Learning
to Drive
A New Driver & Parent Participation
Guide
9/4/97
(Draft copy #4)
Chapter 1 - Getting Ready
Session 1
Introduction
How to Use the Guide
The purpose of this guide is to help
prepare young drivers for the road. New
drivers need lots of practice. Much of
this practice can be done with parents or other caring adults. This guide will help you plan for these
practices and provide tips on what to practice, where to practice, and how to
practice safely. Following the
suggestions and hints in the guide will help you and the new driver prepare for
a lifetime of safe driving.
It is important that both the adult giving
the practice and the new driver read this guide. The information is for both of you. Be sure to take this guide with you in the vehicle and refer to
it whenever you need to. Remember to
read or review each section that will be practiced before you hit the
road. It also is important to follow
the sessions in order. If the new
driver does well on a session, it can be done more quickly than others, but
every chapter should be covered in the practices. Remember, important information is presented in the earlier
sessions that is needed for the later sessions. Never be embarrassed to go back and reread a session. In fact, if the new driver starts having
problems in later sessions, it is a good idea to return to and practice the
early sessions again.
It All Starts With a Good Plan
Before starting, it's important to plan
your practice activities. Decide where
you want to go and what you want to do before setting out. Also, take some care in selecting the area
where to practice – the first time out is not the time to drive in rush-hour or
on a high speed expressway. Learn to
survive on the road by careful practice.
Plus, even if your new driver has been in a car millions of times and is
certain that they know everything, make sure to review past sessions and go
over any new information before starting out on each practice session. Don’t assume anything. Plan lots of practice time, but remember
this is still new for the learner. A
30-minute practice session is probably long enough, without being too long at
first. As the new driver learns,
practice sessions can be longer.
Remember, there's no substitute for practice.
One thing else, during the time when the
new driver is learning, it is important that the other drivers in the household
(everyone) practice good driving habits.
It’s important for the new driver to learn good habits from the start.
Good habits formed early last a long, long time. Its worth the effort folks.
Lastly, the term “car” will be used in
this guide. We apologize to all you
“non-car” drivers out there, however, the term includes vans, minivans,
pickups, sport utilities, and other vehicles used by families and individuals
for their own use.
Know The Rules of the House – Sign a
Parent/Teen Contract
Your first lesson is to make sure your new
driver-to-be knows exactly what's expected of them. Just as there are rules of the road, there are rules of the house
for the car. And one can't be learned
without the other. If getting your
teens attention is difficult, try swinging the car keys back and forth in front
of them – works every time. Now lets
talk about a contract.
A nice way of making sure everyone
understands the rules is to use a parent/new driver contract. No, you don’t need a lawyer, but it is
necessary to define the issues, and get the whole thing in writing. For your use, a sample contract can be found
the back of this guide – use it or make one up, whatever fits your needs. It is necessary, however, to talk about, and
agree on, the rules and responsibilities involved. Some points to keep in mind…
• Be
sure that you and your new driver understand that learning has
responsibilities.
• Drivers
can injure themselves and others, including passengers, pedestrians and
bicyclists. It pays to be safe.
• Agree
on conduct expected during the practice sessions – this means both the parent
and the new driver.
• Make
the ground rules clear at the beginning and stick to them during the practice.
• Develop rules for
using the car (when, where, who buys gas, etc.).
Ready To Go... Sort Of
As excited as a young driver will be to
drive past a friend's house right away, it's best to begin somewhere that
offers fewer distractions and is a safe place to start learning to drive. A large deserted parking lot is ideal. If a lot is not available, a quiet side
street will work just fine. Using these
type of areas enable your new driver to get a feel for the vehicle and how it
responds, without having to worry about traffic, pedestrians or road hazards.
It also will help you to become more comfortable with the idea of your
new driver behind the wheel of your car.
One of the first things to practice is the
coordination of hands and feet.
Although this sounds funny, the novice driver tends to forget the hands
while using the feet and the feet while using the hands. Remember, if your new driver is a
teenager, their bodies and minds are
still growing. Sometimes they are not
very coordinated. As someone once said,
they are a work still in progress.
Once the new driver is comfortable
starting, moving the car forward, controlling the speed and direction at the
same time, stopping, backing, and parking the car, practice can be moved to the
street or to a busier street. Don't
worry…it will be OK. By following the
steps outlined in this guide, your new driver will slowly learn to be a safer
driver.
