Behind-The-Wheel Practice Guide

8/7/2019 Behind-The-Wheel Practice Guide

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behind the wheela practice driving guide for teens and parents

vehicle and driving saety


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our mission

This publication is not medical, saety, legal, tax or investment advice. It is only a general overview o the subject presented. The USAA EducationalFoundation, a nonproft organization, does not provide proessional services or fnancial, accounting or legal matters. Consult your tax and legal advisersregarding your specifc situation. Inormation in this publication could be time sensitive and may be outdated. The Foundation does not endorse or promoteany commercial supplier, product or service.

The mission o The USAA

Educational Foundation is

to help consumers make

inormed decisions by providing

inormation on nancial

management, saety concerns

and signicant lie events.


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table o contents

November 2010

g s 2An introduction

tp P 4Leading by example

d s 6Practicing situations with your teen

d l 15Tracking your teens driving sessions

s a s r 16Helping keep your teen sae

c a v y t 18Identiying saety eatures

P a t s d a 19Establishing driving rules with your teen


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2

Teen drivers have the highest crash involvement and atality rates o any group. They are not only

inexperienced, but they oten overestimate their abilities. Distractions contribute to more than hal

o all crashes.

Driver education programs are important in helping beginning drivers learn undamental skills and

the rules o the road. But, it takes more than just learning the basics to saely operate a vehicle.

It takes practice, supervised practice.

This publication will assist you in guiding your teen through progressively complex practice driv-

ing sessions, identiying common driving distractions, sharing saety and security reminders and

entering into a sae-driving agreement with your teen driver.

d dAccording to the National Highway Trafc Saety Administration (NHTSA), distractions while driving

are the number one cause o teenage accidents. Discuss with your teen the importance o paying

attention while driving. Distractions contribute to more than hal o all crashes because they dis-

rupt a drivers concentration and shorten reaction time.

The most common distractions are:

Talking on a cell phone or texting.

Talking with other passengers.

Changing radio stations or CDs.

Eating or drinking.

Combing or brushing hair, putting on makeup or shaving.

The National Saety Council (NSC) estimates at least 28 percent o all trac crashes or at

least 1.6 million crashes each year are caused by drivers using cell phones (either talking or

texting).

According to a study conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory, drivers who use cell phones

to send text messages while driving dramatically increase the likelihood o a crash. The study

suggested that reaction times deteriorated by 35 percent.

Another study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) indicated that o all

cell phone related tasks texting while driving is the most dangerous.

getting started


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3

Your teen will learn driving habits by watching you drive.

when driving, do you ever

yes no

Change radio stations or CDs? q q

Eat, drink or smoke? q q

Pick something up rom the foor that you have dropped? q q

Read or write? q q

Reach or something in the glove compartment? q q

Talk or text on your cell phone? q q

Comb or brush your hair; put on your makeup; shave? q q

Put on contact lenses or use eye drops? q q

File, clip or polish your nails? q q

I you answered yes to any o the questions, you have been a distracted driver. Lead by example

and demonstrate sae driving habits. Your teen driver needs to understand that any kind o distrac-

tion can impact sae driving. Engage in discussion with your teen about how to avoid distractions.

a d

Stay ocused and pay attention.

Do not drive i you are tired.

I you need to use your cell phone while driving, pull o the traveled roadway and stop in

a sae place beore using your phone.

Keep your conversation with passengers to a minimum.

Have your passenger change the radio station or CD.


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5

m t m o t P s

Plan the route or each session and discuss the skills you will be observing with your teen.

Begin with 15 to 20 minute sessions and gradually increase to an hour.

Stay calm. Remember, your teen is nervous too.

Give positive eedback lots o it.

Be patient and expect mistakes.

Give specic but concise instructions.

Check trac beore instructing your teen to change lanes, make turns or stop.

Direct your teens attention to changing road conditions, hazards and other drivers. This

helps develop their ability to anticipate potential problems.

Instruct your teen to always be aware o motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Ater each session, give your teen constructive eedback and ask or eedback about your

instruction.

the atal crash risk or drivers aged 16 to 19 is greater

when other teens are Passengers than it is when drivingalone, according to the insurance institute or highway

saety (iihs).


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6 driving scenarios

s o: oYou are behind the wheel in this scenario. The objective is or you to guide your teen through the

process o driving. Use the vehicle your teen will be driving or the remainder o the practice ses-

sions. Focus on the skills and explain why you are doing things. This helps you put the basic skills

together in a useul sequence or your teen driver.

