drivers ed Chapter 30
If you're thinking about donating your organs, discuss your decision with your family. Family members may try to prevent doctors from recovering your organs if they're unaware of your wishes, even if you're registered as a donor. By talking about it now, it will be easier for your family to respect your wishes if you die suddenly. Remember, choosing to be a donor is your decision. If you want to modify, update, or revoke your organ and tissue donation status, simply log in to the official website for the Donate Life registry.
According to a 2010 survey by Donate Life America, 43% of people are undecided, reluctant, or do not wish to have their organs and tissue donated after their deaths. While an improvement over the previous year, when 50% reported the same, this statistic suggests that there is an urgent need to continue to promote the importance of organ donation. Reluctance to donate may be based on misconceptions or lack of information on the subject. Review the following slides to better understand the process of organ donation.
In addition to organ donation, tissue donation has proven an essential medical procedure for improving people's lives. Tissue transplants help individuals with congenital defects, burns, and other severe conditions and foster a quicker and less painful recovery. Bone transplants aid patients recovering from cancers, spinal problems, facial surgery, and severe trauma. Bone marrow transplants help individuals with many medical conditions, including leukemia, but can only be performed with marrow that exactly matches the recipient's. Skin transplants help people with severe burns resist infection and heal faster. Cornea transplants restore sight to people who were blind by replacing the covering of the eye when it becomes clouded by injury or disease.
According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), more than 120,000 people are currently waiting for an organ. In Texas, over 11,000 people are waiting for an organ. Each year more than 14,000 people donate their organs, nearly 60% of whom are registered donors who have died. From these donors, almost 30,000 organs are transplanted each year. Approximately 80% of donated organs come from deceased donors, as multiple organs can often be recovered from a single body. In fact, a single donor can save as many as eight lives.
Another form of environmental damage that Texas drivers are responsible for is litter. Any garbage not properly disposed of in a trash can is considered litter. When you litter, you increase the amount of debris on the road, making driving more dangerous and the driving environment more unpleasant for everyone. Moreover, while air pollution is an inevitable consequence of choosing to drive, roadside litter only happens when you consciously decide to toss trash from your car.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, almost 1.5 billion pieces of litter are deposited on Texas roadways every year. The most commonly littered item is cigarette butts. In order to educate the public about this problem, the state established the Don't Mess with Texas campaign. This initiative includes events like the annual, state-wide "Trash-Off" litter removal day. There are significant penalties for littering. You can be fined up to $500 for a first littering offense, and may face a fine of up to $2,000 and a jail term of 180 days for subsequent littering offenses.
An organ is one of the most generous gifts a person can give or receive. Find out more about organ and tissue donation by visiting the following websites: The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Donate Life America
After the next quiz, you'll watch a movie on water safety. (It's required for all Texas drivers education students.) Drowning is one of the top causes of accidental death in the U.S., especially among young people, and serious injuries related to unsafe behavior on the water are even more common. To stay safe around water, remember the following tips: Know your skills and your limits: Make sure you don't go out on the water unless you know how to swim, or at least tread water. Don't overestimate how far you can swim or how long you can hold your breath. Never swim alone: Always swim with a buddy or in a place where you'll be clearly visible to a lifeguard. Drownings are extremely uncommon when a lifeguard is present.
Over time, many of your car's components will deteriorate. These include batteries, oil filters, tires, and mufflers, as well as the fluids your car needs to run. When you need to replace a vehicle part or fluid, make sure that the old materials are disposed of properly. Car parts and by-products must generally be handled in special ways. They must not be dumped on the ground, thrown in the garbage with normal trash, or poured down the drain. These materials must be disposed of at a car repair shop or a hazardous waste collection location.
Batteries The kind of batteries used in automobiles, known as lead-acid batteries, contain toxic amounts of lead, which can cause fatigue, chronic pain, kidney damage, physical and mental retardation, and even death. The lead remains inside the battery even after it can no longer be recharged. By law, old car batteries cannot be discarded in a landfill. In general, the retailer who sold you the old battery, or the retailer from whom you are buying a new one, will accept the spent battery for recycling.
