A System of Roads and Drivers

NV Driver Education Curriculum

Unit 1: Driver Responsibility and Licensing

Presentation 1 of 4

Becoming a Roadway User

• In the 1880s and 1890s the use of the bicycle spurred interest in creating roads

• In 1908 Henry Ford introduced the Model T automobile– Began construction

of paved roads– Need for driver

licenses/certification

Early roads of Nevada

Creation of the Driver’s License

• In 1903, Massachusetts and Missouri were the first to establish driver licensing laws (mostly an application process for chauffeurs)

– Exams came much later: MA(1920) MO(1952)

1928 New

Jersey License

In MO the gas stations sold drivers licenses – “…no test. For 25 cents, they gave you a stub – you had this until the ‘real’ license came in the mail.”1906 Chauffeurs

Creation of the Driver’s License Exam

• In 1908, Rhode Island was the first state to require an examination of driver competency

• South Dakota was the last state to impose driver licenses (1954) and the last state to require examinations (1959)

1928 Chicago

1941 Colorado

1983 Oregon Exam

Early Roads:Toll Roads & Turnpikes

• From 1790 to 1850, private toll roads were the nation’s primary land transportation – Toll roads are privately owned roads– Charged a fee to use road

• Turnpike is anexpressway with toll gates

1917 Long Island Motor Parkway

Early Roads in Nevada

• Between 1859 and 1880, 117 toll roads were created in NV (used by horse and wagons)

• The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 helped establish state routes: Lincoln Hwy (I-80) Victory Hwy(US 40) Los Angeles Hwy (I-15) and US 93

Ely, NV 1950Fallon, NV 1930 Las Vegas, NV 1944Tonopah, NV 1915

Creation of a National System

• In 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act – began today’s national system of roadways

• Became known as the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways– To transport military and weapons

U.S. 40 in 1953 Design of the Interstate System evolved from

freeways such as the PA Turnpike (above) and the CA Freeway (right) both

opened in 1940s

Today’s Roadway

• The U.S. has over 46,000 miles of interstate highways

• Longest, I-90, an east-west route stretching 3000 miles through 13 states

• Interstates have made the U.S. rich in social and economic growth– Studied by Russian and

Chinese (looking to grow)

The Highway Transportation System (HTS)

• The highway transportation system (HTS) has three parts: – Roadway users– Vehicles– Roads

• The purpose of the HTS is to move people and cargo in a safe and efficient manner

Roadway Users

• Safe operation of the HTS depends on the attitude and behavior of its users

• People use the HTS by– Walking– Driving– Riding

Vehicles

• Drivers must share the road with others – Mopeds and motorcycles– Cars and trucks– Tractor trailers– Buses and trains– Bicycles – Pedestrians

Roadways

• Skillful drivers must be alert to driving situations• Roadway conditions vary

– Urban and rural– Paved and unpaved– Light and unlit– Straight, curves, and hills– Adverse weather conditions

Regulating the HTS

• Federal, state, and local governments agencies work together to regulate the HTS

• In 1966, two laws were established that allowed the federal government to set standards and guidelines for vehicles and highways– The National Highway

Safety Act– The National Traffic and

Motor Vehicle Safety Act

National Highway Safety Act

All states must have and regulate:– Vehicle registration– Driver licensing– Traffic courts– Highway construction (design)

and maintenance

National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

• Requires auto makers to install certain safety features in all vehicles– Head rests– Shatter-resistant windshields– Safety belts

• Aimed at reducinginjuries and deaths

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• In 1921, NV began issuing motor vehicle licenses• In 1949, NV established a Highway Patrol• In 1957, NV DMV was established to administer

motor vehicle laws and driver licensing duties

Nevada Motor Vehicle Laws

Many of Nevada motor vehicle laws can be found in Nevada Revised Statues Chapter 484

• Open Container (illegal within vehicle)

• Blood Alcohol Limit 0.08, if under 21 yrs 0.02

• Right on red (allowed)

• Seat Belt (required) under 6yrs/60lbs restraint

• U-Turns (allowed) unless prohibited by sign

• Pedestrians (vehicles must yield)

• School Police can issue traffic citations

Facts to Know

Thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the passage of legislation

The annual death rate in 1925 was 18 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. In 2008, it was only 1.7 per 100 million.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts