1. Drive Right Chapter 5 Natural Laws and Car Control Unit 3
Theory Notes from
MR. MILLER’S
Driver Education
Class

2. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
Gravity and energy of motion are both natural laws that will effect the way your vehicle performs.
When you operate a small vehicle, like a bicycle, it is easy to control it because of the low speed and weight.
A car or SUV can weigh as much as two tons (4,000 lbs)!!
Natural Laws can create forces that work against you in emergency situations.

3. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
Gravity is the force that pulls all things to the earth.
Gravity pulls your car towards the earth when you are driving.

4. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
You can feel the pull of gravity as you drive up and down hills.
When you drive uphill, you will lose speed unless you use extra power (gas pedal).
If you want to maintain the same speed, you must increase the power to overcome the force of gravity.

5. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
Gravity will increase your speed on a downhill road unless you control it.
It will take you longer to stop, so you will need to brake earlier and downshift.
Downshifting allows the engine – not the brakes slow the vehicle down.

6. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
How does uphill or downhill situations affect your intended path of travel?? 3 Ways
Uphill – your braking distance will actually decrease.
Downhill – your braking distance will be longer.
The steeper the incline, the longer your or shorter your stopping distance.

7. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
What is the definition of Center of Gravity
The point around which an object’s weight is evenly distributed is called it center of gravity.
Example: Circus high wire performers use poles to maintain their center of gravity.

8. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion More examples of Center of Gravity
Engineers try to make a vehicle’s center of gravity low so it can perform better.
The higher the center of gravity – the more unstable it becomes on steep hills and sharp turns.

9. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
When objects move, it acquires energy. This force is called Energy of Motion or Kinetic Energy.
The faster your vehicle moves, the more energy of motion it has.
Energy of motion is also affected by the weight of the moving object.

10. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
When the weight and speed of a vehicle increases, the stopping distance increases.
If the weight doubles – the stopping distance doubles.
The stopping distance will change in proportion to the square of its change in speed. When the vehicles speed doubles – the stopping distance is about four times as long.

11. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
Speed Kills!!
We all understand the dangers of speeding.
You will develop an ability to adjust to traffic situations ahead of time. You will see how important it is to slow before an emergency situation develops.
Every time you cut your speed in half, you cut your energy of motion by four times!

12. 5.1 Gravity and Energy of Motion
As you gain experience with driving, you will feel the laws of gravity and energy of motion affecting your car.
Remember these laws when you need to judge how long it will take you to stop your vehicle.

13. 5.2 Friction and Traction
Your four tires are the most important factor in controlling your car.
In reality, your car makes tracks similar to an animal walking in the mud or snow.
Each footprint is approximately twice the size of your hand.

14. 5.2 Friction and Traction Friction
Is the force that keeps each tire from sliding on the road.
You can feel this same force by rubbing your hands together.

15. 5.2 Friction and Traction Traction
The friction created by the tire on the road is called traction.
Traction makes it possible for your vehicle to grip the road so you can change speed and direction.

16. 5.2 Friction and Traction Tires
Tires make a difference in the way your vehicle performs.
Proper tire pressure can mean the difference in avoiding a crash and hitting something.

17. 5.2 Friction and Traction Tires
The grooved surface of a tire that grips the road is called the tread.
When the road is wet the tread allows water to flow through the grooves.
This action allows the tire tread to cut through the water and grip the road.

18. 5.2 Friction and Traction Tires Warn or bald tires are dangerous.
A bald tire will not grip a wet or icy road.
Since it has no tread to push the flow of water away from the ground.
It is also more vulnerable to a puncture or blowout.

19. 5.2 Friction and Traction Inflation
Tires are designed to work best when they are properly inflated.
Check the owner’s manual for best pressure to use.
When your tire pressure is right, you will get the best control from your tires.

20. 5.2 Friction and Traction Inflation
Under Inflation: Only the outside edges of the tire provide traction.
Split Traction: You are dividing your traction between stopping, starting and turning.
You have reduced traction based on the maneuver

21. 5.2 Friction and Traction Reduced Traction
Ideal levels of traction can be maintained by:
Vehicle is in good mechanical condition.
The road must be smooth, paved, level, and clean.

22. 5.2 Friction and Traction Vehicle Condition
The older your vehicle – the more important it is to properly maintain it.
Good shocks are necessary to prevent your vehicle from bouncing.
Worn tires limit your control.

23. 5.2 Friction and Traction Road Condition
It is easy to drive on straight, dry, flat roads.
Obviously snow or rain will effect that same roadway.
Reduction in speed is the safest way to handle poor roadway conditions.
Checking Traction: When road conditions are bad, slow down your vehicle. You can use these steps to check how much traction you have:
Check your rear zone to make sure no traffic is near.
Brake gently to see how your vehicle will respond.
If your vehicle does not slow or if your antilock brakes start to work, reduce speed even further.

24. 5.2 Friction and Traction Curves
Energy of motion and traction will work on your vehicle as you drive around a curve.
The energy of motion in your vehicle will try to make it go straight in a curve.
The higher your vehicle’s speed, the more it will tend to go straight.
Vehicle Control in Curves:
Speed- slow down to reduce your chance of skidding.
Sharpness in Curves- the sharper a curve, the more traction your vehicle needs to grip the road.
Banked Curves- a curve that is higher on the outside than it is on the inside is called a banked curve. It helps in the prevention of your car moving to the outside of the curve.
Load- your vehicle’s load affects your control in a curve.

