Safe Driving Course - Unit 1

What is the #1 cause of fatal motor vehicle crashes?

failing to maintain lane position

Each year, motor vehicle crashes cost the U.S. economy over _____ in medical costs, lost time at work, insurance premiums and property damage

$200 billion

Each year, nearly __ in __ drivers is involved in a motor vehicle collision. Yet only 10 percent of drivers fully recognize that driving is as risky as it is.

1 in 9

Approximately ___ people lose their lives each day due to motor-vehicle collisions.

100

Traffic crashes are the number-one killer of young people ages __ to __.

15 to 20

A driver's license gives a person __ years of age or older full driving privileges to operate most types of vehicles on Virginia roads.

18

A vehicle with low-beam headlights or DRLs on during daylight hours is visible to oncoming vehicles at almost __ the distance as the same vehicle without headlights turned on. In addition, at intersections, your presence can be detected by other drivers about ___ sooner.

twice; one second

Running off a straight roadway most frequently involves __ drivers and drivers over __ years of age.

young (after dark); 65 (between 1 and 5 pm)

Between ____ and ___ people are injured each year in motor-vehicle crashes.

2.5 and 3 million

__ of every __ drivers say that they are more careful than most other drivers.

3 of every 4

How many points is High-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) penalties?

3 points (The first offense results in a fine of $50-$125, second offense within 5 years is a fine of $250, third offense within 5 years is a fine of $500, and fourth or subsequent offense within 5 years is a fine of $1,000.)

Nationally, more than ____ teenagers die in motor vehicle crashes each year. Of those, more than __ percent were not wearing safety belts.

3,500; 60%

Sudden braking and/or following too closely result in nearly __ percent of all reported crashes annually.

30%

When you become a resident of Virginia, you have __ days to obtain a Virginia title and registration for your vehicle, and __ days to obtain a Virginia driver's license.

30; 60

Each year in the U.S., between _____ and _____ people lose their lives as a result of motor vehicle collisions. (same as 2 jumbo jets crashing each week)

33,000 and 42,000

How many points is failing to obey a traffic signal?

4 points (on your record for 3 years)

About __ percent of all drivers rate themselves as better than average, with a lot of control or almost total control over their vehicles.

85%

More than 90 percent of drivers insist that if they were to be involved in a crash, the crash would be due to someone else's driving error, something wrong with the vehicle or roadway, or just plain bad luck. IN REALITY, driver error causes more than __ percent of traffic crashes.

90%

Driving without a License is prohibited in Virginia. Any person violating this law is charged with a ___ __ misdemeanor, with subsequent offenses classified as ___ __ misdemeanors. Multiple offenses may also result in vehicle impoundment.

Class 2; Class 1

___ out of every ___ drivers is involved in a crash each year.

One out of every ten (30 % of drivers believe, however, that the odds of crashing are less than one in a thousand)

What should you do if there is a pedestrian that is going to cross the street in front of you as well as an oncoming car?

best managed by slowing to avoid meeting the pedestrian at the same time you meet the oncoming car (If the pedestrian steps into the roadway as the oncoming car approaches, you will want enough space between you and the pedestrian to be able to stop or turn the vehicle if you need to. By slowing and letting the oncoming car pass before you meet the pedestrian, you separate threatening objects. In addition to slowing you also want to sound your horn and flash your headlights to alert the pedestrian and the other driver of your presence.)

How can you reduce your risks from blocked vision?

drive with low-beam headlights turned on at all times if your vehicle is not equipped with daytime running lights (DRLs)

What 3 things make up the Highway Transportation System? What is the most influential element?

drivers, roadways and vehicles (only drivers can adapt and they are the most influential element)

What can help if you see perceived risks from any type of road users?

driving with headlights on, easing off the accelerator, sounding the horn in a friendly manner and flashing your headlights

Motor vehicle collisions are the ___ leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. & they represent the leading cause of death for people ages ___ to ___.

fifth; 3 to 34

It takes a new driver about ___ years to develop the driving ability demonstrated by the average driver.Nearly half of all new drivers will either be convicted of a traffic offense or be involved in a collision during their first ___ of driving. Many of these collisions will result in injuries or fatalities.

five; 12 months

Per miles driven, novice drivers have a crash rate ___ times higher than experienced drivers.

four

What is the most important motor-vehicle insurance protection you can have?

liability insurance (to protect you from claims made by others who suffer injury or loss in a crash in which you may be declared at fault)

All motor vehicles registered or operated must be covered by ___ ___ and basic ___ ___ ___ ___.

liability insurance; no-fault personal injury insurance

What is the key to reducing risk?

managing time, visibility and space

What is the # 1 choice for moving people and goods?

motor vehicles

More than _____ people have been killed in traffic crashes over the past 25 years.

one million

As you approach an intersection, why should you move as close as safely possible to the center of the roadway to give yourself a better line of sight, and ease up on the accelerator?

since your vision may be blocked = increased risk

What system helps to identify those who are not driving responsibly by keeping track of violations and their seriousness?

state point system (identifies habitually neglectful drivers)

Are you at a greater risk if you are alone on a road or if there is another vehicle coming in the opposite direction?

they have the same level of risk; More than 50 PERCENT of all vehicle occupant fatalities occur in single-vehicle crashes, mostly on relatively straight stretches of roadway