Driver Education

Chapter 1

The Driving Task

Highway Transportation System The Highway Transportation

System(HTS) – has three parts: people, vehicles, and roadways. The purpose of the HTS is to move people and cargo from one place to another in a safe, efficient, and economical manner.

Parts of the HTS

People Roadway users –

are people who use the HTS by walking, driving, or riding

Parts of the HTS

Vehicles Any vehicle that uses

the HTS ranging from a moped to a tractor trailer

Roadways Any road ranging from a

dirt road to a multilane expressway

Regulating the HTS

Laws are passed to make up the vehicle code Enforcement agencies assure that laws are

obeyed Motor vehicle departments set rules to assure

that driver and vehicle standards are met Courts decide whether drivers charged with

violating the laws are guilty or innocent Highway traffic engineer’s plan, build, and

maintain the complex system of roadways

Your Driving Task

Driving Task – includes all the social, physical, and mental skills required to drive

Use knowledge and visual skills Obey traffic laws Judge time and space Anticipating how your car will respond

under normal and emergency conditions

Driving Task

Social Skills - Driving requires you to interact successfully with people

Physical Skills – You must learn the physical skills of driving so well that they become natural habit. Beginning drivers need to concentrate heavily on the physical skills of driving. More experienced drivers can focus on the social and mental aspects of driving

Driving Task

Mental Skills – IPDE Process – is a process of seeing, thinking, and responding Identify – important information in the ongoing

driving scene Predict – when and where possible points of

conflict will develop Decide – when, where , and how to communicate,

adjust speed, and change position to avoid conflict Execute – the right action to prevent conflict

Driving Responsibilities

Driving is a privilege not a right. The privilege is based on the assumption that you will be responsible and obey traffic laws.

If you do not handle this responsibility, you have the power to ruin your life and the life of others

Collisions

A collision occurs when a vehicle conflicts with and hits another object

Collision is a more accurate term than accident. Because accident implies that something just happened by chance

Collision are a major cause of injury and death

Causes of Collisions

Driver error is the most common

Following a vehicle to closely

Driving to fast for conditions

Driving after using drugs or alcohol

Driving while very tired

Reporting Collisions

A driver must notify the police if:

-They hit a parked car -An accident involves: -Property damage -Injury -Death -Vehicle damage

City Driving

Defensive Drivers should use extra caution when driving in a city.

Follow the 12-second Rule:

A driver should be able to see an object far enough ahead so that it takes at least 12 seconds to get to it.

Environmental responsibility

Air pollution Chemical spills How can you manage this?

Buy fuel efficient vehicles Reducing driving by car pooling or

public transportation

Activity

Activity: Get into your groups and create a list of all the types of licenses you can think of available in NJ…

-Probationary Automobile License -Basic Automobile License -Commercial Driver License -Motorcycle License -Moped License -Agricultural License -Boat License

Your Driver’s License

Licensing Process – is designed to make sure that only safe drivers are allowed on the roads by requiring written, physical, and driving exams

Graduated Driver Licensing Program – Series of stages that a young driver must go through to get full privilege license

Early Bird Road Step 1 (Get Permit) -Must be 16 years old -Must have Parent consent -Must be enrolled in 6-hour behind-the-wheel training course -Instructor must purchase the permit -Must pass knowledge test -Must pass vision test -Must pay $10 fee Step 2 (Practice) -Must practice at least 6 months Step 3 (Get Probationary License) -Must complete 6 months supervised practice (no violations) -Must pass DMV Road test -Must be 17 years old - $ 6 Fee for Provisional Liicense Step 4 (Practice) -Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year Step 5 (Get Basic Driver License) -Must be 18 years old -Must complete one year unsupervised driving (no violations) -Must pay $24 fee

Your Driver’s License

Special Learner’s Permit Stage At 16 the student receives permit to drive when supervised

by an adult(21) with 3 years experience Permit must be held for at least six months and the student

must have no collisions or violation during this time No driving between 11:01 PM and 5:00 AM Passengers can be from the same household, but only one

other person Must display red GDL stickers No cell phones or electronics Can only drive in New Jersey

Examination Permit Step 1 (Get Examination Permit) -Must be 17 years old -Does Not need 6 hour behind the wheel training -Must have Parent consent -Must pass knowledge test -Must pass vision test -Must pay $10 fee Step 2 (Practice) -Must practice at least 6 months Step 3 (Get Probationary License) -Must complete 6 months supervised practice (no violations) -Must pass DMV Road test Step 4 (Practice) -Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year Step 5 (Get Basic Driver License) -Must be 18 years old -Must complete one year unsupervised driving (no violations) -Must pay $24 fee

Examination Permit No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

-No cell phones (including hands-free) or electronics

-Student must have supervising adult who is 21 years old and has had their driver license for a minimum of 3 years

-Only allowed one additional passenger plus parent/guardian or dependents of the permit holder (unless parent/guardian is in the car)

-All passengers must wear seatbelts

-GDL decals must be displayed

Provisional License

No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

-No cell phones (including hands-free) or electronics

-Only allowed one additional passenger plus any dependents of the license holder (unless parent/guardian is in the car or driver is over 21)

-All passengers must wear seatbelts

-GDL decals must be displayed

Violations of any of the GDL restrictions may result in $100 fine or possible suspension of driving privileges.

Implied Consent Programs

In most states you are asked to sign a statement when you get your license saying that you agree to take an breathalyzer test on request

If you refuse, you will lose your license