The observation scenario is intended to be an active exercise. Engage your teen in dialogue about

the driving skills you are demonstrating.

in the driveway

exPlain the basic oPeration notes

q Vehicle saety eatures airbags, seat belts

q Seat controls

q Steering wheel adjustment

q Mirror controls

q Dashboard

q Signal controls

q Windshield wipers

q Emergency lights

q Parking brake and release

q Gear shit

q Location o insurance documentation and registration


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on the road

demonstrate and exPlain the skills notes

q Using signals

q Using mirrors

q Checking blind spots

q Braking

q Turning

q Changing lanes

q Maintaining speed

q Driving deensively anticipating the actions oother drivers

q Maintaining proper ollowing distances

q Scanning or hazards anticipating potentialproblems

q Being aware o motorcyclists

q Yielding intersections and right o way

q Merging

q Parking on the street and in parking lots

q Backing up


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s t: g t o t vThis driving scenario should take place in a large empty parking lot. The purpose o this scenario

is to help the teen driver eel comortable maneuvering the vehicle. Emphasis is placed on basic

skills. Even i your teen has taken a driver-education course, getting the eel o the vehicle they

will be driving is very important. All vehicles handle dierently.

Check each item when you eel the skill has been mastered.

basic oPeration

q Adjusting the mirrors, seat and steering wheel

q Locating the blind spots

q Starting the engine

q Accelerating

q Turning

q Using signals

q Braking

q Backing up

q Parking pulling into and out o a parking space

sp cI your vehicle is equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS), it is important to teach your

teen how to operate the brakes saely. Drivers should never pump antilock brakes. This type o

braking system pumps the brakes automatically, many times every second. Instead, apply rm

and continuous pressure to the brake pedal to activate the antilock brakes. When antilock brakes

are working, the driver may eel a pulsating sensation rom the brake pedal.


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Have your teen practice hard braking by accelerating to 25 or 30 mph and pressing hard on the

brakes. Repeat several times until your teen is comortable with the eel o antilock brakes.

I your vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, you may want to have your teen practice this tech-

nique: Place an empty box in the center o a large empty parking lot. While approaching the box at

a speed o 25 or 30 mph, have your teen hit the brakes, steer around it and get back into the lane.

s t: l tf aPlan a route along neighborhood and city streets. Be sure to choose streets with speed limits thatare not more than 35 mph. Beore you depart, talk with your teen about the route and any special

situations you expect to encounter such as school zones or road construction.


skills

q Using signals

q Braking

q Turning right

q Turning let

q Approaching controlled intersectionswith trac lights or signs

q Approaching uncontrolled intersections

q Making protected and unprotected turns

q Determining right o way

q Changing lanes

q Maintaining proper speed

q Scanning and identiying hazards

q Maintaining proper ollowing distances

sPecial considerations

q Pedestrians

q Crosswalks

q Bicyclists

q Bike lanes

q Children and pets

qMotorcyclists

q School buses

q School zones

q Emergency vehicles

q Bus stops

qTurning lanes


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s : u aThis scenario should be practiced on city streets with speed limits o 45 mph or less. The busi-

ness district, shopping areas and downtown may be good choices or sessions on urban trac.

Plan your route in advance and prepare your teen or the added challenges o heavier trac and

increased trac control measures.


skills

q Keeping up with the fow o trac, butnot ollowing too closely



q Turning rom the proper lane

q Adjusting speed

q Maneuvering in busy parking lots

q Parking streets and lots

q Entering the roadway

q Merging with trac



q Crosswalks

q Buses

q Heavier trac

q Restricted-use lanes buses,right turn only

q One-way streets

q Street-parked vehicles

q Motorcyclists

According to a study by the Insurance Institute or Highway Saety (IIHS), nearly hal o all urban

crashes occur at intersections. These types o crashes occur mostly in the aternoon or early

evening.


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s : r rAter your teen has mastered the low trac and urban driving scenarios, you are ready to guide

them through the rural road scenario. Rural roads present a number o challenges to the beginning

driver. These roads oten consist o two narrow lanes, divided only by painted lines. They can have

sharp curves and generally do not have shoulders or sae emergency maneuvering.


skills





q Handling curves

q Passing other vehicles

q Allowing others to pass



q Animals

q Limited sight distances

q Slow-moving vehicles

q Higher speeds

q Vehicles entering the roadway romside roads

q Cautionary signs

q Motorcyclists

nearly 75% o all rollover crashes occur in rural areas,

so Practice with caution when driving on rural roads.

national HigHway traffic safety administration (nHtsa)


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s s: h a iThis driving scenario takes place on urban and rural highways. Be sure to consider the time o day

when choosing your routes. You will want to expose your teen to a variety o trac situations. Start

with low trafc situations and gradually progress to high trafc times and routes. Discuss the routes

in advance and prepare your teen or any special situations you expect to encounter (or example,

interchanges, construction zones).


skills

q Entering the roadway

q Keeping up with the fow o trac,but not ollowing too closely


q Changing lanes always signaling

q Passing

q Allowing others to pass

q Merging with trac

q Exiting

q Scanning or hazards


q Higher speeds equal longer stoppingdistances

q Blind spots

q Large trucks

q Highway interchanges

q Motorcyclists

Truck drivers have blind spots in ront o, behind and on both sides o their large vehicles. Remember,

i you cannot see the drivers ace in the trucks side view mirrors, he cannot see you. Do not ollow

a truck too closely. This will keep you out o the blind spot and give you a better view o the road.