25. 5.3 Stopping Distance Curves
When you are driving and have to stop, three things must happen:
You must perceive the hazard in your path of travel
React
Brake your car to a stop
The distance your car travels while you make a stop is called your Total Stopping Distance.

26. Total Stopping Distance
Total Stopping Distance is the distance your car travels while you are attempting to stop it.
The picture on Page 98 shows the distance it take once you see a hazard to the point where you stop your vehicle.

27. Perception Time and Distance
5.3 Stopping Distance
Perception Time and Distance
The length of time you take to identify, predict, and decide to slow for a hazard is called your perception time.
Perception time will vary greatly depending on visibility, the hazard, and your abilities at the time.
The distance your vehicle travels during this time is your perception distance.
Perception Distance is not easy to estimate.
It will vary as driving situations change and become more complex.

28. Reaction Time and Distance
5.3 Stopping Distance
Reaction Time and Distance
Once you recognize a hazard, the length of time you take to execute your action is your reaction time.
The average driver’s reaction time is ¾ ths of a second.
The distance your vehicle travels is called your reaction distance.

29. 5.3 Stopping Distance Braking Distance
The distance your vehicle travels from the time you apply the brake until you stop is called braking distance.
A vehicle’s energy of motion - and your braking distance – are proportional to the square of the increase in speed.
If you accelerate from 20 to 40 mph, your braking distance will be 4 times longer.

30. Estimating Stopping Distance
The chart on page 99 shows your reaction distance and braking distance from different speeds.
Use the four second rule, which enables you to project your approximate stopping distance under ideal conditions at any speed.

31. Estimating Stopping Distance
Pick a fixed checkpoint ahead where you think you could stop.
Count off four seconds: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, etc.
Check your vehicles position. If you have just reached your fixed checkpoint, you can assume the distance you estimated in step 1 was correct.

32. Factors that Affect Braking Distance
5.3 Stopping Distance
Factors that Affect Braking Distance
Speed – higher speed – longer distance.
Vehicle Condition – worn tires or shocks – longer distance to stop.
Roadway Surface – Rain, snow, ice, dirt, etc. reduce traction and increase distance.
Driver Ability – If you are distracted or impaired, your will take longer to stop.
Antilock Braking System (ABS) – You can better control your stopping distance in curves.
Hills – Your braking distance increase downhill.
Loads – Heavy loads increase your braking distance.

33. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Accidents happen in a blink of an eye. It is imperative that you do everything in your ability to protect yourself and your passengers.
Forces of Impact:
In violent collisions, occupants need protection at all times. If they are not protected, they will be thrown against the vehicle’s interior in a second collision or ejected from the vehicle.
The force with which a moving object hits another object is called Force of Impact.
Three factors determine how hard something will hit another object:
Speed
Weight
Distance between impact and stopping

34. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Speed:
The most important factor in determining how hard a vehicle will hit another object.
The force of impact is in proportion to the square of the increase or decrease in the vehicle’s speed.
Any reduction in speed will greatly reduce the damage inflicted.
Always try to reduce speed in an emergency.

35. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Weight:
The heavier a vehicle, the more damage it will cause in a collision.
A vehicle weighing twice as much as another vehicle will hit a solid object twice as hard.

36. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Distance Between Impact and Stopping:
The distance a vehicle covers between the instant it hits an object and the moment it comes to a stop can vary greatly.
Image hitting barrels filled with sand sitting in front of a light post rather than hitting the post itself.
The barrels will slow you as you hit them rather than stopping you like the post would.
This is why traffic engineers put cushioning materials in front of solid roadside objects.

37. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
How to Wear Safety Belts
Using safety belts is the #1 defense to reduce possible injury.
They hold you in place and prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle.
Follow these steps with your seatbelt
Adjust your seat to an upright position.
Make sure your seatbelt is not twisted.
Snap the buckle into place and tighten the lap portion across your hips.
Adjust the shoulder strap across your chest. Make sure it is snug.

38. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Air Bags
Air bags will automatically inflate to protect you during a collision.
It is a balloon type device.
It takes approximately 25 thousandths of a second.
They will deploy in speeds over 200 mph.

39. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Air Bags
Air bags are designed to work with seat belts.
To prevent air bag injuries keep your hands at 9-3 or 8-4.
Sit away from an air bag after your are belted. Your chest should be 10” away from the steering wheel.
If you have a tilt steering wheel, tilt it so your air bag will deploy toward your chest.
Children in a child seat and young people under age 12 must sit in the back seats. They can be injured when an air bag deploys.

40. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact
Air Bag Improvements
Engineers are now developing numerous features to make air bags even more effective.
Advanced Air Bags: because of previous injuries, some air bags can measure your seat position and weight of passengers.
The air bag can deploy in two stages with appropriate speed and intensity.
Some owners have air bag switches installed to give vehicle owners a choice about using an air bag.
Check with your insurance policy to see if it is still valid and make sure your seat belts don’t stretch.

41. 5.4 Controlling Force of Impact Other Protection Devices
Engineers have designed additional devices in new vehicles to protect you:
Automatic Seat Belts
Front and Rear Crash Areas
Energy-Absorbing Bumpers
Side Door Beams
Reinforced Windshields
Energy-Absorbing Steering Wheel Columns
Padded Dash
Child Seats
Head Restraints