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Which of the following might be other ways you can minimize risk in parking lots?

Search for any type of movement—by a vehicle or a pedestrian

Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians—they are especially vulnerable in parking lots

Turn your headlights on

Park on the outskirts of the parking area if possible, and if safe—that way you will be less likely to have to drive in narrow traffic lanes

Be patient

Driving Safely In Parking Lots

Speed

Reduce your speed in parking lots

It sounds so simple, but it’s very effective. By slowing down a bit, you increase time and space to respond to any sudden change, such as a pedestrian darting out between vehicles

As when driving in poor weather conditions, “slower equals safer” in parking lots

Markings

Use all available pavement markings as your guide

Not only should you park centered between the two lines marking each parking spot, you should also attend to all the other markings

For example, you will often see painted markings indicating a one-way-only lane of travel

Called “Directional Lanes,” these large arrows indicate the traffic flow direction and let everyone know who should yield the right-of-way

Right-of-Way

Other principles of right-of-way are important to follow as well

For example, vehicles about to leave a parking space must yield the right-of-way to drivers already in the main lane of traffic

Drivers in the lane between parked vehicles must yield the right-of-way to drivers on the larger, surrounding lanes of a parking garage

Signs

Pay attention to and obey all signs, lights and signals

Signs help you:

Locate a parking area

Know where you are in a parking lot

Navigate larger parking areas

Signs can be especially helpful in parking garages, which tend to be darker inside. Such signs can be especially helpful in parking garages, which tend to be darker inside

Lights and Signals

Lights and signals can be a big help too

They may perform the same functions as signs, but can also help manage traffic within a parking area.

Also, because signals are lighted, they may be more visible to you than signs alone, especially in darker (inside and underground) parking garages

Environment

Continuously search the environment, moving your eyes to take in the entire scene

Your eyes are attracted to movement, and the sooner you see something, the sooner you can change your speed or position, if needed

For example, if you detect a vehicle backing as soon as it begins to move, you maximize the time you have to respond to avoid a collision

Like out on the roads, it’s best to assume that everyone in a parking lot, drivers and pedestrians alike, cannot see you at all. This way, you are more likely to be prepared for anything to happen

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The Dutch Reach

Reach across your body with the hand closer to the middle of the vehicle (your “inboard” hand) and work the door handle with that hand

Turn your body and head toward the outside of the vehicle

Look “upstream” for any approaching road users

Use your other hand (your “outboard” hand) to prevent the door from opening more than just a bit initially. Never fling open a car door

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Reference Points

First, imagine a sight line from your eye through the front middle of your hood, continuing on down to the curb

Next, maneuver so that point on your hood aligns with the right-side road edge. That is, when the curb lines up with the center of the front of your hood

The vehicle should now be approximately 6 inches from the curb

Why would we use the center of the hood as a reference point when parking right and left front corner of the hood if parking on the left?

Wouldn't it be the same reference point either way?

The difference is because the driver sits on the left side rather than in the center of the vehicle and so the angle of the driver's sight line is different for either side of the road

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Curbside Parking and Reference Points

Parking curbside-along a curb is the simplest way to park

Aim to position your vehicle 12 inches or closer (ideally 6 inches or less)

State laws vary on how close to a curb you have to park your vehicle

Parking any farther away can interfere with traffic in the adjacent travel lane

If your vehicle sticks out into the roadway, you are blocking a traffic lane. This is a traffic offense, and you can be cited

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Alcohol

Alcohol is involved in about 1 out of every 3 crashes

On average, how many people die or are injured in alcohol-related crashes each year?

More than 10,000 people die from alcohol-related crashes each year, and more than 1 million people are injured each year in alcohol-related crashes

How does the number of drinks affect a driver’s risk of being in a crash?

The more alcohol consumed, the higher the chance of being involved in a crash

Odds of Being in a Crash

On average, the odds of a 150-pound male who is over 21 years old being involved in a crash after consuming 1 to 2 drinks is about twice as high as that of a sober driver. That is, his risk nearly doubles

3 to 4 Drinks

After 3 to 4 drinks, his risk increases 3 to 7 times

5 to 6 Drinks

After 5 to 6 drinks, his risk of being in a crash increases 13 to 20 times

7 to 8 Drinks

And after consuming 7 to 8 drinks, his risk increases 55 to 85 times, compared to a sober male of the same age and weight

Blood Alcohol Concentration

The ratio of alcohol to blood in a drinker’s body:

Is expressed as a percentage

Must not exceed the maximum legal per se limit in many states, which is 0.08%, to drive

Is not “.8%”—that person would be so dead and full of alcohol they wouldn’t even have to be embalmed!

Alcohol is not digested before entering the bloodstream. Rather:

It is quickly and directly absorbed into the bloodstream

The bloodstream carries it to all parts of the body

Three Main Body Functions Affected by Alcohol:

1st: Judgment and Decision Making

2nd: Muscle Control

3rd: Vital Functions

How vision is affected by alcohol:

Visual Acuity–or Sharpness of Vision

Side Vision-or Peripheral Vision

When sober, most people have approximately 180 degrees of side vision; even while looking straight ahead, you can detect objects moving at the sides. As BAC rises, side vision decreases

Color Distinction

Night Vision

Distance Judgement

Focus

After TWELVE Drinks:

Coma or deep sleep is possible.

If there is enough alcohol in the stomach when a person passes out, his or her blood-alcohol level will continue to rise

If the BAC reaches 0.40%, the person will be in a deep coma and near death

If enough alcohol is consumed, the depressant effects can shut the body down…permanently

16 ounce beer:

16 ounces x 5% = .80 oz.

(16 ounces x 5% = .80 oz.)

The 16-ounce beer would contain 8/10ths of one ounce of pure alcohol

12 ounce beer:

12 ounces x 5% = .60 oz.