Things to Remember
During each practice session, it is
important to follow the rules, be nice to each other... no yelling. Here are some other hints to use during your
shared time with your new driver.
• Speak
clearly and tell the driver precisely what to do. "Look out" is not always helpful. Make instructions simple and timely. Instructions should also be far enough in
advance so that your driver has plenty of time to think about it, prepare for
it, and then do it. This is going to
sound like a ton of things to do all at once to the new driver, so keep it
short, simple and clear. For example:
“At the next traffic light, turn right.” (Mention where first and then what.)
• Be
sure to leave enough time for a good practice session. Don't expect to cover everything in 10
minutes. There is no magic time period
for practice. You need enough time to
cover a topic or procedure, but it doesn’t take long for a new driver to get
tired or bored with the practice.
Around 30 minutes behind the wheel is a reasonable time. In the early sessions, remember to leave
enough time to get to where you are going
and for the practice. Later,
when the new driver is driving to the practice, this time can also be part of the
practice, even if only review.
• Don’t
hit the beginner with too much at once – One step at a time…after all, you've
had years to practice and what may seem easy to you is not easy to a learning
driver. There may be times when it
might be helpful for the new driver to talk about what they're doing as they
drive. For example, “The light is
turning yellow, I'm slowing down.” This helps the driver to relate what they
see with what they are going to do.
It's can help the new driver learn...kind of like teaching oneself.
• During
practice, try and keep the risk to danger low and move from easy driving to
harder. For example, start off in light
traffic and work toward heavy traffic,
from low speed roads to high speed ones.
This will be more helpful for your new driver, as well as for your blood
pressure.
• Be
ready to give timely help – Remember, share your experience; you're still
captain of the ship. It's OK to provide
cues as you go along, but don’t over do it.
For example, if the driver is entering a situation where they might have
to stop too fast, cue them: “Get off
the gas, begin to brake.” As soon as
the driver responds with the correct braking action, offer a positive response
such as, “That was a good! Nice and
smooth.”
• Stay
calm, don’t laugh at what may seem to be silly mistakes. The new driver will make lots of
mistakes. That’s one of the reasons
they need lots and lots of practice.
Your job is to make it a safe and rewarding practice. If you and your new driver have done your
homework and are prepared, it will be easier to do than you think and could even
be enjoyable for both of you.
• Be
positive – Always start out by giving
positive feedback rather than negative – we all react better to that. When you do have negative comments, write
them down and go over them later, if possible.
If it is a serious mistake, pull over and discuss it. Decide how to correct it. Remember, no yelling! You may need to go back to an easier
practice. It’s OK to do so.
• Feedback (the positive kind) should be
simple, relevant and provided as soon as is safe to do so. If you say, “Nice job of looking ahead and
slowing down for the red traffic light,” while sitting at the intersection
gives positive feedback, reinforces the action, which is how we learn.
• Stop
and discuss performance when necessary (bad or good) – There's no time like the
present. Find a safe place to pull over
and talk about it. –– This section seems to contradict the “Be positive” bullet point above.
• Relax
– the person next to you is probably more nervous than you are.
• Stay
calm. Be a defensive driver…not an
offensive driver.
• Don't
try to do too much too soon. It is
important to learn as you go and you have lots to learn.
• Don’t
be afraid to ask lots of questions.
Getting a Learner’s Permit…Step One of
Becoming Street Legal
Before your new driver can go out on the
road, they must have a Learner’s Permit.
For information about getting a Learner’s permit in your state, contact
your local Department of Motor Vehicles, or Department of Public Safety, or
whatever Agency in your state that issues driver licenses. Get a copy of your state’s Drivers
Manual. Most states require that the
new applicant pass a knowledge and vision test before the learner’s permit is
issued. The Manual will tell you what
is needed, how you go about getting the permit, and reading it will give you
the information you need to pass the knowledge test.
For your convenience, you'll find a Model
Driver Manual located at the end of this guide. The information in it may cover some of the same safety facts
that is in your state manual, but it also may cover more. Read it.
It may be review or new information.
Either way, it is useful information for the practice sessions. Make sure that you and the new driver read
both your local state manual and the Model Manual.
