Traffic Vocabulary and DefinitionsTraffic Vocabulary and Definitions

The funny thing about driving your car off a cliff, I bet you're still hitting those brakes. – Jack Handey

Absolute Speed LimitAbsolute Speed Limit

The maximum or minimum posted speed The maximum or minimum posted speed at which one may drive under normal at which one may drive under normal conditions in good weather.conditions in good weather.

Acceleration LaneAcceleration Lane

A lane used by drivers entering the A lane used by drivers entering the expressway to pick up speed so they can expressway to pick up speed so they can merge with expressway traffic.merge with expressway traffic.

Accelerator PedalAccelerator Pedal

Controls the flow of fuel to the engine and Controls the flow of fuel to the engine and regulates speed.regulates speed.

Actual Physical ControlActual Physical Control

A person can be charged with DUI of A person can be charged with DUI of alcohol or some other drug if they have the alcohol or some other drug if they have the ability to move their vehicle.ability to move their vehicle.

Advisory Speed LimitAdvisory Speed Limit

A speed limit that advises drivers that an A speed limit that advises drivers that an adjusted speed is necessary for a short adjusted speed is necessary for a short period of time.period of time.

Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)

A vehicle braking system that is designed A vehicle braking system that is designed to keep a vehicle’s wheel from locking to keep a vehicle’s wheel from locking when brakes are applied with greater than when brakes are applied with greater than normal force.normal force.

Basic Speed LawBasic Speed Law

Any speed under the absolute limit that is Any speed under the absolute limit that is safe for existing road, weather, or traffic safe for existing road, weather, or traffic conditions.conditions.

Blind SpotBlind Spot

Areas to the sides and rear of the vehicle Areas to the sides and rear of the vehicle that the driver cannot see with the use of that the driver cannot see with the use of either side or rear view mirrors.either side or rear view mirrors.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The percentage of alcohol found in a person’s blood at The percentage of alcohol found in a person’s blood at any given time. In addition, BAC is how law enforcement any given time. In addition, BAC is how law enforcement measures the level of intoxication in a person. (Alabama measures the level of intoxication in a person. (Alabama BAC limit for underage persons .02%, 21 and BAC limit for underage persons .02%, 21 and older .08%)older .08%)

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide

A highly poisonous gas that is given off by burning fossil A highly poisonous gas that is given off by burning fossil fuel. It is colorless and odorless.fuel. It is colorless and odorless. Note: Many people die each year from breathing this Note: Many people die each year from breathing this

gas. Most are teens or young adults sitting in parked gas. Most are teens or young adults sitting in parked vehicles.vehicles.

Centrifugal ForceCentrifugal Force

A natural law that tends to push a vehicle A natural law that tends to push a vehicle out of a curve and into a straight path.out of a curve and into a straight path.

Contrast SensitivityContrast Sensitivity

The ability to see under difficult conditions The ability to see under difficult conditions such as glare from oncoming headlights, such as glare from oncoming headlights, heavy snow conditions, and even driving heavy snow conditions, and even driving at night.at night.

Cover the BrakeCover the Brake

Take your foot off the accelerator and hold Take your foot off the accelerator and hold it over the brake pedal to be ready to it over the brake pedal to be ready to brake quickly.brake quickly.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence of any mind altering drug. Driving under the influence of any mind altering drug. This includes alcohol, prescription and non-prescription This includes alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs, marijuana, hallucinogenic drugs, and any other drugs, marijuana, hallucinogenic drugs, and any other drugs that alter the brain.drugs that alter the brain. In Alabama you can be arrested and taken to jail for a In Alabama you can be arrested and taken to jail for a

BAC of .05% even when the legal limit for adults (21 BAC of .05% even when the legal limit for adults (21 and over) is .08%and over) is .08%

Fresh/ Stale Green LightFresh/ Stale Green Light

Fresh Green Light- light has just turned Fresh Green Light- light has just turned from red to greenfrom red to green

Stale Green Light- light that has been Stale Green Light- light that has been green for a long timegreen for a long time