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s s: n dFor the nighttime scenario, choose streets on which your teen has previously practiced. The amil-

iarity o landmarks and intersections will help them better recognize how things appear dierently

at night.


skills

q Adjusting mirrors to reduce glare

q Turning lights on at twilight



q Using high beams appropriately

q Avoiding glare rom oncoming trac



q Scanning or and identiying hazards

q Determining distances


q Limited sight distances

q Animals

q Pedestrians

q Stopped vehicles

q Driver atigue/drowsiness

q Motorcyclists

According to the Insurance Institute or Highway Saety (IIHS), hal o teenage motor vehicle atali-

ties occur between the hours o 3 p.m. and midnight. When you consider that the majority o high

school social and extracurricular activities take place at night, the importance o nighttime driving

practice becomes critical.


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s e: i wRain, snow and ice can make driving hazardous, even or the most experienced driver. Helping

your teen gain driving experience during poor weather conditions is very important. Ater you are

comortable with your teens driving perormance in all other situations, it is time to progress to

the inclement weather scenario.

Begin by having your teen practice driving maneuvers in a large empty parking lot. When you are

both ready or an on-road session, choose a route that is amiliar.


skills

q Using lights and windshield wipersappropriately

qBraking


q Reducing speed appropriately

q Turning

q Approaching controlled intersections

with trac lights or signs



q Use o lights in og

q Use o deogger and deroster

q Standing water

q Ice on bridges

q Stopped vehicle

q Hydroplaning

q Discuss what to do i the vehicle

gets stuck

Some states require drivers to turn their headlights on whenever the windshield wipers are on.

Even i it is not the law in your state, it is a good idea because it increases the likelihood that

your vehicle will be seen by other drivers.


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Some states require teen drivers to have a minimum number o supervised practice driving hours

beore becoming licensed. The required number o hours varies by state. Whether or not you live in

a state with this type o requirement, you may wish to keep track o the time you spend practicing

with your teen driver.

date starting time ending time miles traveled

driving log


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The ollowing are tips and reminders to help keep your teen sae on the road.

Take your vehicle or a ull saety inspection 1 to 2 weeks beore a long trip.

Be well-rested and alert each time you get behind the wheel.

Never drive ater consuming alcohol or using illegal substances.

Never drive i you are using over-the-counter or prescription medications that cause drowsi-

ness.

Always wear a seat belt and require all passengers to buckle up as well.

Obey all trac saety laws.

Slow down in bad weather conditions.

Avoid distractions that divert your attention rom the road (or example, using a cell phone,

texting, eating or adjusting the radio while driving).

Place warning devices, when needed, at least 200 eet behind the vehicle.

Do not overload your vehicle with passengers.

Drive saely and deensively at all times.

Be aware o motorcyclists. They can be hard to detect, especially i they are in your blind

spot.

Give emergency vehicles the right o way.

Drive saely; do not provoke other drivers.

Do not open your window or any stranger.

Only individuals listed on your insurance should operate your vehicle.

Keep a list o emergency contact numbers available. I you carry a cell phone, programimportant numbers into your phone roadside assistance, insurance company, 9-1-1,

home, etc.

Make sure you have a fashlight and an extra set o batteries in your vehicle.

Carry a current roadmap and plan your trips. Do not experiment with a new route espe-

cially at night.

Keep the vehicle doors locked.

I you believe you are being ollowed by a stranger, drive to the nearest police station, re

department or any open place o business.

saety and security reminders


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emergency contacts

names numbers


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18 choosing a vehicle or your teen

Teens should drive vehicles that reduce their risk o being involved in crashes and that oer state-

o-the-art protection in case they do crash. Whether your teen will be driving the amily vehicle or

one o their own, here are some tips that can help you make the best choice.

w t a

Vehicles with a perormance image. These vehicles can encourage speeding.

Sport utility vehicles. SUVs especially smaller ones pose a rollover risk. Less-exper-

ienced drivers may be more likely to overcorrect a turn or use abrupt steering motions

which can cause a rollover.

Small vehicles. Because o their size and weight, small vehicles generally oer less crash

protection.

Older vehicles. Most o todays vehicles oer better crash protection than those made 6 to

10 years ago.

