Unit 11 - Drivers Ed - The Attentive Driver

A Closed Operating Space is one in which the driver's line of sight or path of travel is impeded. Road conditions in a closed operating space require that an alternative path of travel be identified.

A Changing Operating Space is an area where the situation is worsening. This generally describes places where a formerly open line of sight or path of travel is becoming closed. Changing conditions that can affect an operating space include speed limits, lane width, visibility, time of day, traffic flow, traffic controls, and roadway, environmental, and weather conditions. Each of these conditions will affect your speed, lane position, and approach to communication.

Your sense of hearing can alert you to potential dangers in the driving environment, including: The presence of vehicles in your blind spots Drivers honking their horns Emergency vehicle sirens An approaching train Nearby road work Additionally, unusual noises in your engine, tires, or brakes may alert you to problems in your vehicle that require an immediate response.

A person with impaired hearing will be unable to hear quiet, low-decibel sounds or sounds of certain frequencies. If your hearing is impaired, you should wear your prescribed hearing aid while driving. Hearing-impaired drivers and bicyclists may display a safety flag, as depicted. Slow down and be alert when you encounter them on the road.

Following too closely is known as Tailgating. If someone is tailgating you, drive cautiously. First, increase the distance between you and the car ahead of you so you have more room to stop safely in an emergency.

Always keep as much space as you can between your car and the vehicles around you. On multi-lane streets, stay out of the lane next to the center line, if possible, so you'll have more room to maneuver if an oncoming car suddenly swerves towards you. Don't drive in the blind spot of another driver. Either move ahead of the other vehicle or drop back.

consider how the following situations affect the areas around your car: When a traffic light is red, the zones in front of your car are closed. When an oncoming car or truck is approaching along the lane to your left, zone 2 is closed. When a car is parked or a bicyclist is ahead of you on your right, zone 3 is closed. When a vehicle is in your left or right blind spot, or passing you, zone 4 or 5 is closed, respectively When one area is closed or changing, review the others to determine which of your alternate routes are available.

Always watch out for changes in driving conditions. Wherever you are driving, make sure you know: What the legal speed limit is What the appropriate speed for the situation is, given weather, construction, traffic, lighting conditions, etc. Whether your lane position is safe Whether the situation appears to be changing ahead By paying attention to how conditions are changing, you're less likely to be surprised by the actions of other drivers.

As a novice driver, you may initially find it difficult to use your vision actively to scan the road. If you spend long periods in front of a television or a computer screen, you may be in the habit of using your eyes passively. When driving, however, you must constantly be looking around for potential problems. Train yourself to search for hazards actively. Eventually, you may find it unnecessary to consciously identify a specific target and come to focus your attention 12-20 seconds ahead of your position reflexively.

An organized visual search process is a way of systematically and efficiently scanning the driving environment for potentially risky situations. Do not remain focused on one particular distance as you drive. Don't always look 20 seconds ahead—or two feet ahead—or at the instrument panel. You need information from all these areas, and you need it in an organized way. Therefore, you should continuously shift your attention between three distinct searching ranges.

Tap your horn to inform other drivers of your presence or to warn other drivers if they are driving unsafely. You may wish to tap your horn when: A distracted driver fails to proceed within several seconds of the light turning green A driver is traveling down the street in the wrong direction A driver begins to enter an intersection you have already entered You are unable to avoid driving in another car's blind spot and it is moving into your lane You are approaching an intersection around a blind corner You have lost control of your car and cannot stop it safely Never blare your horn or use it to indicate your anger at another driver. Other drivers will be much more responsive if you always communicate politely.

Another way that you can communicate with other drivers is by choosing the appropriate lane position for your vehicle. Lane position 1 communicates that you do not plan to maneuver. Lane position 2 communicates that you may be planning to turn left or that there is a hazard ahead. Lane position 3 communicates that you may be planning to turn right or that there is a hazard ahead. Lane positions 4 and 5 may communicate your intention to change lanes or the presence of a hazard in the road

As your speed increases, the challenges that you face as a driver also increase. At high speeds: You must increase your following distance so you have enough time to react to events ahead of you. It becomes harder to notice potential hazards because the environment is changing so quickly. Your peripheral vision is reduced greatly The distance you will travel while making a decision will increase.