Hand PositionHand Position Refers to hand placement on Refers to hand placement on

the steering wheel while the steering wheel while drivingdriving Hand-over-hand steering– Hand-over-hand steering–

method where hands cross method where hands cross over each other while over each other while turningturning

Push-pull-feed steering– Push-pull-feed steering– method where hands do method where hands do not cross while turning not cross while turning (used with airbags)(used with airbags)

““9 and 3” or “10 and 2”– 9 and 3” or “10 and 2”– refers to hand placement refers to hand placement while drivingwhile driving

Highway HypnosisHighway Hypnosis

A trance-like state of drowsiness that can occur with little A trance-like state of drowsiness that can occur with little warning, usually occurs after long hours behind the warning, usually occurs after long hours behind the wheel caused by concentration on the road ahead and wheel caused by concentration on the road ahead and the monotony of drivingthe monotony of driving

To fight highway hypnosis it is recommended to stop and walk around your vehicle every 100 miles or 2 hours.

HydroplaningHydroplaning

Condition in which the tires of a moving Condition in which the tires of a moving vehicle ride on a cushion of water causing vehicle ride on a cushion of water causing loss of control in both steering and brakingloss of control in both steering and braking

Implied ConsentImplied Consent

The law stating that any licensed driver The law stating that any licensed driver cannot legally refuse to be tested for cannot legally refuse to be tested for alcohol or drug use while behind the wheel alcohol or drug use while behind the wheel or in “actual physical control” of a vehicle. or in “actual physical control” of a vehicle. You give consent when you sign your You give consent when you sign your licenselicense

OverdriveOverdrive

At speeds of 40-45 mph the vehicle automatically shifts At speeds of 40-45 mph the vehicle automatically shifts into overdrive. Driving in this gear saves fuel and can be into overdrive. Driving in this gear saves fuel and can be used for all normal driving conditions.used for all normal driving conditions.

Over-driving your headlightsOver-driving your headlights

Driving so fast at night that a driver is Driving so fast at night that a driver is unable to stop within the range of their unable to stop within the range of their headlightsheadlights

SIPDESIPDE

The basic principles of defensive driving. The basic principles of defensive driving. The letters stand for:The letters stand for:

Space MarginSpace Margin A cushion of space a driver tries to maintain around their A cushion of space a driver tries to maintain around their

vehicle. Space margin distance increases as speed goes vehicle. Space margin distance increases as speed goes up.up.

Note: A safe following distance for good weather is about Note: A safe following distance for good weather is about two (2) seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. As the two (2) seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. As the weather becomes worse, your space margin should weather becomes worse, your space margin should increase.increase.

Stop BarStop Bar

The white line painted The white line painted on the road where a on the road where a stop is required. They stop is required. They are most commonly are most commonly found at intersections. found at intersections. DO NOT CROSSDO NOT CROSS

Total Stopping DistanceTotal Stopping Distance

The distance to bring a vehicle to a The distance to bring a vehicle to a complete stop from the time of perception complete stop from the time of perception until the wheels actually stop rolling.until the wheels actually stop rolling.

Note: At 60 mph a vehicle equipped with Note: At 60 mph a vehicle equipped with good tires and brakes travels almost 300 good tires and brakes travels almost 300 feet from the time you see the conflict until feet from the time you see the conflict until you actually bring the vehicle to a stop.you actually bring the vehicle to a stop.

Uncontrolled StopUncontrolled Stop

Usually in a neighborhood, this is where a Usually in a neighborhood, this is where a stop is required but there is no sign.stop is required but there is no sign.

VelocitizingVelocitizing

The sensation of moving more slowly than one actually is The sensation of moving more slowly than one actually is as a result of driving at a fast speed for a long period of as a result of driving at a fast speed for a long period of time.time.

Example: Leaving the freeway and moving to a surface Example: Leaving the freeway and moving to a surface street with a speed limit of 35 mph. As a result traveling street with a speed limit of 35 mph. As a result traveling at the speed limit may seem much slower.at the speed limit may seem much slower.