Tips to Remember
o Plan
your practice trip before you go
o Know
the rules
o Read
the your state’s driver manual, the Model Driver Manual, and your owner’s
manual
o Be
nice to each other
Session 2
Before You Drive
OK, here we go. There are several topics that need to be covered before the
driving starts. First, it is important
that both of you have read your state driver manual, the Model Driver Manual
that’s in the Appendix of this Guide,
and reviewed the owners manual for the car that will be used for
practice. If more than one car is used,
make sure that the owners manual for each is read.
Conduct a Vehicle Check
It's time to dig out that owner's manual
and read it. If you're like a lot of
people, this may be the first time you've ever actually read it yourself. There are a few things everyone needs to
keep in mind before driving.
• Pathway
- Check that the pathway under and around car is clear. If there are small children around, always
know where they are before you move the car.
Be sure to check to see if any of their toys are under or behind the
car.
• Tires
– A quick look to make sure all have air in them. However, you also need to check the tires with an air gauge every
couple of weeks. The correct air
pressure is on the side of the tires and is listed in the owner’s manual. When checking the air pressure, check to see
that the tires have good tread and are not damaged. The tires are all that is between your car and the road. Take care of them.
• Windows
& Mirrors – Make sure they're clean
and the mirrors (rear and side) are adjusted properly. The side mirror(s) should be set so you can
just see the side of the car. The rear
mirror so that you can easily see out the back window. Check the mirrors each time you get into the
car and adjust if needed before you drive off.
• Check
under the hood - Do this before a long trip and every couple of weeks. If you don’t want to check or don’t care
too, make sure someone does. The engine
and brake oil, coolant, and window washer levels should be checked to make sure
they are full. If fluids need to added,
follow the directions in the owners manual for what to use and where it
goes. With modern vehicles, one may not
need to add fluids. However, there is
one big exception - window washer fluid.
Especially in the winter, it is easy to use up the washer fluid. Make sure it is full. Use a washer fluid that will not
freeze. While under the hood, make sure
every thing generally looks OK (caps, belts OK).
• Fuel
cap and lid - Where it is and how it opens.
Your driver will not want to look stupid looking for it at the gas station. Remember to put the cap back and close the lid after putting gas
in the car. Make sure you use the type
of gas recommended in the owner’s manual.
• Spare
tire - Where it is and that it is ready to be used. You don’t have to know how to change a flat tire but if it needs
to be changed, you’ll need it. If it is
a standard tire, make sure it has air in it.
Check it when you check the other tires.
Lights and Signals
These are undoubtedly things a new driver
already know – especially since they've been sitting in the car for the past
couple of months when you weren’t home and imagining how great it's finally
going to be to drive. But, just to be
check each one. It helps to stand
outside the car and see what they look like (also to be sure that they are
working).
• Running/parking
lights – knob, button, switch…easy to turn on.
• Low/high
beams – click on/click off.
• Brake
lights – You must have someone outside the vehicle to check that they are
working.
• Turn
signals – push-up for the right side, pull-down for the left side, check that
they are working.
• Dash/interior
lights – how to turn on/off and up (brighter) and down (dimmer).
Safety (Seat) Belts
• Seat
belts only work if used, everyone needs to use them - driver and
passenger(s). Some states require that
they be used. Insist that your new
driver wear a seat belt. And if you
don't wear one, it's time to start.
This is the time for "do as I say, and as I do."
Gauges/Warning Lights
• Dashboard
gauges and warning lights – all cars have a speedometer and fuel gauge. Your car will have either a gauge for engine
temperature, oil pressure, and voltage, or warning lights. These and other warning lights will light-up
when you first turn on your engine. If
all is well, they will soon all go out.
If one doesn’t, something may be wrong.
Have it checked. You will have
high beam and turn signal indicators.
The car also may have a tachometer and trip meter. Know where each is located and how to read
them and know when something is wrong with the engine. If the engine doesn’t go, you don’t go.
Vehicle Controls
• Steering
wheel and steering column – Steering
wheel, that's the big round thing…don’t worry, they'll know. Most car horns are in the steering
wheel. Controls on the column include
the turn signal level, and others might be for the window wipers, cruise
control, steering wheel adjustment, hazard light, and headlights. On some cars these controls are on the
dash. Some cars have the transmission
level on the column. For others it will
be elsewhere, usually extending from the floor. Learn your car’s controls, what they do and how they work before
you drive.
• Transmission
- The gear selector control will be either on the steering column or on the
floor (automatic or manual). You have
to shift it (manual) or it does it by itself (automatic). More on this later.
