1. Unit 4: Vision and Space Management
Managing Space
NV Driver Education Curriculum
Unit 4: Vision and Space Management
Presentation 2 of 4
TOPICS:
Space Management, Zones, & Lane Position
Line of Sight & Visual Lead
Following Distances

2. Learning to Drive Video
See Ford’s Driving for Life
Ashley Force Driving Tips
(1:37)
Know Your Surroundings
Always preview video before showing to students
Check content
Check availability
Images from:
Click on web address to access video clips
*Suggest full screen viewing

3. Space Management
Space management is a way to organize information into meaningful categories so a driver can easily and quickly make good decisions.
Includes:
Visibility – Ability to see and be seen by others
Time – Speed control
Space – Distance or room around your vehicle
Image from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10

4. Zone Locations
A zone is one of six areas of space around a vehicle that is the width of a lane and extends as far as the driver can see.
Open zone – available space, you can see and move into area
Closed zone – restricted space, you cannot move into or area is restricted by lack of visibility
Image from: Driver Right textbook 2010 edition

5. Line of Sight
Your line of sight is the distance you can see ahead in the direction you are looking.
Unrestricted line of sight Restricted line of sight
(curve in road)
Images from: Montana Driver Ed Curriculum

6. Path of Travel
Your path of travel is the space your vehicle will occupy, directed towards a target area.
Country image from: Montana Driver Ed Curriculum
Freeway image from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10

7. Maintain a Visual Lead
The distance you look ahead is your visual lead.
You need to evaluate three searching ranges:
20-30 seconds ahead – your target area
12-15 second range – identify changes in line of sight or path of travel
4-6 second range – identify open and closed zones

8. Searching
Searching means moving your eyes in a constant pattern, from near to far and side to side.
Attempt to identify things that might require you to:
Adjust your speed
Change your vehicle position
Communicate with other road users
Image from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10

9. Where to Search Search close – instrument panel and mirrors
Search far - at least seconds ahead
Search for specific information
Roadway features
Signs, signals, and road markings
Motorized vehicles
Non-motorized roadway users
Image from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10

10. Space Management Video
See Ford’s Driving for Life
Space Management
(6:19)
Staggering, Adjust speed, Safe following distance, Brake early, Use shoulder in emergency
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Ford image from:
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*Suggest full screen viewing

11. Managing Space in Front
Drivers have the most control over the space directly in front of the vehicle.
Three ways to manage
space in the front:
Establish a safe following distance
Control your speed when in motion
When stopping, monitor vehicle placement
Image from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10

12. Keep a Safe Following Distance
City Driving: 2-4 second gap
Highway Driving: 6 or more second gap
Increase gap when:
Visibility is poor
Traction is limited
Line of sight is restricted
Being tailgated
City image from:
Freeway image from:

13. Safe Following Distance Video
See 60 Second Driver video
Safe Following Distances
(0:60)
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60 Second driver image from:
Retrieved: 01/21/10
Click on web address to access video clips
*Suggest full screen viewing

14. Create Space when Stopping
Stop where you can see the tires of the vehicle in front of you touch the road. This allows for room to maneuver or escape when needed.
Images from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10
Too Close
Perfect

15. Using Speed to Control Space
Managing space is influenced by the speed of your own vehicle as well as the speed of other vehicles.
You can decide to:
Maintain your speed
Decelerate
Brake
Accelerate
Steering wheel image from:
Speeding image from:
Retrieved: 08/22/10

16. Managing Space in the Rear
Check rearview mirror often
Before and after braking or turning
While at a complete stop
Communicate with others
tap on brakes
use turn signals
Brake early, when you see traffic is slow or stopping
Leave an escape route
Rearview mirror image from:
Braking image from:
Retrieved: 08/21/10

17. Judging Gaps The ability to judge a safe gap in traffic is vital when:
Entering traffic
Crossing an intersection
Changing lanes
Turning
Lane change image from:
Merge sign image from:
Intersection image from:
Retrieved: 08/21/10

18. Lane Positions Three different lane positions are available:
Center of lane
- Safest position
- Allows for 3 feet on each side
Left of center
- Used for left turns
- Or closed right zone
Right of center
- Used for right turns or parking
Image from: Drive Right Textbook

19. Ground Viewing Search the visual scene near the ground. Look for:
Directions of wheels (possibly turning)
Lane position (possibly changing lanes or turning)
Road markings and conditions
Small children or animals
Curb parking image from:
Lane position image from:
Pothole image from:
Ducks image from:
Retrieved: 08/21/10

20. Look Where You Want to Go
Driving Tip Video
See Ford Motor Company’s Driving Skills for Life video
Look Where You Want to Go
(0:40)
Always preview video before showing to students
Check content
Check availability
Ford image from:
Billy’s image from:
Retrieved: 01/21/10
Click on web address to access video clips
*Suggest full screen viewing

21. Good Rule of Thumb
Final Thoughts
Develop a habit of turning your head slightly in the direction you plan to move. Check for vehicles not in mirrors. Many collision and near-misses occur when drivers fail to determine if the space is clear.
Girl image from:
Crash image from:
Retrieved: 08/03/10

22. Test Your Knowledge You may legally block an intersection:
During rush hour traffic
When you enter the intersection on the green light
When making a left turn and waiting for traffic to clear so you may proceed safely
Under no circumstances
Answer: D

23. Test Your Knowledge
Unless otherwise posted the speed limit in a residential area is:
30 mph
25 mph
20 mph
15 mph
Answer: B

24. Test Your Knowledge This sign means: All-way stop ahead
Intersection closed ahead
Intersection is not an all-way stop
Intersection allows traffic to proceed after yielding to cross traffic
Answer: C