Drive RightYou are the Driver

Chapter 1

You Are Part of the System

HTS

• Highway Transportation System

– Three Parts• People• Vehicles• Roadways

Roadway Users

• People– Good– Safe Low Risk– Responsible– Good Driving Skills

• People– Bad– Distracted– Tired– Sick or Ill– Alcohol Influenced– Drug Influenced

Vehicles

• Mopeds• Motorcycles• Cars• Vans• Small Trucks• Busses• Campers• Trailers• Farm Vehicles• Construction Equipment• 18 Wheelers Semi Trailers

Roadways

• Multilane• Expressways• Highways• Gravel• Dirt Roads

• Common Conditions– Rain– Night – Rough Pavement

People

• Have to take Responsibility!

• Defensive Driving

Vehicles

• Interacting with other vehicles is important

Roadways

• You must take control of your vehicle at all times in all conditions!

Regulating The HTS

• States grant individuals the privilege of driving on the roads by issuing them a driving license.

• By passing a licensing exam, you agree to obey traffic laws in exchange for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle on public roads.

Federal – State – Local Government Agencies

• Assist in regulating the HTS– Laws are made to make up the vehicle code.– Enforcement Agencies assure that driver and

vehicle standards are met.– Courts decide whether drivers charged with

violating the laws are guilty or innocent.– Highway traffic engineers plan, build, and

maintain the complex system of roadways.

Your Driving Task / pg 6

• Using Knowledge & Visual Skills

• Obeying Traffic Laws

• Judging, Time & Space

• Anticipating How Your Car Will Respond

Under Normal And Emergency Conditions

Social Skills

• Interact Successfully With People

• Curteous Driver

• Obey Traffic Laws

SOCIAL TRUTH : All Drivers Bring Their Own Problems and Skill Levels to Your Shared Higway World!

Physical Skills

• You Must Learn Physical Skills of Driving So That They Become Natural Habits.

(Second Nature)

• Beginning Drivers Must Focus on Physical Skills First.

• Seasoned Drivers can focus more attention to the Social and Mental Aspects of Driving!

Mental Skills

• Safe Low Risk Driving is Primarily A Mental Task Which Involves Decision Making.

DECISION MAKING SKILLS!

The IPDE PROCESS

• IDENTIFY

• PREDICT

• DECIDE

• EXECUTE

MASTER THE IPDE

• You Will Be Able To Drive In A Way That

Reduces Conflicts.

This Ability Is Called DEFENSIVE DRIVING It Lowers the Risk of Conflict by Protecting You and Others From Dangerous Driving Situations!

IPDE

• 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/or change position to avoid conflict.

• Execute: the right action(s) to prevent conflict.

Your Driving Responsibilities

• Driving is a privilege-not a right!• The driving privilege is based on an

assumption that you will be a responsible driver.

• Assume it and respect it! It Will be good to you and low risk, you will enjoy it.

• Disrespect Responsibilities and you may ruin your life and the lives of those around you!

Attitude

• Affects Willingness to Learn

• Reinforces Safe Driving Habits

• Allows for Safe – Enjoyable – Low Risk Driving

BAdditude

• Attention Seekers – Reckless Behaviors

• Road Rage

• Careless When In A Hurry

• Challenge another problem driver

• Peer Pressure – Someone Sometime is going to try to get you to do something that you do not want to do. DO NOT GO THERE!

Breakdowns in the HTS

• Traffic Tie-Ups

• Collisions

A collision occurs when a vehicle conflicts with and hits another object.

Collisions are a major cause of injury and death!

Compare the Odds pg 9

• You will be killed in an airplane crash!

1 in 4,600,000

• You will be killed in a Fire

1 in 40,000

• You will be killed in a Car Crash!

1 in 125

National guidelines

• Laws are passed to make up the vehicle code.• Enforcement agencies assure laws are obeyed• Motor vehicle departments set rules to assure

that driver and vehicle standards are met.• Courts decide the charges for those who violate

laws.• Highway traffic engineers plan, build, and

maintain the roadways.

The system works when we work the system!

Other Responsibilities

• Financial: Driving Related Costs– Fuel– Maintenance– Insurance– Financially for damage and/or injury you

cause!Environmental: Managing Environment

Problems Ex: fuel efficient vehicles, recycling, carpool, public transportation, energy efficient driving.

Your Driver’s License

• Licensing Process– To make sure only safe drivers are allowed on

public roads. Requires: written, physical, & driving exams.

– Three Stages Of Progressive Licensing• PERMIT period : ( Supervised, logged, held for a

period of time without citation (6 months) Collision Free. Must wear Safety Belts, minimum logged hours of practice driving.

• INTERMEDIATE period: 16-17• FULL-PRIVELEGE for LIFE: period 16.5 -18 & on!

Your Beginning

• Driving Is A Mental Decision Making Process

• Your Driving Will Be Greatly Influenced By Your Attitiude

• The Stats Arguing Against Drinking & Driving SHOULD Convince You Not To Drink and Drive

• Safety Belts and Constraints Must Be Used at All Times