Who decides who gets an organ? Are wealthy or famous people likely to get priority? Patients are matched to organs based on several different medical factors, including blood type, tissue type, critical need, time on the waiting list, and geographical location. Race, gender, age, income, and celebrity status are not considered when determining who receives an organ. However, a person whose medical problems are related to a long history of smoking or alcoholism may not respond as well to transplantation and may be less likely to receive a donated organ.
Can I be an organ and tissue donor and also donate my body to medical science? Donating your body to a medical school or research facility can help researchers identify the causes of illness and develop more effective medical treatments, especially if you have a rare medical condition. However, you generally cannot donate your body for research if you register as an organ and tissue donor. If you want to donate your body for scientific research, you should directly contact the medical school or research program of your choice.
Who can become a donor? Anyone can indicate their intention to donate, although donors under 18 must obtain parental consent. However, whether your organs are used will depend on your overall health and the physical condition of the organs at the time of your death. Doctors will only recover organs from a person who has been officially been declared brain dead, although some people may choose to help someone in need of an organ by donating a kidney or part of their liver while they're still alive.
Can I indicate what organs or tissues I am willing to donate? Yes. You can specify the organs (including the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines) and tissues (including skin, bone, heart valves, tendons, and corneas) that you are comfortable donating. However, if you wish to donate bone marrow, you must register with the National Marrow Donor Program. You can choose to donate your organs, your tissues, or both. If a person is found medically unable to donate organs, their tissue may still be found viable for transplantation. Up to 50 people can benefit from one tissue donor.
Being a responsible driver means recognizing the consequences of your actions. In general, your highest priority will be reducing the immediate risk to yourself and others by realizing how everything from failing to signal, to tailgating, to driving while fatigued or intoxicated, to improperly maintaining your car, can result in a collision. However, it's not just the road users around you who can be affected by an irresponsible attitude. Even otherwise safe drivers can cause harm to their communities, their environments, and even the roads they drive on if they fail to recognize the global consequences of driving.
Consider some of negative effects on the environment associated with automobiles: Vehicle emissions caused by the combustion process decrease quality of life by causing air pollution and damaging the ozone layer. The manufacturing process involves the use of dangerous chemicals that can affect factory workers and nearby communities. The improper disposal of old vehicles, as well as used oil, filters, and vehicle fluids, can pollute rivers, streams, and soil quality. Used tires are not biodegradable and are a fire hazard. Careless drivers toss trash from their cars, lining the roads with litter and debris.
To avoid getting fatigued on an extended trip: Do your driving during the day. At night, your visibility will be limited and you'll be more likely to fall asleep. Take a short break from driving every two to three hours, as well as an hour-long meal break in the middle of the day. Plan your breaks so you can avoid driving between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., when you'll have a natural tendency to feel sleepy. If you're driving through the desert, plan to travel during the cooler morning hours. Get a good night's sleep before you start your trip.
Determine how long you expect your trip to take by figuring out how many miles you'll travel daily. On average, you can expect to travel about 100 to 110 miles every two hours at highway speeds. If your route takes you through urban, residential, or mountain roads, it will take you longer to travel the same distance. Before you leave, let a family member or friend know how to reach you in an emergency and how long you expect your trip to take. When you reach your destination, contact this person to let him or her know you've arrived safe and sound.
Will my family respect my desire to be a donor? How will my desire to be a donor affect my family? It's important to discuss your desire to be a donor with your family. If your family objects when doctors seek to recover your organs, their decision could override your stated intentions. Even if they only delay the recovery of your organs, the viability of your organs for donation may be affected. If your organs are transplanted, your family will neither be billed nor receive compensation for the procedure.
Do I need to register as an organ donor if I have indicated my intention in my will? Yes. By the time your will is read, it will be too late to recover your organs. The most viable organs come from patients who are brain dead but not yet deceased. The organs of a brain dead person may continue to function for a time even though there's no chance that the person will recover.
Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Chemicals from factories, dust, pollen, and mold spores, as well as vehicle emissions, may be suspended as particles in the air. In cities, the gas ozone contributes significantly to air pollution, causing the phenomenon known as smog. Many pollutants are poisonous. Inhaling them can increase the chance you'll have health problems, especially among older adults, young children, people with heart or lung disease, and other people with weak immune systems.
Even though modern vehicles produce only 10% as much pollution as vehicles of the 1970s, the sheer volume of traffic today increases the amount of pollution people are exposed to. In the worst traffic corridors in Texas, drivers experience significant delays due to traffic congestion. Commuters in the Houston area experience 61 hours of delay each year, while commuters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area experience 53 hours of delay annually. According to recent research, breathing in street-level fumes for just 30 minutes can affect behavior, personality, and decision making.
The United States consumes about 800 million gallons of petroleum (the unrefined form of gasoline) every day, and passenger vehicles account for 40% of this total. The more gasoline is used, the more the air is polluted with exhaust, the faster the world's supply of oil is depleted, and the more expensive gasoline becomes. However, simply by planning better, driving more wisely, remembering to maintain our cars, and buying cars with better fuel efficiency, we can make a considerable difference. Already since 2005, we've reduced our daily oil consumption by 77 million gallons—though we still have far to go!
Here are some simple ways to increase vehicle efficiency and save fuel: Accelerate smoothly. Watch your tachometer. If your engine is racing, a lot of fuel is being used. Increase your following distance to avoid having to brake abruptly. Speed up as you approach a hill or curve, not while driving through it. Don't idle for more than a minute. It takes less fuel to start a car than to idle. Keep track of your gas mileage and see a mechanic if it changes suddenly.
Being able to predict potential problems before they occur is one of the most important skills you can have as a driver. That's why you should always establish a substantial visual lead to help you anticipate situations on the road ahead. You should adopt this same attitude when thinking about another road ahead—the future. Whether you're worried about repair costs over the life of your car, or just want to make sure you don't run out of gas on a trip, you can bring about the results you want if you plan ahead.
Make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared for any situation that you can reasonably expect to occur while you're on the road. By knowing what potential problems you can expect and figuring out how to avoid them or deal with them if they happen, you can make your drive easier on yourself, your car, and your world!
As a responsible driver, you shouldn't have to worry about litter in the first place. As we've discussed, eating, drinking, smoking, and other activities that would create trash are dangerous distractions and should be avoided while driving. If you do produce trash, keep it in your car in a place that's not likely to distract you until you find a trash can. Look for trash barrels on the side of the road marked with the "Don't Mess with Texas" logo. Waiting to discard trash in an appropriate place will cost you nothing.
If you see someone throw trash from his or her car, you can report the offense to the Texas Department of Transportation by visiting this page. Keep in mind that only a law enforcement officer who witnesses an incident of littering can ticket a driver for the offense. When you report a litterer, the violator will receive a "Don't Mess with Texas" litterbag and a letter reminding them of the state litter laws.
Before taking an extended trip, you can make sure you're ready for trouble by having certain emergency equipment in your car: A tool kit including a flashlight, first-aid kit, screwdriver, adjustable wrench, socket set, and pair of pliers A car jack, a spare tire, a lug wrench, wheel blocks, and better jumper cables Emergency flares or triangles A fire extinguisher Warm clothing, food, and water
If you're taking a trip in the winter, there are extra precautions you should take: Keep the fuel tank full. Don't let it get below half full before refilling it, as low quantities of fuel are more likely to freeze. Make sure your tires have adequate tread depth and inflation. Cold temperatures lower tire pressure. Equip your car with any additional equipment you might need, such as chains or snow tires, extra coolant (antifreeze) and wiper fluid, and a window scraper. Remember to carry drinking water, high-energy bars, warm clothing, gloves, and a blanket.
By performing regular maintenance operations on your car, you can reduce emissions while you conserve fuel: Keep your car engine well-maintained and use an energy-conserving grade of motor oil. Change your air and oil filters and have your air conditioner serviced regularly. Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. Make sure vehicle leaks are repaired promptly. Fill your gas tank during cooler evening hours to reduce evaporation. Leave room in the tank. Replace the gas cap tightly. Visit a mechanic if the check engine warning on your dashboard remains lit. Click here to learn more about driving clean across Texas.
In many Texas counties, an annual emissions test is mandatory. However, it's a good idea to have an emissions test in addition to your safety inspection even if it's not required, as high emissions don't just harm the environment—they can also mean that something is wrong with your car. According to one study, over 90% of all vehicular pollution comes from 25% of cars on the road, most of which aren't functioning properly. Click here to find an inspection station near you.
To avoid encountering stressful situations on the road, you should: Avoid rush hour if possible: In heavy traffic, it will take you longer to arrive at your destination and you will be more at risk of a collision. Plan your route: Determine the exits you'll use and the streets where you'll turn so you don't have to maneuver abruptly at the last minute. Choose an alternate route in case your planned path is closed. Check traffic and weather reports: Don't drive when the weather is bad if you can avoid it. Not only will you find it harder to control your car, but your car can be damaged by water, ice, and extreme temperatures.
Make sure you have enough gas in your car: If you drive without fuel, you can damage your fuel pump and may end up stranded! Be sure you're carrying important documents: You never know when you might need your driver's license, proof of insurance, or vehicle registration, not to mention extra money or a map. Tailor your vehicle to your task: Make sure your vehicle is properly outfitted for any situations you are likely to encounter, including icy or snowy roads, sunlight, or high altitudes.
Careful planning can also help you conserve fuel and prolong the life of your car. You may find you can avoid wasting fuel unnecessarily by: Carpooling Combining errands Selecting routes to avoid traffic Using public transit where available Driving during non-commute hours Phoning ahead to make sure your trip won't be wasted Selecting an economy car over an SUV if you have the option, especially for long drives
Many modern vehicles use advanced engine technologies that allow them to run partially or entirely on electricity, natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen fuel cells, or other alternative fuels that are generally cheaper and cleaner than gasoline. While these vehicles often cost a bit more, in some cases you can save $1,000 to $2,000 a year on fuel, especially when gas prices are high. Moreover, these cars can cost less to maintain and produce much less air pollution. Consider one of these cars when you're planning to buy.
There are several different types of maps available to drivers. Depending on where you're traveling, you may want to use more than one kind of map: National maps display major routes across the entire country. Regional maps display several states within a single geographical area (such as the southwest). State maps display the primary and secondary routes within a single state. City maps display in detail the streets and roadways that pass through a city.
Most maps contain a chart or legend that explains the markings and symbols used on the map: Different colors and line widths are used to identify different kinds of roads, such as interstates, toll roads, divided and undivided two- and four-lane highways, and roads that are unpaved, scenic, or under construction. Different symbols are used to indicate federal, state, secondary, and county roads. Specific icons are used to designate camp grounds, rest areas, toll roads, airports, and more. Black and red numerals show the distance between major points. A mileage scale indicates how to determine the distance between any two points. For instance, one inch on the map may correspond to a distance of five miles.
Tires When tires are improperly stockpiled or illegally dumped, they trap rainwater and become breeding grounds for disease-carrying bugs and rodents. Moreover, tire piles are a major fire hazard. Burning tires are difficult to extinguish, emit toxic gases, and leave behind an oily residue that pollutes streams and ground water. When you buy new tires, the retailer will usually offer to recycle your old tires for a small fee. Tire material can be used to make roads, running tracks, and rubber mats, among other things.
Motor Oil, Antifreeze, and Brake Fluid Automotive fluids are highly toxic and should generally be disposed of by a professional. Do not dispose of these fluids in a sink, septic tank, or storm drain, as they can poison the soil and water and damage waste treatment facilities. These fluids can generally be recycled at a service station or hazardous waste facility. If you choose to drain these fluids yourself, make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Avoid mixing fluids together. To prevent spills, use a funnel to drain the fluid into a sealable container.
Motor vehicles even affect the quality of the roads where they're used. For one thing, on crowded roads, you could end up driving in a cloud of exhaust. According to recent research, vehicle exhaust can raise the risk of heart disease, cancer, and mental impairment. Moreover, the weight of constant traffic causes roads to decay and crack, making them less safe and more uncomfortable to drive on. Eventually, the negative environmental impacts of driving could make driving itself impossible!
Once you have a car, it can be easy to jump behind the wheel without giving much thought to what you're doing. Whether you're going to the store, visiting a friend, or just need to clear your head, you may consider your car to be the perfect solution. The truth is, driving too much can be bad for you, your car, your wallet, and your environment. Before you get behind the wheel, consider whether it might not be better to take a walk, ride a bike, catch a bus, or ride with a friend.
When you take a road trip, you should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Anything can happen when you're on the road, and if you're far from home, it will be much more difficult for you to deal with a problem. On a trip, it's useful to bring: Coins for tolls and telephone calls (in case your cell phone dies or can't get a signal) Maps of every area you plan to visit, with your intended route and alternate routes indicated A list of emergency phone numbers, including your insurance company or motor club, as well as roadside assistance A list of phone numbers for places where you have reservations Your owner's manual, vehicle registration, and insurance information An extra set of keys
One of the most common mistakes that drivers make on long trips is spending too much time on the road. If one person will be doing all the driving, he or she should drive no more than six to eight hours in one day. You can make your trip pass by faster and keep yourself from zoning out by sharing driving responsibilities with someone you trust. However, even if you have someone to split the driving with, the total time you spend on the road should not exceed 10 to 11 hours in a single day.
Your vehicle's center of gravity can be affected by how you pack it. For instance, luggage stored on top of your car (e.g. in a car-top carrier) will raise your car's center of gravity, adversely affecting your ability to brake and steer. Pack the heaviest items closer to the floor and closer to the center of the vehicle. If you're not traveling with anyone else in your car, make sure you don't overload the rear of the vehicle.
Pack the items you're most likely to need while driving in the most accessible spots so you'll be able to retrieve them quickly. However, remember that you should never reach for an item while operating your car. If you need to store luggage within the passenger compartment, opt for soft items such as pillows and blankets. Pay attention to how your visibility is affected by items packed in your car. Don't pack items in a way that impedes your view of the road ahead of you, to your sides, or in your mirrors.
Texas also tries to keep its roads clean with the Adopt-A-Highway program. This program allows local organizations such as social clubs, scouting organizations, large and small businesses, and even individual families to take responsibility for keeping a specific stretch of highway clear of litter. In 1985, the world's first Adopt-A-Highway program began here in Texas. Since then, nearly 90,000 groups in all 50 states, as well as in foreign countries like Canada, Australia, and Japan, have helped their communities by adopting a highway.
The Adopt-A-Highway program is a great way to take pride in your community while bringing your group or club together as a team. When your group adopts a highway, it agrees to care for a two-mile stretch of highway for a minimum of two years by picking up litter at least four times per year. Your group's name will printed on signs posted in your adopted section, and the group will be provided with safety vests, litterbags, and safety training. Help keep Texas roads beautiful. Click here to find out more about adopting a highway.
Before leaving on a long trip, schedule a detailed inspection of your vehicle with your mechanic. Ideally, you should have your car serviced two weeks before you travel. By catching potential problems ahead of time, you won't have to deal with them in the middle of your trip. If your car breaks down in the middle of a long drive, it could ruin your entire trip. You may become stranded in an unfamiliar area, your car may need to be towed a significant distance, and you may not be able to drive for several days.
The costs of a road trip can add up quickly. Before you travel, you should estimate how much money you will have to spend on the trip so you can avoid stress and unnecessary costs, or, even worse, finding yourself without enough money to get home. First, calculate the costs of driving itself by determining how much you will have to spend on fuel and tolls. Consult state maps or check with an automobile club to determine to frequency and cost of tolls on your trip.
Over the past several decades, advances in scientific, surgical, and medical technology have made it possible to prolong many lives with organ and tissue transplants. Among the organs that can be transplanted are: The kidneys: Each year, more than 16,000 kidneys are donated, which is a more effective treatment for kidney failure than dialysis. The pancreas: Over 1,000 people every year receive a pancreas transplant, one of the most successful treatments for severe diabetes. To get the best results, kidney and pancreas transplantations are often performed together.
The liver: Over 6,000 livers are transplanted each year, many into children born with congenital defects. The lungs: Without a transplant, the best someone with severe lung disease can hope for is being hooked up to an oxygen tank 24 hours a day. Today, nearly 2,000 lungs are transplanted every year—up from just 33 in 1988. The heart: Although artificial hearts and other treatments are used to treat severe heart disease, the only effective long-term treatment is transplantation. Over 2,500 hearts are transplanted every year.
Fortunately, every year more people are being saved by donated organs. In the past 30 years, the number of donors and transplants have both more than doubled. By 2013, 79 people were receiving an organ donation every day. However, another person is added to the waiting list for an organ every 10 minutes. Because so many people are added to the list daily, the gap between the number of available organs and the size of the waiting list continues to grow.
To encourage people to register as organ and tissue donors, in 2005 the Texas legislature approved the creation of a state registry where people can indicate their intention to make an anatomical gift when they die. Today, this registry is known as the Glenda Dawson Donate Life — Texas Registry after the state representative who led the effort to create the registry after successfully receiving a donated kidney.
As you review the information presented in this unit, consider how to incorporate the following topics into your driving plan. To reduce risk on the road, you must: Minimize the impact of air pollution and the costs of gasoline by maximizing your vehicle's fuel efficiency Keep the roads and the environment clean by remembering not to litter or dispose of vehicle waste improperly Make sure you are ready for surprises on a long trip by estimating your expenses, loading your vehicle safely, and taking risk-reducing precautions Travel with maps of any area where you'll be traveling so you can orient yourself if you get lost Acknowledge the need for organ donation and inform your family of your intentions if you choose to become an organ donor
To make sure you've done a good job reviewing this unit, you must now pass a test. The information in this unit is important: if you do not pass the test, you will have to take the entire unit over again. You can review as much as you wish. Simply return to your dashboard and select the topic you want to review. Do not press NEXT until you are sure you will pass the test. It is very important for you to review carefully and make sure you know how to reduce risk on the road by caring for the planet and your fellow citizens by reducing pollution and considering organ donation.
To map your trip: Find your starting and finishing point. Decide what routes you'll use, noting relevant route numbers and street names, as well as the direction of travel. Pay close attention to where you'll have to turn or change routes. Note the exits you'll use so you'll be ready ahead of time. Never try to consult a map while operating a vehicle. If you need to look at a map, pull over!
Today, there are a number internet mapping services you can use to generate a step-by-step set of directions between your starting point and your destination. These services allow you to review your route in advance and print out the directions to take with you on your trip. However, it can be dangerous to rely on these services exclusively, as they're not always accurate and don't always represent current road closures. Moreover, these maps don't provide a lot of information about landmarks or other roadways in the area where you'll be traveling.
Avoid alcohol: Boating while intoxicated is a crime. The intoxicating effects of alcohol impair your judgment, balance, and coordination, making it harder to swim well. Alcohol also reduces your body's ability to keep itself warm, putting you at more risk for hypothermia. Don't swim during storms: Cold temperatures, heavy winds, and the potential of lightning all put you at extreme risk if you're in the water. Know how to get help: Always have a plan for who you can call and what you can do if something goes wrong. Read and obey posted signs: These instructions are meant to keep you safe, and can inform you of hazards you may not otherwise notice.
Wear a life jacket: It's estimated that 70% of people who died in accidental drownings would be alive today if they wore a life jacket. On a boat, a life jacket is as essential as a seat belt is in a car. Use an ignition safety switch: Also known as a kill switch, these devices connect the boat pilot to the ignition with a lanyard. When tugged in an emergency (for instance, if you're thrown from the boat), the boat's engine will stop immediately, preventing further injuries. Take a boater education course: Texas Parks and Wildlife offers a course to ensure you know how to operate personal watercraft safely. If you were born after September 1, 1993, you must take a boater safety course to operate any personal watercraft.
Is there a chance my organs will be recovered if I still have a chance to get better? No. Even if you register as a donor, your doctors will make every effort to save your life—including, in some situations, transplanting an organ. The medical team treating you is not even responsible for extracting your organs, and will not contact the transplant team until their life-saving efforts have failed.
What does my religion have to say about organ donation? Organ, tissue, and eye donation are generally considered acts of charity by the standards of most mainstream organized religions. Can I sell my organs? No! The National Organ Transplant Act makes it illegal to sell human organs and tissues in the United States. Violators are subject to fines up to $50,000, imprisonment up to five years, or both.