• Accelerator
(gas pedal) – Used to control the car’s speed.
May also be used to start the engine (see owners manual)
• Brake
(pedal) – Used to stop the car. If the
car has antilock brakes (ABS), you will need to teach your new driver how they
work. More on this later.
• Parking
Brake – Used to hold the car when
parked. The control will be between the
front seats (lever - release usually a button on the lever) or on the floor
under the dash (pedal - release usually a handle under the dash). Practice engaging and releasing the parking
brakes. Get into the habit of using
them every time you park the car.
• Clutch
(if present) – Used to change gears in a car that has a manual
transmission. More on this later.
• Heating/cooling
– Used to control the temperature inside the car. Controls are usually on the dash. See owners manual for operation. You know that rule that the
driver controls the temperature? You
may want to rethink that.
• Cruise
control (if present) – Used to hold a steady speed while traveling. Some will only work above a certain speed. Tapping the brake will disengage it. See the owners manual for how to turn on,
operate, and turn off.
• Entertainment
(radio, tapes, CD) – Your young driver probably knows more about this than you
do. Best not to have on during the
practice sessions. Each of you needs to
work on the practice so it can be safe and useful.
Find a proper driving position – getting
comfy behind wheel
Before each practice session, the new
driver needs to find a comfortable driving position behind the wheel. It is important to be seated correctly so as
to be able to see (including using the mirrors) out of the car, and to be able
to steer and use the brake and gas pedal easily. A position that has the young driver all squeezed together so
that the knees are under the chin or that has the arms and legs stretched out
fully is not it. Both hands need to be
on the steering wheel with the arms slightly bent, and the legs positioned so
the feet just reach the firewall. Let
the new driver try different seating positions until they find the right
combination.
SUBHEAD:
Tips to Remember
• Make
sure car is ready to go
• Use
safety belts
• Adjust
mirrors
Session 3
Mirrors Are Your Friends - Use Them
It may seem odd that you might actually
have to teach a teen about using mirrors, but in this case it’s true. Novice drivers must learn to use the mirrors
to see what is behind and to the sides of the car. This must be done frequently, but one cannot lose sight of what
going on in front of the car either.
It's a hard habit to develop.
Remember, watching what's happening in front, behind and beside you all
at the same time seems like a lot to do.
The following are times when a driver has to pay closer attention to
other traffic.
Changing Traffic - Do mirror checks whenever you see a
change in traffic or conditions in front of you. This often will require a driving change by you, in which case
you need to know what traffic to the sides and rear are doing. In heavy traffic, things are happening all
the time, which means checking the
mirrors all the time.
Stopping - Any time you are going to slow down or
stop, check behind you. When stopping,
continue to check as you slow down.
Even after stopping, continue to check the rear so you know what’s
behind you. Remember, before the foot
goes to the brake pedal, the eyes should go to the rearview mirror.
Lane changes - Check the mirrors before changing lanes,
while you are changing, and just after you have changed lanes. Also check the mirrors before making turns
and then again just after making a turn.
Knowing what traffic is doing around you helps you to better control the
space around your car so you can determine the best driving action needed.
Blind spots - Don't trust that the mirrors see
everything - they don’t. All cars have
an area to the rear and both sides that the mirrors cannot see. These areas are called “blind spots.” The larger the vehicle, the larger the blind
spots. For example, semis have very
large blind spots. So large, your
entire car can be in it and the truck driver does not know you are there. That is one reason you do not want to drive
next to a truck, or any other vehicle for that matter.
Here is one way of learning about these
blind spots. With the car parked, have
someone walk around in different areas to the rear and behind the car while you
are in the driver’s seat. Watch the
person with the mirrors and you will see them move into and then out of the
blind spots. Now, switch places. This way you can see the areas, from outside
the car, where the driver can’t see you.
Remember, always drive through or drop back; never stay in another
vehicles blind spot.
Because of these blind spots, you must do
a “head check” before changing lanes.
This requires a turning of the head to glance to the sides to see if
other traffic is in your blind spot. It
means checking the blind spot before pulling into traffic from the curb or when
merging into traffic from an entrance ramp.
A head check involves making a quick check over the shoulder, in the
direction of the lane you want to move into.
Thanks to convex mirrors, the
phrase "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" is now pretty
common. If you see a car in the convex
mirror, that car may be much closer to you than it looks because of the way the
mirror is designed. These mirrors help
see into part of the blind spot, but cannot see all of it. You still need to make a head check when
changing lanes.
Don’t forget to clean your mirrors when
you clean your windows. It’s one of
those good habits to get into.
SUBHEAD:
Tips to Remember
• Use
your mirrors
• When
looking in a mirror, only glance.
Glance again if needed.
• Don’t
forget to check the blind spot when changing lanes or turning
• A
head check is a just a quick glance over your shoulder, check again if needed
Session 4
How Does This Thing Go?
A Vacant Parking Lot Is Good
Well, it's finally time to start actual
driving. Once you and your new driver
are in a big, open and vacant parking lot or quiet street, park the car and
turn off the engine. One of the most
difficult parts for the parent during these practices is to be patient and not
to assume that the new driver knows everything already. Try to see things through your teenager's
eyes.
Have the new driver get behind the wheel,
get comfortable, adjust the mirrors and then start the car by following the
directions in the owner’s manual. Then,
be sure that they know where all the controls, switches, and gauges are and
that everything is working. Now is a good time to learn about shifting gears.
Shifting Gears
If your car has an automatic transmission,
read over the section, but there is nothing for you to practice at this
time. If you have a manual transmission
(a “stick shift”) vehicle that you can use, it is useful to be able to drive
one. If you can drive a manual you can
always drive a car with an automatic transmission. But if you only learn to drive with an automatic you will not be
able to drive a car with a manual transmission. Also, manual transmissions are
just a lot more cool to drive.
Manual Shift
Vehicles with manual shift will have a
clutch and a gearshift lever. The
gearshift lever will be on the floor or on the steering column. The clutch pedal is on the left of the brake
pedal. The clutch pedal must be
pushed-in completely (to the floor) to start the engine, to shift gears, and
when the vehicle comes to a full stop.
Before you try to drive forward, it is
helpful to practice shifting into each gear a few times. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground and
the parking brake is on. You may have
to turn the key on to shift gears, but do not start the engine. Push the clutch pedal to the floor, then
shift into first. Then, simply follow the pattern inscribed on the gear shift
knob. Practice shifting into each gear several times so that you can do it
without looking at your hand.
Once you have a feel for shifting, depress
the clutch and start the engine.
Practice starting the vehicle on level ground first. While keeping the clutch depressed, shift
into first and release the parking brake.
Rest your right foot on the gas pedal, keeping the engine at idling
speed. Raise the clutch pedal slowly
until you feel the car move forward. At
this point press down on the gas pedal slowly.
You will hear the engine go faster and the car will start to move
forward. If the car starts bucking, you
are not giving it enough gas. Let the
clutch all the way out. Continue to
press on the gas pedal to go forward.
Once you are moving 5-10 mph, push in the clutch, take your foot off the
gas, and brake to a smooth stop.
Repeat this several times until it can be done
smoothly. In fact, many new drivers
need to practice moving the car forward for several practice sessions. Don’t fret!
This is the hardest part of driving a stick shift. It’s very important
to be able to start moving the car smoothly.
Practice starting, moving the car forward and shifting as much as is
needed.
Once the new driver is comfortable
starting and moving forward while on level ground, have them practice on a
slight hill (if available). They need
to practice with the car facing up-hill and down-hill. With the car facing up-hill, you will need
to use the parking brake to aid you in starting off smoothly. Otherwise, the car will roll backwards when
you release the parking brake. You need
to release the parking brake slowly while releasing the clutch and slowly
stepping on the gas. With the car going
down-hill, you will need only to keep you foot on the brake and release it as
you are releasing the clutch, then slowly step on the gas. As before, practice this until it can be
done easily and smoothly.
If the parking lot is large enough, you
also can practice shifting gears. If
not, find a quiet street (wide, little traffic, few or no parked cars) to
practice moving the car forward. When
comfortable, start off and accelerate to the speed recommended in the owner’s
manual for changing gears. When near
that speed, depress the clutch, let up on the accelerator, then shift to second
gear. Raise the clutch smoothly and
apply pressure to the accelerator as you did when first starting to move the
car. To shift to higher gears, follow
the same procedure. Stop when safe to
do so, and repeat shifting practice.
As you practice, listen to the sound of
the engine just before you shift. Soon
you will be able to “hear” when to shift.
Do glance at the speedometer as often as needed. Remember to check the owner’s manual for the
recommended shift speeds for the vehicle.
