1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Managing Vehicle Balance
Smooth, Precise Actions
Braking
Accelerating
Steering

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Physical Equivalent Practice

15. 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

16. Steering Control

17. 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)

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

19. Hand-Over-Hand Steering For Speeds Below 15mph and Sharp Turns12
Left Turn
Left hand pulls down, then reaches up and over the right arm to about 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

20. Hand-Over-Hand Steering

21. Push/Pull Steering Right Turn Left Hand Push Up Right Hand Pull Down11 1 5
Right Turn
Left Hand Push Up
Right Hand Pull Down 7

22. Push/Pull Steering
Pull – Push is yet another option

23. 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!

24. Physical Equivalent Practice
PEP ACTIVITY

25. 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.