Unit 3 Flashcards
What type of vision should you be using when driving?
Both peripheral and central. It’s important to remember that your central vision can’t see everything, so if there is movement in your peripheral vision, you need to focus your central vision on the movement to determine if there is a hazard.
How far ahead of your vehicle should you be looking when driving?
The simple answer is between 4 to 8 seconds when your eyes settle on an area. Realistically, your eyes should always be moving every 3 to 5 seconds, so they won’t settle on one area/distance for long.
How much following distance, between your car and the car in front of you, should you have under normal driving conditions? How much in fog, heave rain, or snow?
At least 3 seconds. Much more depending on visibility and road conditions. How much more is a judgement call, but remember that more is always going to be safer. (also to be considered: add 1 second of following distance for each distraction–i.e, friend in car, talking on phone, listening to music, etc. )
How can you help control the space between you and the vehicle behind you?
Always remember that rear-end collisions are the most common type of preventable collision. More following distance between your car and the car in front of you allows you more time to brake and slow, which allows the car behind you more time to brake and slow, so they are less likely to rear-end you. Turn your turn signal on before you brake, so the car behind you will see your turn signal and brake before or at the same time that you brake. If you brake first and then turn your turn signal on, the driver behind you always brakes after you brake. Anytime you brake, check your rear-view mirror to see how close the car is behind you. Try to brake earlier and brake lightly for the first second or two so your brake lights are on, but you aren’t slowing significantly. Then if the driver behind you isn’t paying attention or is following too closely they have more time to see our brake lights and slow before rear-ending you.
What are the three parts to stopping distance? (Thinking distance=perception+reaction distance)
- Perception time/distance - the time (1/2 to 3/4 second) and distance it takes to perceive a hazard (brake lights).
- Reaction time/distance – the time (1/2 to 3/4 second) and distance it takes to move your foot from the accelerator to the brake once you have perceived the hazard.
- Braking time/distance–the time/distance it takes to bring the car to a stop once you have started pushing the brake pedal.
What happens to stopping distance as speed increases?
It increases exponentially. Doubling your speed doesn’t double your stopping distance; It is much more than that. A little extra speed (5 mph over the speed limit) makes a big difference in your stopping distance and the speed at which a car will hit an object.
How is driving 30 mph in a 25 zone the same as driving 84 mph in a 70 mph zone? Why is driving 30 mph in a 25 mph zone worse than 84 mph in a 70 mph zone?
Both 30 in a 25 and 84 in a 70 zone are 20% over the speed limit (2.5=10% of 25, 5=20%, 7=10% of 70, 14=20%). 30 mph in a 25 zone is more dangerous because there are many hazards in a residential/school zone, that’s why the speed limit is 25! There are very few hazards on the interstate, that’s why the speed limit is 70 (wow I hadn’t really thought about this). 25 mph should feel slow, because 25 mph IS slow. When a car backs out of a driveway, or a kid rides a bike out in front of you, you have a chance to get stopped if you are driving 25 or less. You aren’t getting where you are going sooner by driving faster, you are just increasing your risk of a crash. You are more likely to have to stop at red lights if you are driving over the speed limit because traffic lights work together in an area to control the speed of traffic. That’s why when you are running late it seems like you hit more lights on red and when you are not in a hurry you hit more lights on green.
What are three things good drivers do for good space management (SEE) ?
SEE is the acronym to remember to remind you what you are always doing while driving.
1. Search. 2. Evaluate. 3. Execute (similar to the Smith system IPDE–Identify, predict, decide, execute) As you are driving you are always searching for things that can help make you safer like signs and potential hazards. If you see a potential hazard (i.e.-Car backing out of a driveway) you have to evaluate the situation. How much time do you have to make a decision? Is the driver looking towards me? How fast are they moving? How close to the street are they? Can I get stopped if they continue out into the street? Do I have time to honk? Is there any oncoming traffic or parked cars that I might hit if I move to the left side of the street? You always have to be ready to execute (do something) to make a hazardous situation safer. Two simple options are slow down and move away from the hazard (if there are no hazards caused by moving away). The key here is don’t wait to brake. If you perceive a potential hazard always brake earlier than later. Cars crash because they can’t get stopped. Cars can’t get stopped because the driver doesn’t brake early enough.
What must a driver do to see all potential hazards as they drive?
A driver has to keep their eyes moving and constantly searching (not looking). Every few (2-3seconds) move your eyes to a different area. If you don’t see a sign or potential hazard look somewhere else.
Where should you be searching (not looking)?
Searching is looking for something specific. There is thought involved. Versus just looking around with no intent to find something. Much like hearing vs. listening. Similar, but very different. As you are driving you should have specific places you move your eyes to(organized, aggressive visual search). Your eyes should move from closer to your car to farther away. They should be scanning left to right. Every 5 to 10 seconds you should be checking a mirror (rearview move, but also left and right). Remember, searching and/or scan, but don’t stare. Always thinking–where does my clsoest potential hazard come from in this driving situation (pedestrians at a crosswalk, cars turning left in front of you, cars turning right on red)? If you know what your potential hazards are and where to look for them, you’ll see them sooner and be able to brake earlier.
Before you drive through any intersection, what should you do?
Just like your parents have been telling you since you were 2 years old, look both ways before you cross the street. Just because you are in a car doesn’t mean you don’t have to look both way. A pedestrian or bicyclist might walk/ride out in front of you, or a car might run the stop-sign/red light. Once you pass the point of no return (PNR) turn your head and look left and right a distance of 2-3 seconds down the side street.