(12 ounces x .05 = .60 oz.)

The 12 -ounce beer would contain 6/10ths of one ounce of pure alcohol

12 ounce light beer

“Light” beer contains about 20% less alcohol, which is about 4% pure alcohol, on average.

12 ounces x 4% = .48 oz.

(12 ounces x .04 = .48 oz.)

The 12-ounce “light” beer would contain just under ½ of one

Whiskey

The average serving size for whiskey is 1.5 ounces, but it is often mixed with another alcohol-free beverage, such as soda. Whiskey is typically 80 proof, or 40% alcohol

An average 1.5-ounce serving of whiskey contains:

1.5 ounces x 40% = .60 oz. (1.5 ounces x .40 = .60 oz.)

The 1.5-ounce serving of whiskey would contain just under 6/10ths of one ounce of pure alcohol

Wine

A standard serving of wine is 5 ounces. That means there are approximately 5 glasses per standard-sized bottle (750 milliliters). There is, on average, about 12% pure alcohol in wine

On average, a 5-ounce glass of wine has:

5 ounces x 12% = .60 oz. (5 ounces x .12 = .60 oz.)

This 5-ounce glass of wine would contain about 6/10th of one ounce of pure alcohol

Mixed Drinks

Mixed drinks contain more than one type of alcohol. In order to determine the amount of alcohol in a mixed drink, you would:

Add together the amounts of pure alcohol in each type of alcoholic beverage

One example would be a margarita—it contains two types of alcohol:

Tequila

Triple Sec

Factors

Women’s bodies produce less alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol in the stomach

This means it takes women longer to process alcohol, so their BAC will peak higher

On average, women reach a peak BAC about 20-percent higher than men

This is true even if the man and woman are of equal weight and drink the same amount

Time Spent Drinking

The faster a drinker consumes alcohol, the more quickly BAC reaches its peak

For example, someone who consumes three drinks in 1 hour will have a higher BAC than someone who consumes three drinks over 3 hours

Spreading out drinking over time will result in a lower peak BAC, other factors being equal

Primary Ways Alcohol is Eliminated:

Oxidation

The majority (90%) of alcohol is removed by the liver as it processes the alcohol through oxidation.

Breathing

Approximately 8% of alcohol is eliminated through breathing. This explains why you can detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage on a drinker’s breath

Perspiring

About 2% of alcohol is eliminated through perspiring (sweating). It is possible to detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage on a drinker's body

The body eliminates alcohol at a rate of one drink per hour, on average

False

Alcohol Elimination Time

How long does it take for the body to eliminate the alcohol in one standard-sized drink?

Between 1 ¼ and 1 ½ hours or longer

Some very large males (over 250 pounds) can eliminate this amount of alcohol in 1 hour

Alcohol Concentration

How long does your alcohol level continue to rise after you have stopped drinking?

It continues to rise for about 30 minutes

It takes time for alcohol to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream, causing the BAC to rise even more

Faster In or Out?

Can the body take in alcohol faster than it can get rid of it?

• Yes, this causes the BAC to rise and increases the person's chances of becoming intoxicated

1) It takes the body, on average, approximately how long to eliminate the alcohol contained in one drink?

1 ¼–1 ½ hours

2) Alcohol affects a person’s behavior as soon as it:

Reaches the brain

3) Which of the following will help someone sober up from the effects of alcohol?

Time

4) One factor affecting how high a person’s BAC reaches is _______.

Amount of beverage consumed

5) BAC stands for __________

Blood Alcohol Concentration

6) The effects of alcohol start with the:

1st drink

7) The first ability impaired by alcohol and some other drugs is:

Judgement/Decision making

8) Alcohol is what type of drug?

Depressant

9) What factor(s) affect BAC levels?

Gender

Weight

Size of the drink

10) Oxidation, the burning of alcohol, takes place in the:

Liver

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Chapter 13

How Can a Drug Affect One's Driving Abilities?

Perceive -> Decide -> Act

What does "THC" stand for?

• Tetrahydrocannabinol

• It comes from the hemp plant

Over a 7-year study period, the number of “Green DUIs” has increased by approximately 47%

Effects of Cannabis on the Human Body:

Short Term Memory

Reduced mental performance, including:

A tendency to be able to direct one’s attention to only one thing at a time

Diminished problem-solving abilities

Lower ability to remain focused for long period of time

Less organized thoughts

Reduced ability to learn new things, such as in school:

Cannabis can interrupt the brain’s learning and memory circuits

As a result, less information gets saved into memory

In effect, short-term memory is decreased

Plus, users have a harder time retrieving pieces of information that are stored in memory

Physical Changes

Reduced motor coordination

Irritated airways

Bronchitis

Liver fibrosis (scarred liver tissue)

Increased heart rate

Drowsiness

Blood shot eyes

Increased blood pressure

It is found in the blood of about 14% of drivers who are killed in crashes

What are some side effects of narcotic analgesics/opioids?

Incoherence

Dizziness

Nausea and vomiting

What are some examples?

Morphine

Heroin

Codeine

Oxycodone

Fentanyl

Demerol

What are narcotic analgesics/opioids?

These are drugs that have morphine-like effects

Prescribed to help reduce pain, both:

Chronic (long-term)

Acute (sudden, severe)

What are some effects of narcotic analgesics/opioids on driving abilities?

Slow decision-making

Difficulty perceiving a traffic scene

Poor vehicle control

Confusion

Delayed reaction time

Dissociative anesthetics are drugs that can make users feel disconnected from their own bodies, as if they are watching themselves from outside their own bodies

Generally their effects are caused by disrupting the actions of the brain chemical glutamate, which plays a key role in the perception of pain, emotions, learning and memory

Examples

Some examples include:

PCP

Dextromethorphan (a common cough suppressant)

Ketamine (“Special K”)

Depressants:

What are some examples?

