Vocab Flashcards
0
Q
Acceleration lane
A
Lane that permits drivers entering an expressway to accelerate to the speed of expressway traffic
1
Q
Highway transportation system or HTS
A
System made up of three parts: people, vehicles, and roadways
2
Q
Accelerator pedal
A
Controls the flow of fuel to the engine and regulates speed
3
Q
Active restraint device
A
Restraint device that you have to engage
4
Q
Advisory speed limit
A
Speed limit set for special conditions such as sharp curves
5
Q
Alternator
A
Device that generates an electrical current needed to recharge the battery and operate electrical equipment in a vehicle
6
Q
Alternator warning light
A
Light or gauge on the instrument panel warning that the battery is being drained
7
Q
Angle parking
A
Parking the vehicle diagonally to the curb
8
Q
Antilock braking system/ABS
A
Computer-controlled braking system that keeps the wheels from locking if the driver brakes hard
9
Q
Assigned risk insurance
A
Provides minimum bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to high-risk drivers for a higher premium
10
Q
Back up lights
A
White lights at the rear of the vehicle that tell other drivers you are backing up
11
Q
Banked curve
A
Curve higher on the outside than it is on the inside that helps overcome a vehicle’s tendency to move to the outside of the curve
12
Q
Basic speed law
A
Law stating that you may not drive faster than it is safe and prudent for existing conditions, regardless of posted speed limits
13
Q
Belted tire
A
Tire that has special layers added to a bias-ply tire for improved strength, performance, and mileage
14
Q
Blind spot area
A
Area that rearview mirrors cannot show
15
Q
Blood alcohol concentration/BAC
A
Amount of alcohol in the blood expressed as a percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream
16
Q
Blowout
A
Sudden loss of tire air pressure while driving
17
Q
Bluebook price
A
Average market value for a specific model and age of a used vehicle
18
Q
Bodily injury insurance
A
Covers the driver who is at fault against claims
19
Q
Break fade
A
Loss of breaking effectiveness caused by the brakes overheating after long, continuous, hard braking
20
Q
Braking distance
A
Distance your vehicle travels from the time you apply the break until your vehicle stops
21
Q
Carpooling
A
Several individuals sharing transportation to one or more destinations in a car
22
Q
Carbon monoxide
A
Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas contained in the exhaust fumes of gasoline engines
23
Q
Carburetor
A
Engine part that mixes air and gasoline in the proper proportion and sends it as a fine mist to the engine cylinders
24
Catalytic converter
Part of a vehicle's emission system that converts harmful gases into less harmful gases and water
25
Center of gravity
Point around which an object's weight is evenly distributed
26
Central vision
Cone shaped area of up to 10° in your field of vision in which you can see clearly while looking straight ahead
27
Closed zone
Space not open to you because of a restriction in your line of sight or intended path of travel
28
Clutch pedal
Pedal in a manual transmission vehicle that enables a driver to shift gears
29
Collision
Contact between two or more objects, as when two vehicles collide into each other
30
Collision insurance
Provides coverage to pay the costs of repair or replacement of your vehicle from a collision
31
Colorblindness
Inability to distinguish colors
32
Commentary driving
System of thinking out loud as you practice the IPDE process
33
Common speed
Speed used by most drivers on an expressway
34
Comprehensive insurance
Provides coverage for replacement or repair of your vehicle from damage other than from a collision
35
Compromise space
Reduce risk by giving as much space as possible to the greater of two or more hazards
36
Console
Compartment mounted between the front seats in a vehicle
37
Controlled access highway
Highway that vehicles can enter and exit only interchanges
38
Controlled braking
Reduced speed as quickly as possible while maintaining steering control of your vehicle
39
Controlled intersection
Intersection at which traffic signals or signs determine the right of way
40
Controlled railroad crossing
Railroad crossing controlled by flashing red lights and/or crossing gates
41
Countersteer
Steer in the opposite direction
42
Cover the brake
Take your foot off the accelerator and hold it over the brake pedal to be ready to brake quickly
43
Crossbuck
Large white X shaped sign located beside an uncontrolled railroad crossing
44
Cruise control
Device that lets you maintain your desired speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator
45
Deceleration lane
Expressway lane used to slow your vehicle without blocking vehicles behind you
46
Decide
Third step of the IPDE process in which the driver selects the best actions as well as when and where to take them to avoid conflicts
47
Deductible
Amount an insurance policy holder agrees to pay toward vehicle repair or replacement
48
Defensive driving
Protecting yourself and others from dangerous and unexpected driving situations
49
Delayed greenlight
Indicates that one side of the intersection has a green light while the light for the oncoming traffic remains right
50
Depreciation
Decrease in the value of the vehicle overtime
51
Depressant
Drug that can slow down the central nervous system
52
Depth perception
Ability to judge distance between yourself and other objects
53
Designated driver
Person who decides ahead of time not to drink alcoholic beverages and is appointed to drive others who do drink
54
Differential
Arrangement of gears at the rear of the vehicle allowing one wheel to revolve faster than the opposite wheels during turns
55
Downshifting
Shifting from a higher to a lower gear
56
Driveshaft
In the rear wheel vehicles, long metal tube turned by the transmission that carries power to the differential
57
Driving task
All social, physical, and mental skills required to drive
58
Driving under the influence/DUI
And offense for which a driver can be charged in some states if the driver's blood alcohol concentration/BAC is above 0.05
59
Driving while intoxicated/DWI
And offense for which a driver can be charged in all states if the driver's blood alcohol concentration is above a certain level
60
Emotion
Strong feelings such as anger, fear, and joy
61
Energy of motion
Kinetic Energy or the energy an object has because it is moving
62
Engine management system
Computerized system that monitors and adjusts the fuel, ignition, and emission system
63
Entrance ramp
Ramp leading onto an expressway
64
Euphoria
False sense of well-being developed as a result alcohol or drug consumption
65
Execute
Fourth step of the IPDE process in which a driver performs proper vehicle control responses to avoid possible conflicts
66
Exit ramp
Ramp leading off an expressway
67
Field of vision
All the area a person can see while looking straight ahead
68
Field sobriety test
Series of on the spot, roadside tests that help an officer detect impairment of a driver suspected of DUI or DWI
69
Financial responsibility law
Law that requires you to prove that you can pay for collision damages you cause resulting in death, injury, or property damage
70
Fishtail
Sliding of the rear of the vehicle from side to side
71
Flashing signal
Traffic signal that alerts drivers to dangerous conditions or tells them to stop
72
Force of impact
Force with which one moving object hits another object; varies according to speed, weight, and distance between impact and stop
73
4-6 second range
Area where you will be traveling during the next 4 to 6 seconds, and where you get the final update of how you are controlling your intended path of travel
74
Fresh green light
Light that has just turned from red to green
75
Friction
Force that keeps each tire from sliding on the road
76
Friction point
In shifting, the point at which you feel the engine take hold and the vehicle start to move
77
Fringe vision
The parts of your peripheral vision that is closest to your central vision and helps you monitor zone changes
78
Fuel injection system
Fuel combustion system in which vaporized fuel is pumped under pressure to the engine cylinders
79
Full stop
A complete stop as required at a stop sign or red light
80
Gap
Distance between vehicles
81
Glare recovery time
Time your eyes need to regain clear vision after being affected by glare
82
Glare resistance
Ability to continue seeing when looking at bright lights
83
Graduated driver licensing program
Program requiring young drivers to progress through a series of licensing stages with various restrictions
84
Gravity
Force that pulls all things to earth
85
Ground viewing
Making quick glances to the roadway in front of your vehicle
86
Guide sign
Sign that gives directions, distance, services, points of interest, and other information
87
Hallucinogens
Mind-altering drug that tends to distort a person's perceptions of direction, distance, and time
88
Hand-over-hand steering
Pulling the steering wheel down with one hand while the other hand crosses over to pull the wheel further down
89
Hazard flasher
Device that flashes front turn signal lights and taillights to warn others the vehicle is a hazard
90
Head restraints
Padded devices on the backs of front seats that help reduce whiplash injuries in a collision
91
Highway hypnosis
Drowsy or trancelike condition caused by concentration on the roadway ahead and monotony of driving
92
Hydroplaning
Occurs when a tire loses road contact by rising up on top of water
93
Identify
First step in the IPDE process in which the driver locates potential hazards
94
Ignition switch
Switch operated by key which starts or stops the engine
95
Implied-consent law
States that anyone who receives a driver's license automatically consents to be tested for blood alcohol content and other drugs if stopped for suspicion of drug use while driving
96
Inhibitions
Inner forces of personality that restrain or holdback impulsive behavior
97
International symbols
Symbols used on traffic signs that give a message without using words
98
Intoxilyzer
Breath-test machine most commonly used for determining blood alcohol content
99
IPDE process
Organized process of seeing, thinking, and responding that includes the steps of identifying, predicting, deciding, and executing
100
Jack
Hand operated device used to lift and hold one corner or side of the vehicle
101
Joining traffic
Turning right or left into lanes of other vehicles
102
Lane signal
Signal, usually overhead, that tells whether a lane can or cannot be used at a specific time
103
Leasing
Alternative to purchasing a vehicle
104
Legend
Chart that explains the markings and symbols used on a map
105
Liability insurance
Provides compensation for damages to a third-party for which the insured is legally obligated to pay; covers others when you are at fault
106
Line of sight
Distance you can see ahead in the direction you are looking
107
Lug nuts
Devices that hold the wheel to the vehicle
108
Mass transportation
Involves moving large numbers of people together from place to place
109
Master cylinder
Device in the brake system from which brake fluid is forced to the wheel cylinders when a driver steps on the brake pedal
110
Median
Area of ground separating traffic moving in opposite directions
111
Merging area
Stretch of roadway at the end of an acceleration lane on expressway where vehicles join the flow of traffic
112
Minimize a hazard
Reduce the possibility of conflict by putting more space between your vehicle and the hazard
113
Minimum speed limit
Speed limit to keep traffic moving safely by not allowing drivers to drive slower than a certain speed
114
Moped
Two wheeled vehicle that can be driven with either a motor or pedal
115
Motorscooter
Low powered, two wheeled vehicle that is more powerful than a moped
116
Muffler
Device that reduces the noise from combustion sounds in the engine
117
Navigating
Following a route by reading a map
118
Night blindness
Not being able to see well at night
119
No-fault insurance
Covers an insured's losses and expenses associated with the collision regardless of who is at fault
120
No zones
Large blind spot areas where truck drivers cannot see other vehicles
121
Nystagmus
Involuntary jerking of the eyes as a person gazes to the side
122
Odometer
Device on the instrument panel indicating the total number of miles the vehicle has been driven
123
Oil pump
Devices that forces oil from the oil pan to parts of the engine that need lubrication
124
Open zone
Space where you can drive without a restriction to your line of sight or intended path of travel
125
Orderly visual search pattern
Process of searching critical areas in a regular sequence
126
Over driving headlights
Driving at the speed that makes your stopping distance longer than the distance lighted by your headlights
127
Oversteer
Turning the steering wheel too much
128
Overtake
Pass the vehicle ahead
129
Over the counter/OTC medicine
Drug that can be obtained legally without a doctor's prescription
130
Parallel parking
Parking the vehicle parallel to the curb
131
Passive restraint device
Restraint device, such as an airbag or automatic seat belt, that works automatically
132
Path of travel
Space your vehicle will occupy as you travel ahead
133
Pedestrian signal
Signal used at a heavy traffic intersection that tells pedestrians whether they should walk or wait
134
Peer education
Process in which young people help other young people make decisions and determine goals
135
Peer pressure
Influence of others of similar age
136
Perception distance
Distance your vehicle travels during perception time
137
Perception time
Length of time you take to identify, predict, and decide to slow for a hazard
138
Peripheral vision
Area a person can see to the left and right central vision
139
Perpendicular parking
Parking the vehicle at a right angle to the curb
140
Personal reference point
Adapting the standard reference point to one's own vehicle
141
Point of no return
Point beyond which a driver can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection
142
Power plant
Vehicle's engine or motor that generates power
143
Predict
Second step of the IPDE process in which the driver anticipates possible conflicts
144
Premium
Specified amount of money paid to an insurance company for insurance coverage over a specific period of time
145
Prescription medicine
Drug that can be purchased legally only when ordered by the doctor
146
Preventive maintenance
Routine care and attention to your vehicle
147
Principal driver
Person who will drive a certain vehicle most often
148
Property damage insurance
Protects the driver who is at fault against claims for damages to another person's property, up to specified limits
149
Protected left turn
Left turn made on a left turn light, green arrow, or delayed greenlight while oncoming traffic is stopped
150
Protective equipment
Items a motorcyclist wears to protect head, eyes, and body
151
Pull out area
Additional right lane on Narrow Mountain roadways for slower moving vehicles
152
Push pull steering
Pushing the steering wheel up with one hand and pulling it down with the other
153
Radial tire
Tire that has plies that run straight across under the tread and strengthening belts of steel or other materials that circle the tire
154
Radiator
Part of cooling system that holds and cools the coolant
155
Reaction distance
Distance your vehicle travels while you react
156
Reaction time
Length of time you take to execute your action
157
Recreational vehicle
Large vehicles such as a van, motorhome, camper, travel trailer, pick up truck, or sport utility vehicle, used mainly for pleasure and travel
158
Reference point
Part of the outside or inside of the vehicle, as viewed from the driver's seat, that relates to some part of the roadway
159
Regulatory sign
Sign that controls traffic
160
Restraint device
Any part of a vehicle that holds an occupant in the seat during a collision
161
Ride the brake
Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
162
Riding the clutch
Resting your foot on the clutch pedal while driving
163
Right-of-way
Privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of the roadway
164
Right turn on red
Turning right when the red signal is on unless specifically prohibited to turn
165
Risk
Driving, possibility of having conflict that results in a collision
166
Roadway marking
Marking that gives you a warning or direction
167
Rocking a vehicle
Repeating the sequence of driving forward a little and then back a little to move your vehicle out of deep snow, mud, or sand
168
Roadway users
People who use the HTS by walking, driving or riding
169
Rumble strips
Sections of rough pavement intended to alert drivers of approaching roadway construction, tollbooth Plaza, or other traffic conditions
170
Runaway vehicle ramp
Place on a mountain road way for vehicles to safely get out of traffic when their brakes are not effective
171
Safety chains
Backup link used in case a trailer hitch fails
172
Scanning
Glancing continually and quickly with very brief Eye fixations through your orderly visual search pattern
173
School zone
Portion of the street or highway near a school that is subject to special speed limits
174
Selector lever
Device in the automatic transmission vehicle used to select gears
175
Selective seeing
Identifying and selecting only those clues and events that restrict your line of sight or can change your intended path of travel
176
Separate the hazards
Process of adjusting the speed of the vehicle to handle one hazard at a time when two or more hazards threaten a driver
177
Shares left turn lane
Lane on a busy street that helps drivers make safer mid block left turns into business areas from the center lane
178
Skid
When tires lose part or all of their grip on the road
179
Slow moving vehicle
Vehicle unable to travel at Highway speed
180
Smith System
Organized method designed to help drivers develop good seeing habits by using five rules for safe driving
