Welcome to Drivers Ed

Highway Transportation System (HTS) A SYSTEM is a group of elements that work together to fulfill a purpose. Cell Phone Satellite Cell Phone

Major Elements of the HTS Persons: Those who use the system: drivers, passengers, etc Persons: Those who use the system: drivers, passengers, etc

Major Elements of the HTS Vehicle: Machines used in the system: cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, snowmobiles, etc.

Major Elements of the HTS Environment: Paths on which vehicles are driven or pedestrians walk: streets, county roads, highways, expressways, sidewalks, bicycle paths, trails, etc

Purpose of the HTS The safe, efficient and convenient movement of people and goods from place to place. Breakdowns can cause serious problems Congestion Crash Loss of Money Injury, Death

The Driving Task Driving is a SOCIAL TASK Driving is a person maneuvering a vehicle through other traffic and varying environmental conditions

Driving Precision Driving Precision requires GOOD DECISIONS Sound Judgment: based on learning to anticipate what could happen Accurate Perception: being able to know how to view/look at traffic scenes Knowledge: understanding what to do to be safe and efficient

Rule of the Road Don’t drive like you own the road Drive like you own the car

HTS Breakdowns and Failures Most often caused by driver error Often caused by driver inexperience Sometimes caused by driver distraction Or some combination of these factors

New Drivers Inexperience is the primary cause of problems driving Making high risk decisions also is a primary factor

Car’s Dashboard

Car’s Instrument Panel

Preventative Maintenance Daily Preventative Maintenance Items Fluid Leaks – Look under your car Tire Inflation – Check your tires Physical Damage – Do a visual check Gas Level – Check your gas gauge

Preventative Maintenance Weekly Preventative Maintenance Items Tire Pressure – Use your pressure gage every time you fill up with gas Safety/Communication Devises – check to see if your headlights, signals, brake lights, reverse lights work Obvious tire wear – check your treads

Preventative Maintenance Monthly Preventative Maintenance Items Oil Level – Check your dip stick Wiper Fluid Level – Check under hood Coolant Fluid Level – Check under hood Brake Fluid Level – Check under hood Six Month Preventative Maintenance Items Filters (air, oil) Transmission Fluids Regular Maintenance (tune ups) Wash/Wax your car

Driver Operational Tasks Maintaining Balance 4 point contact (both hands, both feet) Seating Position Comfortable arm position Upright Holding Steering Wheel 9-3 or 8-4 Steering Wheel Movements Push-Pull Hand over Hand

Driver Operational Tasks Braking Control Pivot on Heal Press with Toes Braking Technique Controlled Threshold Trail Brake Vehicle Operating Space Area your car takes up “Safety Footprint”

Driver Operational Tasks Accelerator Techniques Releasing the Brake Cover Accelerator Progressive Acceleration Thrust Acceleration Weight Transfer Weight on all 4 tires Sequencing Driver Action Vision Control (LOS-POT) Motion Control Steering Control

Line of Sight – Path of Travel Path of Travel Line of Sight

Reference Points Reference points are visual guides which help you judge your distance when parking or turning. From your viewpoint in the drivers seat, reference points help you to see the exact location of the wheels, both front and back bumpers, and also the side of the car when parking or turning.

Reference Points