Moreover, many modern cars are equipped with GPS technology that can guide you to your destination. While these devices can reduce your stress in unfamiliar places, remember that they can distract you from the road. Never attempt to program a GPS device while driving. Even if you have a GPS device or set of directions from the Internet, you should always carry fold-out maps in your car for any areas where you'll be driving. They may prove essential if you get lost or need to find an alternate route, or if your GPS device malfunctions.
When applying for or renewing your drivers license, you'll be encouraged to register as an organ and tissue donor. As a registered donor, when you die your organs will be recovered and transplanted into people who need them urgently. Even though many people support organ donation and register as organ donors, a dire shortage of organs and tissues continues to prevent many people from getting the life-saving procedures that they need. On average, 22 people die in the United States every day waiting for an organ transplant.
Although Texas has allowed people to indicate their intention to donate organs for many years, in the past those who filled out a donor card were simply given a sticker to place on their license to signal their desires. Because intended donors are now registered in an official database, their wishes are more likely to be carried out when they die. Consider registering as an organ donor. While it may be hard for you to think about dying, you may be able to help save lives by being prepared for the worst case scenario.
When you apply for your driver's license or ID card, you can indicate your desire to be listed in the registry. However, your decision to be or not to be an organ donor won't affect whether you're licensed. To register as an organ donor, you must be 18 years old. If you're under 18, you must obtain the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
Avoid driving in the dark: Even driving at dusk or dawn can be dangerous. Not only will your visibility be impaired, but you are more likely to be drowsy behind the wheel. Use routes you know are safe: Don't try to use an unmarked or poorly maintained path as a shortcut, as road conditions could be dangerous or cause you additional delays. Always allow yourself extra travel time: If you're feeling rushed, you're less likely to drive responsibly and more likely to subject your car to stress.
When you drive, you'll usually be traveling on familiar routes and may not think to plan ahead. If you're going to be driving to a destination regularly, get in the routine of using the safest and easiest way of getting there. Don't take it for granted that the same trip will always take you the same amount of time. Whenever you're planning to drive, check weather and traffic reports while you still have time to leave early if there are going to be significant delays.
Use your air conditioner sparingly. Air conditioning is an energy-intensive process that consumes a lot of fuel. When driving at more than 40 mph, roll up your windows and use your air conditioner. At high speeds, open windows make your car less aerodynamic, lowering your gas mileage significantly. At speeds lower than 40 mph, you should open your windows if you're hot. Using your air conditioner could reduce your gas mileage by 20%.
When you first get into your car on a hot day, roll down your windows to cool down your car before you turn on your air conditioner. The hotter your car is when you turn it on, the more work your A/C will have to do. If possible, park in the shade. Your car will be cooler, and you will be more comfortable, when you return. Use the "recycle inside air" feature if your A/C is equipped with it. Reusing the cold air inside your car will take less energy than cooling down hot air from outside.
Plan to spend more for any theme parks, shows, or other recreational areas you intend to visit, as well as for any purchases you plan to make while you're on your trip. Make sure you have extra funds with you to cover any unexpected expenses. Otherwise, your entire trip may be ruined if you have to deal with a minor problem, or simply because you forgot to factor something in!
When you go on a trip, you may need to bring a significant amount of luggage. Take care not to overload your car. The combined weight of your luggage and the people who will be riding in your car should not exceed the maximum load rating indicated on the driver's side door jamb. Make sure the weight is distributed as evenly as possible. If you overload your vehicle, you'll experience poor handling, be more at risk of a collision or rollover, and potentially cause damage to your suspension system.
While a road trip can be fun, it can quickly turn into a miserable experience if you're not prepared for the unexpected. If you're planning to travel by car for an extended period of time, you should: Check the condition of your car Anticipate the costs of your trip Load your car properly Remember to pack emergency supplies and equipment Bring enough money for any contingencies
When you're going on an extended trip, first figure out how to get where you're going. Frequently, you'll want to choose the quickest route. However, if you have time to travel, you may opt for a more pleasant trip by using a scenic route. Identify the roads you will take as well as landmarks that you can use to make sure you're on the right path. While planning your route, try to determine if you'll be driving over steep hills, on unpaved roads, or in other difficult situations.