Motorcycles. Regardless o who is driving them, motorcycles are extremely dangerous.

w t l

A mid- or ull-size vehicle. Generally, bigger is better. However, you do not have to put your

teen in the largest vehicle you can nd. Many mid- and ull-sized vehicles oer excellent

crash protection.

Check the saety ratings. This inormation is available on the Web sites o the National

Highway Trac Saety Administration (NHTSA), www.saercar.gov and the Insurance

Institute or Highway Saety (IIHS), www.iihs.org. You can also access these Web sites

through The USAA Educational Foundation Web site at www.usaaedoundation.org.

Newer models oer better saety equipment. A newer, mid-size vehicle with airbags is abetter choice than an older, larger vehicle without airbags, according to the IIHS.

Monitoring devices can be installed in vehicles to record teen driving behaviors. Parents

can review the monitored driving with their young drivers as a learning tool to encourage

the development o saer driving habits.


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19Parent and teen sae driving agreement

Becoming a new driver is a major milestone in your teens lie and one to be taken seriously. The

responsibility your teen takes once behind the wheel is huge because the actions and decisions

made will have a great impact on many lives.

As time goes by, your teen will continue to learn and gain experience to become a better driver.

However, it is important to understand the dangers o driving and how one mistake or bad decision

can change lives orever.

y s k*

Teen drivers have the highest death and injury rate in motor vehicle crashes among all age

groups.

Most motor vehicle crash deaths among teens occur on weekends and between the hours

o 3 p.m. and midnight.

Distractions such as using a cell phone, grooming, eating and drinking or adjusting the

radio while driving contribute to more than hal o all crashes.

Use the Parent And Teen Sae Driving Agreementon the ollowing page to establish an ongoing

conversation with your teen driver and to establish driving privileges. You may wish to modiy or

add provisions to t your particular situation. Identiy dates or periodic reviews.

*Sources: National Highway Trafc Saety Administration (NHTSA), Insurance Institute For Highway Saety (IIHS)

and the U.S. Department o Transportations Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

review dates


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I, , understand that driving is a privilege, and I

promise to:

q Obey all trac laws and signs.

q Always check and adjust my rearview and side mirrors beore driving.

q Maintain at least 1/4 tank o gas at all times it is not sae to be stranded on theside o the road.

q Always check oil levels and tire pressure.

q Always wear my seat belt and ensure that anyone riding with me is also wearing aseat belt.

q Be aware o my surroundings and other vehicles to ensure sae driving.

q Avoid distractions that divert my attention rom the road like talking on my cellphone, texting, grooming, eating and drinking or adjusting the radio while driving.

q Never drive ater consuming alcohol or using illegal substances.

q Never ride in a vehicle where the driver has consumed alcohol or used illegalsubstances.

q Never drive i I am using over-the-counter or prescription medications that causedrowsiness.

q Never drive someone elses vehicle or let anyone drive mine unless it is an absoluteemergency, such as illness or injury all drivers must be insured to operate anyvehicle.

q Have no one with me in the vehicle unless I have obtained permission rom myparent(s) or guardian(s).

q Support my parents decision to install a video camera or other monitoring device inthe vehicle that I am driving and agree to review the tapes with my parents to evalu-ate my driving skills.

As the parent(s) or legal guardian(s), I (We), ,

agree to let our teen, , maintain driving

privileges as long as they promise to adhere to the above checklist.

Parents or Legal Guardians Signature Date

Parents or Legal Guardians Signature Date

Teens Signature Date


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21resources

keePing every youth sae (k.e.y.s.)

on the road (dvd) (#567)

cost o driving (#568)

buying a vehicle that meetsyour needs (#505)

sae on the road (#570)

choosing a healthy liestyle(#546)

living a greener lie (#560)

internet saety or teens (#573)

how to succeed in college (#512)

get moneywise (#504)

get creditwise (#534)

get investmentwise (#521)

auto insurance (#526)

t p p,

.. (800) 531-6196.

Inormation in this publication was current at the time it was printed. However, the Foundation cannot guaranteethat Web sites, physical addresses and phone numbers listed in this publication have not changed since then.I a Web site address, physical address or phone number has changed since you received this publication, logonto a search engine and type in keywords o the subject matter or organization you are researching to locate suchupdated inormation.

The USAA Educational Foundation oers the ollowing publications on a variety o topics:


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The USAA Educational Foundation www.usaaedoundation.org is a registered trademark o The USAA Educational Foundation.

The USAA Educational Foundation 2010. All rights reserved.

No part o this publication may be copied, reprinted or reproduced without the express written consent o The USAA EducationalFoundation, a nonprot organization.

USAA is the sponsor o The USAA Educational Foundation.

Documents

Behind-The-Wheel Practice Guide