As you increase your speed, the amount of visual information you must process about the road ahead also increases. At higher speeds, you should attempt to target objects farther down the road so you have more time to gather information. Also remember that the range of your peripheral vision decreases as your speed increases. When traveling at high speeds, it is especially important to turn your head to your sides regularly and frequently.

Zone 7 is the space that includes the vehicle itself, as well as the area around the car that is concealed from the driver. It corresponds to the blind area around the car discussed in Unit 8. Watch for potential hazards in each of the zones around your car and adjust your driving accordingly.

Each of the six areas around your car may be classified as open, closed, or changing. An Open Operating Space is one in which your driving is relatively unimpeded across large distances. In such conditions, there are no restrictions to your line of sight or path of travel. Typically, you'll see only wide, open spaces on the road ahead and be free to move forward or change lanes without problems.

The space between your car and the target area that you've selected is known as the Path of Travel (POT). By analyzing the visual activity within your path of travel, you can develop a clear picture of the situation on the road ahead and anticipate the maneuvers you will have to perform. For instance, if there is an intersection along your POT, you know you will have to slow and watch for cross traffic.

Every time you reach a visual target you've selected, evaluate your immediate path, choose a new target, and assess the target area 12-15 seconds ahead of you for changing conditions. By spotting hazards early, you won't have to adjust your speed and lane position at the last minute.

The imaginary line drawn between your eyes and the object they are viewing is referred to as the Line of Sight (LOS). When driving, your line of sight should generally be directed at your selected visual target. Keep your line of sight clear as much as possible. This line can be blocked by a curve, the crest of a hill, a wooded area, a building, a large truck, etc.

If you can't see around an obstruction, slow down until you can reestablish your line of sight. Be ready to respond to restrictions to your line of sight or path of travel. When approaching a curve or the crest of a hill, search into it or over it. If the path you're on is ending, adjust your driving appropriately. Slow down when you see a red traffic signal or traffic stopped ahead of you. Select a lane position that allows you to avoid hazards on the road. Always travel at a speed appropriate for environmental conditions.

Another important aspect of your vision is Depth Perception. Depth perception is the ability to see in three dimensions. Drivers rely on their depth perception to judge the distance between their car and other vehicles on the road. Depth perception can be affected by environmental conditions like fog and darkness as well as by medical conditions. Poor depth perception can result in stopping too soon or too late, turning too sharply or too broadly, driving at an inconsistent speed, and being unable to maintain an appropriate following distance.

In addition to the physical impairments that can permanently limit your vision, there are a number of temporary causes of impaired vision that can affect your driving ability, including: Fatigue Smoking Alcohol and drug use Illnesses, even minor ones like allergies and colds You must act responsibly if your visual capacities are impaired. Never get behind the wheel if you know you are having any difficulty seeing.

Be conscientious and think about how your actions can affect others. How much easier would it be to remain calm if you never had to worry about other drivers impeding, annoying, or endangering you? Every action you take on the road should be governed by the golden rule of driving: always treat other drivers the way you want to be treated. By doing so, you'll make the road safer for everyone.

Indicate your intention to turn, change lanes, merge, or enter or exit an expressway or a parking space by activating your turn signal. Indicate your intention to slow or stop by tapping your brake pedal to flash your brake lights. Look for brake lights ahead to anticipate having to stop. Indicate the presence of a hazard on the road by activating your hazard lights. Indicate the presence of your car in low visibility situations by activating your headlights.

Your peripheral vision lets you notice vehicles approaching from the side and helps you pay attention to the road whenever you have to turn away briefly. For instance, when looking in your rearview mirror, you can still track traffic with your peripheral vision. Or when you are looking straight ahead, you can still be aware of the traffic to your sides.