When taking a trip, you may rent a different type of vehicle such as a moving truck or Recreational Vehicle (RV). Because such vehicles accelerate more slowly, have larger stopping and turning distances, have bigger blind spots, and are longer, higher, and wider than other vehicles, make yourself familiar with the new vehicle, its operations, and its internal instrumentation before setting out. If you rent a car from an agency, inspect it before you leave. Adjust your seat and mirrors before taking the car on the road.
Whether planning a trip out of state or trying to locate an address in a nearby city or your own home town, using a map can make driving less stressful. Maps are available from state and city offices, motor clubs, book stores, many service stations, and the Internet. Many collisions are caused by drivers who suddenly hit the brakes or change lanes as they realize that they are just about to miss their turn. You can avoid being one of these drivers by knowing how to use a map correctly.
Should my age or medical condition prevent me from registering as an organ donor? No. If you'd like to have your organs donated when you die, make sure your intentions are indicated in the Donate Life registry. At the time of your death, medical professionals will determine whether your organs, tissues, and eyes are in a viable condition to be donated. Due to medical advances, more people than ever can be donors, and tissue can often be transplanted even when organs cannot. Tissue has even been recovered from people in their 80s.
Will the organ recovery process mutilate my body? Will I still be seen as a "whole person" at my funeral? Organ donation does not disfigure your body, change the way it looks in a casket, or force your funeral to be delayed. Organs, tissues, and eyes are removed surgically in a routine procedure, and your body will be carefully reconstructed to conceal the effects of the procedure.
Even if you don't want to invest in an alternative energy vehicle, modern engineering have made it much easier to find a car with excellent fuel efficiency. Keep in mind that it takes more energy to power larger, heavier vehicles like SUVs, so they typically have poor fuel efficiency. Additionally, some fuels include additives that make them better for your engine while reducing hazardous emissions. For instance, most cars can use a fuel known as E10, which contains one part ethanol to nine parts gasoline. Ethanol is an alternative fuel source derived from corn.
You can also increase your fuel efficiency by using your car's technologies wisely: You can improve your gas mileage by 7% by using cruise control on highways. Don't cruise at speeds over 60 mph, and make sure to use cruise control only on flat highways. Cruise control may make your engine speed when driving uphill and slow down when driving downhill. Always choose the highest gear appropriate for the situation, as this will reduce how hard the engine needs to work, decreasing fuel consumption. On the highway, set the transmission to overdrive if the option is available in your car.
Gasoline, Power Steering Fluid, and Windshield Wiper Fluid: Unlike motor oil and some other fluids, these fluids should be used up in the normal operation of the car and do not usually need to be drained and replaced. However, if you must dispose of them, make sure you store them in separate sealed containers and recycle them at a hazardous waste collection location. Car parts: Mufflers, transmissions, oil filters, and other plastic and metal car parts can be salvaged and reused. Contact your local government or recycling center to find out more about recycling car parts.
You may think caring for the environment is too big a responsibility for you to handle. Yet the truth is, we're using fuel, creating air pollution, and generating trash at an unsustainable rate: eventually, we could be left with an environment that is harsh, dangerous, and unhealthy. Conserving energy, reducing pollution, and recycling are all tasks you can easily perform to help the environment now and in the future. As with most driving tasks, we can best reduce the risk of a bad outcome by recognizing the problem and adjusting our actions before it's too late!
To figure out how much you'll spend on gas, you'll need to determine: The distance you'll travel: This can be found by consulting a map. Remember to factor in your return trip, and include an extra 50 to 100 miles for driving you might do at your destination. The average miles per gallon (mpg) your car normally gets The costs of gas: Since fuel prices may vary from place to place on your trip, you should use gas prices in your area to make your estimation. For instance, if you're planning to travel 1,000 miles and your car averages 25 mpg, you'll need about 40 gallons of gas. If gas is $4 a gallon, you can expect to pay about $160 for fuel.
You should also figure out: Lodging costs: A room for one to two people at most motels averages $80-$100 per night, or more during peak vacation periods. If you plan on staying at a hotel, motel, or campsite, you can save money by making reservations. Food costs: Prices to eat out can vary widely depending on region and restaurant type. Expect to spend at least $25 to $40 per person per day if you plan to eat out for every meal.