex system of roadways

Your Driving Task Driving Task – includes all the social, physical, and mental skills required to drive Use knowledge and visual skills Obey traffic laws Judge time and space Anticipating how your car will respond under normal and emergency conditions

Driving Task Social Skills - Driving requires you to interact successfully with people Physical Skills – You must learn the physical skills of driving so well that they become natural habit. Beginning drivers need to concentrate heavily on the physical skills of driving. More experienced drivers can focus on the social and mental aspects of driving

Driving Task Mental Skills – IPDE Process – is a process of seeing, thinking, and responding Identify – important information in the ongoing driving scene Predict – when and where possible points of conflict will develop Decide – when, where , and how to communicate, adjust speed, and change position to avoid conflict Execute – the right action to prevent conflict

Driving Responsibilities Driving is a privilege not a right. The privilege is based on the assumption that you will be responsible and obey traffic laws. If you do not handle this responsibility, you have the power to ruin your life and the life of others

Collisions A collision occurs when a vehicle conflicts with and hits another object Collision is a more accurate term than accident. Because accident implies that something just happened by chance Collision are a major cause of injury and death

Causes of Collisions Driver error is the most common Following a vehicle to closely Driving to fast for conditions Driving after using drugs or alcohol Driving while very tired

Compare the Odds 1 in 4,600,000 people will be killed in a plane crash 1 in 40,000 you will be killed by fire 1 in 125 you will be killed in car collision

Environmental responsibility Air pollution Chemical spills How can you manage this? Buy fuel efficient vehicles Reducing driving by car pooling or public transportation

Your Driver’s License Licensing Process – is designed to make sure that only safe drivers are allowed on the roads by requiring written, physical, and driving exams Graduated Driver Licensing Program – Series of stages that a young driver must go through to get full privilege license

Your Driver’s License Learner’s Permit Stage At 16 the student receives permit to drive when supervised by an adult(21) with 3 years experience Permit must be held for at least six months and the student must have no collisions or violation during this time No driving between 11:01 PM and 5:00 AM Passengers can be from the same household, but only one other person

Your Driver’s License Provisional Driver’s License No driving between 12:01am and 5:00am Passengers must be from the driver’s household and 1 other person If the driver is 21 no passenger or hour restrictions apply

Implied Consent Programs In most states you are asked to sign a statement when you get your license saying that you agree to take an alcohol test on request If you refuse, you will lose your license