Night driving poses a significant problem for some drivers. While seeing in low light levels is difficult for everyone, some people have worse Night Vision than others. Some drivers who can see clearly during the day may have extra trouble seeing clearly at night, in dim light, or around the glare of headlights. To drive safely at night, you must be able not only to see when it's dark, but also to make out low-contrast objects. If you have trouble seeing details in low-contrast conditions, you may not see someone in dark clothing crossing the street at night.

Increase your following distance as you increase your speed. At higher speeds, it will take you longer to stop or maneuver evasively in an emergency. In many emergency situations when you need to act quickly to avoid a collision, you should attempt to steer away from the hazard rather than stop. It will take you less time to steer than to brake, and it will take your car less time to change directions than to come to a complete stop.

On dry surfaces, a 3-second following distance provides drivers traveling at any speed enough time to steer away from and around a problem area. Moreover: A driver traveling under 35 mph can reliably brake within a 3-second following distance. A driver traveling under 45 mph can reliably brake within a 4-second following distance. A driver traveling under 65 mph can reliably brake within a 5-second following distance. Keep in mind that most tires aren't designed to be able to steer out of problem areas at speeds above 75 mph.

On the following slide, you'll see a chart that indicates how far you should be from the vehicle ahead of you when you are traveling at different speeds. For each speed, the size of a 2-, 3-, and 4-second following distance, the amount of space it will take you to respond, and your total stopping distance are shown. The math works like this, taking 40 mph as an example. At 40 mph, you will be traveling at 58 ft per second, and so there will be 174 ft in front of your car if you maintain a following distance of three seconds. As it will take you at least 125 ft to stop, a three-second following distance is sufficient at 40 mph.

Remember that your stopping distance is affected by the amount of time it takes for you to process, and then respond to, the situation and then the time it takes for your car to lose its kinetic energy. Your actual stopping distance can be affected by: Your physical or mental condition (including fatigue, stress, and intoxication) The type and condition of the pavement The design and tread depth of your tires The size and design of your car The type, condition, and balance of your brakes The direction of the wind Be sure to take these conditions into account when establishing your following distance.

The area 4 to 6 seconds ahead of you is called the Immediate Range. The visual information available at this close range will tell you how you need to adjust your speed and lane position. If you're maintaining a safe following distance, the car ahead of you should be at the other end of this range. By the time an anticipated stop or turn is in your immediate range, you should have already begun performing the appropriate maneuver.

The area about 12 to 15 seconds ahead of you is known as the Secondary Range. The visual information you receive from this range is useful for making adjustments to your speed and lane position. This is a reasonable distance to begin a maneuver or to respond to or communicate with oncoming traffic.

The area about 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you is referred to as the Target Area Range, or Visual Lead Area. When focused on this area, you should attempt to absorb all critical visual information about the roadway ahead. Think of this as the "big picture." By finding a target as far ahead as possible, you can keep your eyes focused farther in front of your vehicle, giving you more "visual lead time" to make decisions.

The area around your car is known as the Vehicle Operating Space, which is divided into seven basic zones. Zones 1-6 correspond to the different areas around the car: Zones 1-3 represent the space in front of the car. Zones 4-6 represent the space behind the car. Zones 1 and 6 are in the same lane as the car. Zones 2 and 4 are in the lane to the left and zones 3 and 5 are in the lane to the right of the car.

When driving, you should choose a fixed object 12-20 seconds ahead of you on the road to be your Visual Target. This can be a traffic signal, a building, the crest of a hill, or a parked car. Your target should be an object ahead of you on the road that is in the center of your field of vision. Targeting encourages drivers to scan far ahead and focus their visual attention on the next point on the road.

The section of the roadway where your target is located, as well as the area to its immediate left and right, is known as the Target Area. Establishing a visual target can help a driver set effective reference points, notice changes in traffic flow, and identify alternative paths in case evasive maneuvers are necessary.