Alcohol

Tranquilizers

Barbiturates

Certain sleep aids

Depressants cause

shallow breathing

slurred speech

fatigue

disorientation

lack of coordination

They generally work the opposite of stimulants by slowing down the Central Nervous System

36% of fatalities that were tested in one study were under the influence of drugs other than alcohol

About half of fatal-crash victims who have drugs in their system also have BACs high enough to impair their driving abilities

At least one out of seven fatally injured drivers has some drug in his or her system at the time of the crash

Young driver alcohol-related crashes are more likely to involve another drug than crashes that are not alcohol-related

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Chapter 14

In its video study of drivers age 16 to 19, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers were distracted leading up to:

3 out of 4 rear-end crashes

9 out of 10 ran-off-the-road crashes

Overall, the study found that:

6 out of 10 teen crashes involve driver distraction

New young drivers are highly vulnerable to attempting to do other things while driving

Risk of Death with Passengers under 21

A 16- or 17-year-old driver's risk of being killed in a crash increases when there are passengers under 21 in the vehicle

When compared to driving without any passengers, the risk:

Increases by 44% when carrying 1 passenger younger than 21

Doubles when carrying 2 passengers younger than 21

Quadruples when carrying 3 or more passengers younger than 21

Decreases by 62% when an adult age 35+ is in the vehicle

In the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety video-based study:

6% of all distracted driving crashes involved reaching for an object

Drivers who are eating have been shown to be at least three times more likely to crash than drivers who are not eating

Aggression

Aggressive music is also associated with more aggressive driving behaviors, such as changing lanes frequently.

The same study found that drivers listening to fast music changed lanes twice as often compared to drivers listening to light or no music.

Perception

All types of music cause a driver’s perceived speed to be up to one-third lower than their actual speed. That is, they think they are going slower than they are.

That could be a huge problem when entering a turn, or approaching stopped traffic ahead

Speeding

Aggressive music is associated with faster driving

One study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that drivers listening to fast music drove an average of 10 mph faster than drivers listening to light or no music

Dozens of research studies have shown that when using a cell phone while driving:

The risk of being involved in a collision increases up to four times

Often with fatal results

Drivers operating or looking at cell phones looked away from the forward roadway a great deal

Drivers spent an average of 4 seconds out of final 6 seconds before the crash looking away

Drivers using a hands-free device had reaction times 40% slower than drivers who were not distracted

Both methods of cell phone use divert a driver’s attention

How risky is texting and driving, in terms of actually resulting in crashes, injuries, and deaths?

Specifically, these research efforts have revealed that texting drivers:

Are 25% more likely to drift out of their lane

And their eyes-off-the-road time can increase by up to four times

Whether typing or using voice-activation, texting drivers have been found to be:

Three times more likely to veer off the road and crash

Seven times more likely to rear-end a vehicle ahead

Eight times more likely to be involved in a crash, overall

Swerving

The participants swerved for 15.1 seconds after a voice distraction and for a longer 20.6 seconds after a text distraction

Seniors

Participants from the 71+ age group missed seeing about 50% of peripheral cues within 4 seconds of the distraction

Crashes

Coherence with the lead car during following task dropped from 0.54 to 0.045 during distraction, and seven participants rear-ended the lead car

On average, the study showed that unsafe mental distractions can persist for as long as 27 seconds after a driver finishes using voice-based technology, and this distraction “hangover” can result in drivers having less control of their vehicles

The main message here: The danger doesn’t end just because you press END on your phone

The three main types of distractions: Visual, manual (physical), and cognitive (mental)

• The three aspects of driving that can be affected by distractions: Perception, Decision, Action

• Prevent distractions before your begin driving

• Safely manage distractions that do occur

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Demerit Points

Rules for administrative license suspensions relating to demerit point accumulation, convictions, and adjudications are the most commonly utilized tool for the control of driver behavior in Maine

Name the violations of traffic laws which, upon conviction, carry automatic 90-day suspensions

Eluding a police officer

passing a roadblock

street racing

What is a title and how do you apply for one?

A legal document identifying ownership of the vehicle. A "title application" must be processed at the time of your first registration after purchasing the vehicle

What is the BAC level which determines operating under the influence (O.U.I.) in Maine for people 21 years or older

If you are the operator of a motor vehicle and are 21 or older and are driving with an alcohol level of 0.08 , you are guilty of a criminal offense of operating under the influence

Seatbelts

Statistically, every citizen has a one in three chance of being in a serious crash in his or her life. When used properly, lap and shoulder belts can reduce the risk of a serious or fatal injury by 40-55%

Maximum speeds in Maine, unless posted otherwise, are:

45 miles per hour outside any business or residential or built-up area of Maine

25 miles per hour in a business district, residential district, or built-up area of the state

What is the first thing you should do if you are involved in a crash?

Stop and render aid

If a Crash with an Animal is Unavoidable:

1. Apply the brakes

2. Let up on the brake just before impact

3. Aim to hit the tail of the animal

4. Duck down to minimize your injuries

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Autonomous Vehicles

Many people would define an AV as a vehicle that can "drive itself". The vehicle can control steering and speed, braking and accelerating, all without the driver’s involvement

This would sort of imply that a vehicle is either “autonomous” or not:

That it is a binary outcome - yes or no

That it can drive itself anytime, anywhere OR it cannot do that

How will self-driving cars be able to navigate on the roads and "see" what needs to be seen?

They will use different types of sensors, such as:

Cameras

RADAR (radio detection and ranging)

SONAR (sound navigation and ranging)

LiDAR (light detection and ranging)

LiDAR uses lasers to measure the distance to other objects and their speed and direction of movement

It emits pulsed laser beams and measures how long they take to bounce back

That information is then used to create a 3-dimensional map of everything around the vehicle

Data collected by the LiDAR system are then used to determine speed and directional control actions

LiDAR's laser beams are not visible to the human eye but there is a way to see what LiDAR can see around the vehicle

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With each new model year, vehicles are being equipped with increasing amounts of technology, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which are intended to reduce the following:

Crashes

Injuries

Deaths

AEB

When encountering a child darting out from between two cars, at just 20 mph, a collision occurred 9 out of 10 times

That is a performance level of 10%

Even at just 20 mph, the vehicles avoided a collision about 4 out of 10 times

That is a performance level of 40%

What letter grade would a student receive if they earned a 40% in a class?

When the vehicle speed was increased from 20 to 30 mph, the systems were ineffective in all the scenarios and resulted in every pedestrian being struck by the vehicle

Immediately following a right turn, all the test vehicles collided with the adult pedestrian

Performance at night was bad too.

These AEB systems were basically completely ineffective in nighttime conditions.

Considering that 3 out of 4 pedestrian fatalities occur at nighttime, that’s not very good at this point

When approaching the two adults standing along the roadside, a collision occurred 8 out of 10 times

In some situations, these AEB systems failed 100% of the time, such as after turning right and at nighttime

P

Purpose

Learn what each technology is intended to do by reading the vehicle's owner's manual

L

Limitations

Understand what each technology cannot do; don't make any inaccurate assumptions about the technology

A

Allow Time For Testing

Allow time for safe on-road testing (where appropriate), so you know exactly how each system works in the real world

N

Never Rely On It

Do not rely on the technology; instead, drive as if your car does not have the technology, and let it back you up only if needed

Semi-Automated Parking Assistance

Semi-automated parking assistance systems control the vehicle steering during parking.

The driver remains responsible for:

Accelerating

Braking

Gear position

All of these systems assist with parallel parking

Some aid in perpendicular parking as well

The number of times the vehicle’s tire struck the curb?

Drivers using the automated parking system experienced over 80% fewer curb strikes than drivers who parked manually

Were there flaws with some of the systems?

Some parked too close to the curb- this left the wheels and tires vulnerable to scratches and costly repairs

Some systems also were complicated to use

The number of maneuvers needed to park?

The automated system parallel parked the vehicle using 47% fewer maneuvers

That means the human driver had to make about twice as many steering and space adjustments as the automated system did

A fully-automated parking assistance system takes charge of all necessary operations during a parking maneuver which includes:

acceleration

braking

steering

shifting

A semi-automated system may still require the driver to brake or accelerate as necessary

Pre-Collision

Some newer vehicles also prepare the cabin to protect occupants in the event of a crash

If the vehicle detects a potential crash, it performs several last-second adjustments in an effort to protect the occupants

Pre-collision preparation might include:

Pre-tensioning the safety belts to remove any slack

Moving the seats into a more upright position

Closing the windows and sunroof

Repositioning the head restraints

Many of these adjustments happen so quickly that the occupants might not be aware they are being performed

Forward Collision

Forward collision warning systems are primarily designed to detect possible collisions with other motor vehicles, which are relatively large and mostly made of metal

However, some newer collision warning systems use high-resolution cameras with sophisticated imaging software to identify smaller objects and more vulnerable road users, including:

Pedestrians (pedestrian detection)

Bicyclists (bicycle detection)

Motorcycles

Animals and other objects

Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection:

This technology uses specialized sensors to detect pedestrian movements

Some versions may urgently apply the brakes if the driver fails to respond

Pedestrian Detection may not always be able to help avoid a collision, but this feature can help reduce the speed enough to make the impact more survivable

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, blind spot monitoring systems have been found to result in 14% fewer collisions involving lane changes and 23% fewer lane change collisions in which injuries occur

A rear cross traffic warning system uses ultrasonic and/or radar sensors at the back of the car

It is designed to detect other vehicles approaching from either side when the transmission is in Reverse

These systems are very useful when backing out of a parking space, especially when visibility to the sides is obstructed

These systems fall into a category called “collision alerts” or “collision warnings

Electronic Stability Control, or “ESC,” plays a major role in assisting drivers with maintaining traction in wet and slippery conditions

Using a variety of sensors, ESC determines when one or more tires has lost traction with the road

ESC then assists the driver by applying the brakes to individual wheels

Counteracting forces help keep the vehicle on its intended path of travel

How effective is ESC?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that ESC reduces fatal single-vehicle crash risk by about half

It also estimates that ESC reduces single-vehicle rollover events by over 70%

Left Turn Crash Avoidance Systems:

If the system detects a potential collision, it may:

Provide an audible and/or visual alert

And automatically brake so as to avoid a crash or reduce its severity

In a scenario where automatic emergency braking is activated:

The system typically overrides any acceleration input from the driver to quickly stop the vehicle

The driver may be able to override the system by pressing further down on the accelerator

Reverse automatic emergency braking systems operate when backing at low speeds (as when parking)

If the driver fails to heed audible and visual warnings that the car is approaching an obstacle, the system automatically applies the brakes to:

Avoid a collision

Or ease the severity of an impact

These systems use the same sensors as the rear cross traffic warning systems described earlier

They fall into a category called “collision mitigation” or “collision intervention”

Active safety systems could include ABS, ESC and object detection

Passive safety systems could include safety belts and airbags

Over 20 safety components and systems could be enabled to help prevent a crash

If a crash cannot be prevented, the systems combine to prepare the vehicle to minimize occupant injury

This could include:

Raising the windows

Pulling the safety belts tight

Closing the sunroof

Straightening the seats up

Pre-charging the brakes

Set ACC

When setting the ACC, a driver selects the desired travel speed and a desired distance from a vehicle directly ahead

Slow Down

If the vehicle approaches a slower car, or the vehicle ahead begins to slow:

A camera and/or radar sensor detects the closing gap

And the system automatically reduces speed to maintain the preset distance between the cars

Accelerate

If the car accelerates, ACC automatically increases speed while maintaining the preset gap

Return to Speed

Once the road ahead is sufficiently clear, the car returns to the driver’s preset cruise control speed

Adaptive Cruise Control falls into a category called "automated driving tasks" or "driving control assistance"

Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control:

If the vehicle ahead slows below a certain speed:

Some ACC systems disengage

And alert the driver to resume control

The system may also disengage if debris and/or weather conditions affect the ability of its sensors to provide accurate information

The driver can disengage the system simply by pressing the brake pedal

More advanced adaptive cruise control systems can work with the vehicle’s automatic braking system to provide “stop and go” capability, sometimes referred to as “traffic jam assist.”

• In this mode, the brakes and accelerator are controlled automatically in congested traffic

• Some systems require that the driver initiate forward movement after each stop by tapping the accelerator pedal

• While others accelerate automatically as soon as there is sufficient space behind the car ahead

Dynamic driving assistance is a term describing a combination of vehicle systems that can control acceleration, braking, and steering

These systems work under only limited conditions, such as on an expressway

And function with minimal input from the driver

Dynamic driving assistance only provides speed and steering management assistance to drivers

The driver must:

Remain fully engaged

Be prepared to take control of the car at a moment’s notice

L-R

The vehicle automatically detects the presence of a child or pet in a rear seat

Then the driver is provided a reminder warning when they turn the ignition off

The reminder could be:

Visual

Audible

A combination of both

These systems are intended to guard against injury to children/pets when left exposed to the elements in an unattended vehicle

Side View Cameras:

Typically activates when the driver uses the turn signal

Uses interior video display to show what is on both sides of the vehicle

Active Window/ Windshield Display:

Active window displays/augmented reality displays are able to project images, navigation, and other information on the windshield

Some systems animate the side windows, for the entertainment and education of passengers

Dynamic Road Sign Display:

Dynamic road sign display systems use information from three separate sources:

The camera

The on-board navigation system

Data from the vehicle

Traffic Sign Recognition:

This system uses a forward-aimed camera to identify traffic signs and display them:

On the dash

In the navigation system

Or on the head-up display

Each time you enter a new speed limit area, an icon displaying that speed appears on the instrument panel

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) alert the driver if one or more tires is underinflated

The alert appears on the dashboard

Some systems can identify specifically which tires are underinflated

Some systems can also detect overinflated tires

Traction Control (TC) helps prevent your tires from spinning on slick surfaces

It helps increase traction when accelerating

It activates only when one or more of your wheels spins

Telematics is a general term referring to systems that merge telecommunications and vehicle technology systems

V2V communication stands for "vehicle-to-vehicle communication”

V2V communication involves wireless data transmission between vehicles, such as information about:

Speed

Location

Direction they are heading

By providing information to drivers from other drivers and their vehicles, V2V has the potential to help:

Avoid crashes

Ease traffic congestion

Minimize vehicles' impacts on the environment

Essentially, vehicles will be able to “talk” to each other about the traffic situations immediately around them

It is also a critical factor for self-driving vehicles to function correctly

[aaacourse]

Driving on tires that are under-inflated decreases fuel economy by 20%.

0. Air-Filter Assembly

Required maintenance: replace filter per maintenance schedule

1. Engine Coolant Reservoir

This reservoir holds your radiator fluid. Required maintenance: check fluid level

2. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir

Required maintenance: check fluid level

3. Power-steering Fluid Reservoir

Required maintenance: check fluid level

4. Drive Belts

Required maintenance: check tension and wear

5. Engine Oil Filter Cap

Required maintenance: Add oil as needed

6. Engine-oil Dipstick

Required maintenance: check fluid level

7. Transmission-fluid Dipstick

Required maintenance: check fluid level

Note: Only found with automatic transmissions

8. Brake Fluid Reservoir

Required maintenance: check fluid level

9. Battery

Required maintenance: make sure the cable connections are clean

Maintenance Inspections

Check the brakes for:

Pedal pressure/travel

Smooth/straight stops

Check the exhaust for:

Noise

Fumes

Leaks

Check the steering for:

Steering-wheel play

Stiffness in steering

Check the windows for:

Cracks

Scratches

Dirt

Pits

Check the headlights for:

Dirty lenses

Burned-out bulbs

Alignment

Check the Tires:

Air pressure

Cuts

Tread Wear

Alignment

Check the wipers for:

Wiper-blade condition

Windshield washer fluid

Check the suspension/shocks for:

Excessive bouncing

Leaning

Swaying

Check Under the Hood for:

Fluids

Hoses

Belts

Filters

Connections

To be safe to use, your vehicle’s tires should have a minimum tread depth of ________.

2/32 of an inch

Which should be included on your daily maintenance checklist?

Brakes: Pedal pressure/travel, smooth/straight stops

[aaacourse]

During a crash, there are at least three collisions that occur

The first collision occurs between the vehicle and another vehicle, abutment, tree, or another object

THE RESULT: Vehicular damage, possible property damage

The second collision is just a traction of a second behind the first collision. It occurs between the occupants and some part of the vehicle's interior

THE RESULT: Injury or death can occur if occupant protection (e.g. safety belts) are not used

The third collision immediately follows the second collision. Here, the body's internal organs strike other body parts, such as the ribs or skull

THE RESULT: Injury or death can occur if occupant protection (e.g. safety belts) are not used

"The Fourth Collision"

This can occur when any loose objects are propelled into the passengers during the third collision. All loose objects should be secured before putting the vehicle into gear

When safety belts are properly used by front-seat occupants, chances of dying are reduced by 45%

Crash forces are estimated by multiplying speed and weight. For example, in a 30 mph crash, a 150-pound passenger would absorb 4,500 pounds of crash force

Your passengers can be thrown about inside

Only one-tenth of a second is needed to turn a potentially fatal crash into a fender bender

If an off-road path is unavailable, there are still a few things you can do to try and "control the hit."

1. Adjust your speed and steer so you can hit, or be hit, at or behind the rear wheels. This can allow you to spin instead of directly absorbing the force of the striking vehicle

2. Try to hit the object with a "glancing blow."

So, more at an angle, rather than head-on

3. If you can, try to hit an object that isn't solid. Or, at least try to choose something that "gives"

What should you do if someone is injured:

If someone is injured, call 9-1-1. While you wait for help to arrive, make any injured individuals comfortable, but do not move them unless there is a risk of another collision or fire

Even good intentions can cause further injury, for example, to an individual with a spine injury

If you are trained, use basic first aid to stop any bleeding and administer CPR for a person who does not have a pulse and is not breathing

How can you help prevent further vehicle damage or personal injury:

It possible, you should try to do as many of the following:

• If possible, have an adult post up near the scene to warn approaching traffic

• Place warning devices several hundred feet in back of, and in front of, the crash site to warn approaching drivers

• Be extremely cautious of approaching vehicles

• Turn on hazard flashers

• If it is nighttime, leave your low-beam headlights on

• If a disabled vehicle must remain on the road and visibility is low due to fog, stay as far away from the vehicle as possible

When you should notify the police:

By law, you must notify the police immediately when your vehicle is involved in an incident that results in:

• Personal injury

• Death

• Property damage over a specific dollar amount

However, even when there appear to be no injuries or property damage it is helpful to notify the proper authority immediately so an officer can investigate. A crash report may help later it a liability claim is filed by the other driver

Information that must be exchanged with the other drivers) and any injured persons:

You should be prepared to give and receive the following from the other drivers):

• Your full names

• Vehicle identification numbers (VIN)

• Registration information

• Insurance information

All involved drivers must show their driver's licenses when requested

Passengers must provide the required information when the driver is physically unable

to do so. Any crash witnesses also should be identified

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Emergencies

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when water between your vehicle and the road builds up underneath your tires so that you are no longer in contact with the pavement. It can also be called “aquaplaning”

When you hydroplane, the vehicle's tires are actually riding on a film of water

To prevent hydroplaning, make sure tires have deep, open treads

Under-inflated tires

Regardless of your tread depth, if your tires are under-inflated they will ride lower to the surface of the road and not be able to evacuate water as well

If your tires have good tread and are properly inflated, they should maintain contact with a wet road at speeds 30 mph or lower

At speeds between 30 and 55 mph, hydroplaning can occur with even the best tires

Driving too fast makes it easier for the tires to ride up on top of the water

How to recover from driving off the edge of the roadway

Remain calm and keep the steering wheel pointed straight

Gently ease off the accelerator

Let the car slow as much as possible before trying to get back on the road

Check for traffic from behind

How to return to the roadway if your path of travel is clear

Step 1.

Ease off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow gradually.

If possible, avoid braking. If you must brake, use a gentle squeeze braking technique to maintain steering control

Unless an object is directly in your path of travel, do not try to return to the roadway until you have reduced your speed

Step 2.

Steer the tires that are off the paved road to approximately 1½ to 2 feet from the edge of the pavement

Step 3.

When your speed is under control and it is safe to do so, quickly turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn back toward the roadway

This allows the front tire to climb the pavement edge and move back onto the roadway

Rather than scrubbing along the roadway edge

Step 4.

As soon as the front tire is back on the roadway, counter-steer quickly left or right as necessary to stay in the correct lane

When you are not able to slow down, do the following:

1. Steer left or right so the tires that are off the pavement are approximately 12 inches from the edge of the pavement

2. Remove your foot from the accelerator, but do not brake. Turn the steering wheel quickly—about one-eighth of a turn toward the roadway. This allows the front tire to climb the pavement edge and move back onto the road surface

3. Immediately, as the outer wheel makes contact with the edge of the pavement, counter-steer about one-quarter turn. Then make steering corrections to center or straighten steering, as necessary

Start by letting your car decelerate—ideally without braking. Unless an object is directly in your path of travel, wait until you have reduced your speed to get back onto the road. Turning the steering wheel quickly about one-eighth of a turn back toward the roadway allows the front tire to climb the pavement edge and move back onto the roadway instead of scrubbing along the roadway edge. You may need to counter-steer quickly left or right as necessary to stay in the correct lane

Skids

During a front-tire skid (Understeer):

The front tires lose traction

The vehicle pushes wide and tends to run off the outside of a turn or curve

During a rear-tire skid (Oversteer):

The rear tires lose traction

The rear of the vehicle slides sideways

The front of the vehicle begins to point away from your intended path of travel

The vehicle may spin around completely if the driver does not respond correctly

Recovering from a Front-Tire Skid

1. Continue to look and steer where you want to go

2. Smoothly ease up on the accelerator to transfer more weight to the front wheels, increasing the front tires’ traction

If you back off the accelerator too quickly in a skid, the weight can shift forward rapidly enough for the rear of the vehicle to slide sideways

You may need to smoothly brake a bit to regain enough traction

Recovering from a Rear-Tire Skid

1. Continue to look and steer where you want to go

2. Avoid braking

3. As the rear tires regain traction, continue looking and steering toward your intended path of travel

You may need to correctly counter-steer several times before you fully regain traction

Counter-steering is steering in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go

Most drivers steer this way instinctively when the back end of their vehicle slides and the front end veers from path of travel, like in a rear-tire skid

Just straighten the wheels as soon as you feel the rear of the vehicle begin to realign with where you want to go

After you counter-steer, be prepared for the vehicle to "fishtail."

Fishtailing is when the back of the vehicle swings too far in the opposite direction. Be ready to counter-steer quickly if the skidding continues. A quick and correct response is critical

Stuck

Keep the front wheels pointed straight ahead so the vehicle can move in a straight line. Apply power slowly and steadily. If you can't go forward, back out and steer in the tracks your vehicle just made

Shift into second gear, and use it to help move the vehicle. This can help prevent wheel spin

Accelerate gently-just enough to move the vehicle. Ease along gradually until traction improves

You are driving down the road at 30 mph, when suddenly, an object appears in the road. In general, which do you think is more effective in this situation—emergency braking or evasive steering?

Evasive steering is more effective. At speeds greater than 25 mph, less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to stop to avoid it

Examples of evasive actions include:

Abrupt steering left or right

Sudden braking

Abrupt acceleration

A combination of these three actions

In an emergency, there may not be time for hand-to-hand steering. For the quickest steering, the fixed-hand method, with hands at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions, is the best choice

The fixed-hand method provides:

180-degree steering input without removing your hands from the steering wheel

A high level of vehicle control

An awareness of where the front wheels are pointing and how to straighten them

A faster response time, making evasive action more possible

Braking WITH Anti-locking

Brakes (ABS)

1. In an emergency, push the brake down hard and fast!

2. When you brake hard enough to engage the ABS, you typically feel the brake pedal pulse against your foot. This sensation is normal and indicates the system is working properly

3. With ABS, do not pump the pedal or remove your foot from the brake

Braking WITHOUT Anti-locking Brakes (ABS)

If your vehicle IS NOT equipped with ABS and you need to use an evasive braking maneuver perform the following:

1. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor

2. Use your toes to apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal to a point just short of locking up

Personal Safety

A child’s body will heat up 3–5 times faster than an adult’s.

Left in a parked car, a child's core body temperature can reach temperatures where death is possible in only 10 minutes

Heatstroke has occurred in vehicles when outside temperatures were as low as 57 degrees Fahrenheit

With an outside temperature of just 75 degrees, the inside of a car can reach 94 degrees in just 10 minutes

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Downshifting means shifting to a lower gear, which is effective as you travel up and down grades

When going uphill, downshifting results in more engine power

When going downhill, downshifting results in engine compression to help your vehicle's brakes control your speed

This way, you don't have to use your brakes as much and it reduces the chance of your brakes overheating

Do Not Shift to Neutral Going Downhill!

Driving your vehicle downhill is riskier because gravity attempts to pull you down more quickly than you want. You should not coast down hills in Neutral

Drivers traveling downhill must yield the right-of-way to those traveling uphill, especially on narrow roads

Signs that warn drivers of falling rocks are yellow and black

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can help to prevent loss of traction, but do not solely rely on it. Instead, adjust your speed for the road conditions

Dehydration can impair driving abilities to a degree similar to a blood alcohol level of 0.08%

Temporary Work Zones

Approximately 1,000 people die each year and 40,000 people are injured each year in work zone crashes

Rear-impact crashes are most common in work zones. Traffic ahead slows or stops suddenly, resulting in crashes

1) If you are caught in a dust storm while driving, you should:

Reduce your speed immediately, pull over and stop

2) ______ require(s) driving at speeds that are reasonable and prudent for conditions

The Basic Speed Law

3) How much water is needed to carry a car away?

2 feet

4) As few as ______inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle

6

5) It’s raining hard, and your vision is so limited that you cannot see the edges of the roadway. There is no rest stop or parking lot in sight. What is your best course of action?

Pull over to the side of the road

6) Grime can reduce headlight effectiveness by as much as:

0.9

7) When driving through a work zone, you should avoid ______

Changing lanes

8) _______ are especially prone to their brakes overheating when they're being driven downhill

Large trucks

9) ________ can increase risk when driving in low light or nighttime conditions.

Glare

Narrower side vision

Impaired drivers

10) Which areas are likely to freeze before other road surfaces?

Bridge surfaces

Ramps

Overpasses

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Night Driving

The majority of nighttime crashes involving teens occurs between 9 pm and midnight

Many states' graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws restrict night driving by teens between midnight and early morning

Avoid driving around your bedtime or afternoon slump time

Clean your windows and windshield, and ensure that all headlights, tail lights, and license plate lights work

Adjust your speed to the reach of your vehicle's headlights

High-beam headlights shine 350 to 500 feet ahead, and low-beam headlights shine a much shorter distance. You must be able to stop within those distances

Honor the basic speed law

Keep Your Brain and Eyes Active

Search beyond and to the sides of your path of travel, including low in front of the vehicle. Watch for objects, animals, and debris

Be alert for sudden flashes indicating headlights ahead

Protect your eyes from glare

Do not wear dark or colored lenses when driving in low-light conditions or at night, unless prescribed by a doctor for night driving

Keep the inside of your vehicle dark

The darker the inside of the vehicle is, the easier it is to see outside of the vehicle

Do not turn on the dome light while driving and avoid glow from electronic devices

Reduce the brightness of the instrument panel—too many drivers turn up the instrument lights all the way

Use Caution with High-Beams

When approaching or following vehicles that are using high beams, flash your lights at them to remind them to dim their lights

Do not retaliate if they fail to do so. Instead, drop your gaze downward and to the right to avoid being blinded

Use Vehicle Night Vision Technology

Newer model cars may be equipped with this feature, but it is designed to assist you, not replace you

Make sure you still follow all the risk reduction strategies

Driving in dense fog can be like driving at night while wearing sunglasses. Visibility is very challenging

Fog

The two most important safety measures you can apply when driving in fog are:

1. Reduce your speed, following the Basic Speed Law

2. Use your low-beam headlights

Low-beam headlights

help other drivers see you

help you see the roadway more clearly

lights your vehicle’s tail lights and side lights, increasing your vehicle’s visibility to other drivers

High-beam headlights create additional light to be reflected by the fog back into your eyes, reducing your ability to see (known as the Tyndall Effect; it’s science)

Check Under Hood

Check your cooling system fluids and hoses before any journey

Test Tire Pressure

Measure tire pressure in the morning or when tires are “cold”

Drive for moderate amounts of time to prevent excessive tire pressure buildup

If your vehicle is riding hard, move to a safe off-road position to allow the tires to cool

Carry Drinking Water

Carry at least 5 gallons of drinking water in a plastic container

Check Temperatures

Regularly monitor your vehicle’s engine temperature gauge

Check Engine Oil Levels

Check the engine oil level each time you fuel your vehicle

When you detect smoke or sand clouds, you should use your hazard flashers to be more visible to other drivers.

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Wet/Snow/Icy

Standing water can stall your engine and hide potholes

Water streaming across a road can carry your vehicle downstream

Ignoring detour barricades set up in flooding conditions means you can be charged for emergency response expenses incurred during the rescue

Driving in standing water that is just 6 inches deep can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. And, only 2 feet of moving water is needed to carry your car away

Road grime splashed by other vehicles can cover your headlight lenses with a film that can reduce headlight effectiveness by as much as 90%

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Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. The National Sleep Foundation, in its Sleep in America poll, found:

Drivers who have not slept enough are more likely to be in a crash, as well as to have caused the crash

A driver who only slept 6 to 7 hours had a crash causation risk of 1.3 times that of a driver who slept 7 or more hours. That represents an increase of 30%

Drivers who slept 5 to 6 hours had a crash causations risk of 1.9 - almost twice the risk of drivers who slept 7 or more hours

Drivers who slept only 4 or fewer hours had the highest crash causation risk: 11.5. That's over 10 times higher than drivers who slept 7 or more hours!

Drivers who slept 4 to 5 hours had a crash causation risk of 4.3 - over three times as high.

About 6 in 10 drivers have driven while drowsy in the past 12 months

90% of drivers consider drowsy driving to be a somewhat or very serious threat, however:

More than 1 in 3 admitted to falling asleep at the wheel

Many of these drivers experienced "microsleep"- bouts of sleep that last a few seconds

The NHTSA estimates approximately 90,000 police-reported crashes as a result of drowsy driving. This resulted in more than 800 deaths, 40,000 injuries, and more than $100 billion in monetary losses

Young drivers (under 30 years old) are involved in more than two-thirds of fall-asleep crashes. They are four times more likely to experience a sleep-related crash than drivers age 30 and older

How many drivers who have survived a crash after falling asleep reported signs of fatigue and drowsiness prior to the crash?

One-half noticed any signs of fatigue or drowsiness. One-half experienced no warning signs whatsoever! That means relying on warning signs of drowsiness is risky. It may be too late for you at that point. It is far more effective to prevent becoming tired while driving

Fewer than 4 out of 10 adults on average get enough sleep. The optimal amount of sleep needed for functioning and health for young adults ages 12 to 18 is between 9 and 9 1/2 hours per day

Adults need between 7 1/2 and 8 1/2 hours of sleep per day, but only about 1 out of 3 adults gets enough sleep

Drowsy Driving - Driving under the influence

IMPAIRMENT Drivers who get less than 5 hours of sleep have a crash risk similar to driving over the legal limit for alcohol

Driving after only 4 to 5 hours of sleep increases your risk of causing a crash almost as much as driving with a BAC of 0.08%

Research shows that being awake for 18 hours produces impairment approximately equal to a BAC of 0.05%

Remaining awake for 24 hours causes the impairment to rise to that roughly equal to a BAC of 0.10%.

Stretching your day to make it last longer can be a big mistake. Fatigue can set in after a long day of work, an outing at the beach, or any other strenuous, tiring, or exciting activity

Drivers on long trips are at high risk of falling asleep. Some people attempt to drive longer stretches of the road than they should. Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has shown that a driver’s risk of causing a crash nearly triples after 3 hours of driving without a break

Circadian Rhythm

Circadian rhythm is the body's pattern of energy throughout a 24-hour period

It is responsible for alertness, energy, and the need for sleep

Most people experience "lows" from approximately midnight to 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Drivers are more likely to fall asleep during these times compared to other portions of the day

Late-night or early-morning shift workers are also more at risk

Working the night shift increases the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel nearly six times!

Rotating shift workers and people who work more than 60 hours a week need to be particularly careful

Preventing Drowsy Driving

Caffeine gives you energy!

False- caffeine sort of works the other way around—it prevents you from feeling more and more tired

What is the maximum number of cups of coffee that an adult should drink?

Most health experts agree between 4 and 5 cups per day, maximum. Consuming more than that can lead to negative side effects, such as nervousness, upset stomach, fast heartbeat, dizziness, convulsions, vomiting, and trouble sleeping

What time of day is it best to drink coffee?

Between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Drinking coffee earlier than that competes against your body’s natural morning cortisol boost. Your higher level of cortisol negates some of the effects of the caffeine and accelerates caffeine tolerance

How many days does it take to develop tolerance to coffee?

Whether someone is drinking a single cup of coffee or 3 mochachocofrappalottachinos a day, research indicates that tolerance develops between 7 and 12 days. Tolerance = needing more of a drug to achieve the same effect as with lower doses

Time of Day

A. 8am|100

B. 2pm|50

C. 8pm|25

D. 2am|12.5

Drivers should take a break every 100 miles or every 2 hours

Break for at least 10 minutes

Longer breaks can be even better