All the tools we have mentioned for managing your road position work best together. Use the following to manage your vehicle and the space around it effectively. Reference points and lines of sight Searching your path of travel attentively Changing your position when necessary Communicating respectfully with other road users

The three-second following distance is recommended when driving at average speeds in ideal roadway conditions. You should establish a longer following distance when: A vehicle is tailgating you Something is blocking your vision You're following a motorcycle or a large vehicle such as a truck or bus The road is wet or icy or otherwise offers little traction You're driving in bad weather You are driving at high speeds

While your central vision provides detailed information about the objects you look at directly, your Peripheral Vision (or side vision) lets you see objects and movements outside of your direct line of vision. Peripheral vision is the work of light-sensitive rod cells outside the center of the retina. Although your central vision is much more distinct, your peripheral vision increases your entire field of vision significantly. While the range of your central vision is only about 3°, the range of your peripheral vision is 180° or more.

There are a number of ways a person's vision can be impaired that can affect his or her driving ability. For instance, some people lack the ability to distinguish certain colors. Typically, Colorblind people can't distinguish between red and green, making it difficult or impossible for them to identify the colors of traffic lights, signs, and curbs. However, these drivers can typically compensate for their impairment (by recognizing the position of a traffic light or the shape of a sign, for example) and drive as safely as any other driver.

Two other senses provide drivers with important information about the road surface, the position of their vehicles, and the conditions of its parts. Your sense of touch, through your foot on the brake or accelerator pedal and hands on the steering wheel, gives you a feel for the forces impacting your car. Your sense of kinesthesia helps you get a sense of your car's position on and motion across the road.

To drive safely, you must be able to notice many things at once and quickly identify situations that will require you to make adjustments. Move your eyes constantly to make sure you can analyze the road thoroughly. The length of time it takes a driver to identify a situation is called Perception Time. Perception time depends on visibility, the driver's physical condition, and the road situation.

It can be difficult to notice when your peripheral vision is impaired, but it is very important that you do so. As a result of poor peripheral vision, you might: Fail to react to a vehicle approaching dangerously from the left or right Fail to notice a stop light suspended over an intersection Weave between lanes while driving through a curve Drive too close to parked cars Never rely entirely on your peripheral vision when driving. Routinely check your mirrors and turn your head to look towards your blind spots.

To minimize the effects of glare: Use your car's sun visors Adjust the angle of your rearview mirror with the tab at the bottom Wear sun glasses or other dark lenses during the sunset or other times when the sun is especially bright Avoid looking directly at the headlights of oncoming cars Keep your windshield and windows clean

Standard Reference Points are used in typical driving situations to determine vehicle placement on a roadway. There are reference points at the front, sides, and rear of the car. Maneuvers such as parking, stopping, backing up, and changing lane position can be done more accurately and safely when using reference points

When the right curb appears to intersect your right headlight, the right side of your car is six feet from the right side of the roadway. In a regular traffic lane, this will position you on the left side of the lane. Use this reference point when turning right into a driveway or when pulling forward into an angled parking space.

As your speed increases, your ability to see to your sides decreases. The chart on this slide represents this loss. With limited peripheral vision, you will be less able to see and respond to events on either side of you. When driving at high speeds, be sure to turn your head to your sides more often so you see what's happening around you.

Your ability to see can also be reduced by exposure to extreme brightness, or glare. Your response to glare is affected by your degree of Glare Resistance (the ability of the pupils to shut out excess light) and Glare Recovery (the speed with which the pupils return to normal when low-light conditions have been restored). These adjustments do not occur instantaneously: glare reduction always takes some time. You may not be able to see well while your eyes adjust, especially at night. This is one reason you must never approach other drivers with your high-beams activated.

People with a hearing impairment or total deafness can compensate for this handicap by learning to rely more on their vision and to more frequently scan their environment. For instance, hearing-impaired drivers can often realize that an emergency vehicle or a train is approaching by paying attention to the behavior of other drivers (e.g., slowing down, pulling over, or turning their heads).

Your sense of smell is useful for detecting problems with your car. For example: The smell of burned plastic can signal an electrical problem The smell of gasoline vapors when you can't get your car started can mean the engine is flooded The odor of burning resin or acrid chemicals can signal that the clutch or brakes are overheated A sweaty, steamy odor can indicate a coolant leak If you smell an unusual odor coming from your car, don't drive it until you've had the problem diagnosed and fixed. Your car may have a problem that makes it dangerous to drive.