After you can shift without causing the
car to buck, you can now learn to downshift.
Downshifting can be used to help slow the car and is needed when driving
on steep roads. Before you downshift,
make sure the car is not going too fast for the gear you will be shifting
into. Check the owners manual for these
speeds.
To downshift, take your foot off the gas
pedal, depress the clutch, and move the gear shift to the new gear. Ease up on the clutch smoothly. If you intend to continue slowing, use the
brake and then downshift as needed until you stop. If you downshift to slow down for a turn or because the car slows
going up a hill and you need a lower gear to continue, then press on the gas
pedal gently after downshifting.
You should downshift before turning
corners, before going up or down steep hills, and whenever the car needs more
power than stepping on the gas can give it.
Be careful when downshifting not to over-rev the engine.
When stopping a car with a manual
transmission, make sure to depress the clutch as you slow to a stop. If possible, downshift to a lower gear
before you must come to a stop. This is
also useful if you are in traffic that is slowing and you need accelerate, you
can do so easily. Once you have
stopped, make sure you keep your foot on the brake pedal until you move again.
If you are stopped for an extended period,
take the car out of gear and put it into neutral. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake and remember to put the
car back into gear just before you need to move forward again.
Automatic shift
Driving a vehicle with an automatic shift
is a lot easier than having to shift gears.
With an automatic transmission, the gears are shifted for you. The gear shift lever can be on the steering
column or on the floor. If the shift
lever is on the steering column, place your foot on the brake and move the gear
indicator from “P” to “D.” If the
gearshift is on the floor, place your foot on the brake and then shift from
“Park” to “Drive.” With your foot still
on the brake, release the parking brake.
Before taking your foot off the brake, make sure your path forward is clear.
SUBHEAD:
Tips to Remember
• When
parked, always use the parking brake
• Practice
"smooth" starting.
• Practice
“smooth” shifting.
• Always
put the gear level into park or leave in first gear when parking.
• Always
push in the clutch just before stopping.
• Be
sure to depress the brake pedal before
putting an automatic transmission in gear.
Session 5
Braking: Who’s in Control?
Cars have powerful engines to move them
along. All that the car has to stop it,
is its brakes. It is very important to
learn how to safely slow down or stop the car under different speeds and
roadway conditions (for example, on a gravel road, or on a wet road). In this session, the new driver will practice
how to stop safely. Once again, this
practice should be in a parking lot, the larger the better, or on a quiet
street.
When the car is moving and you step on the
brake, you can feel the car start to slow down. The harder you step on the brake, the faster you slow down, but
this is true only up to a point. You
can cause your tires to slide if you brake too hard. If your tires are sliding, you are not slowing down anymore and
you are not in control of your car - not a good situation. If your car has an Antilock Braking System
(ABS), this system will not let the tires slide if you brake too hard (more
later on using ABS).
Always brake with the right foot. This is needed on cars that have a manual
shift and is just a good habit to get into.
Even if you are learning to drive in a vehicle that has an automatic
shift, learn to brake with the right foot.
Using the right foot for braking will also help prevent the error of
applying both the brake and accelerator under certain conditions. When braking, use the ball of the foot (that
part of the foot between the toes and the arch) on the brake pedal. Also, you can stop more smoothly, if you let
up a little on the brake just before the car comes to a full stop.
Control Braking
The key to smooth and safe braking is control. You, as the driver can be in control of your
brakes if you learn to use them properly.
But as for most things, to be in control takes lot of braking practice. With practice, you can start to have a feel
for the brakes and how they are working, and most important, how well they are
stopping the car.
Practice stopping the car from different
speeds. Keep the speeds fairly low
(under 30 mpg). Stop several times at
about 5 mile increments (5, 10, 15, etc.).
Each time you stop, try and stop the car smoothly. Remember to use the ball of your foot on the
brake pedal. Repeat the practice
several times.
Next, pick a spot where to stop - a line,
crack, something that can be easily seen from the car. Pick a spot that has lots of room before and
beyond it. Now, practice stopping at
different speeds as before, only you must stop at the stop line. Practice at each speed until you can stop
with the front of the car being within two feet of the line without the front
of the car going over the line. Get out
of the car and check how close you are after each stop. This way you can start to get a feel for how
close the front of the car is to the line.
Remember, when you leave the car, put the transmission in neutral or
park, and set the parking brake before you get out of the car.
An aid to use that helps some is to put an
empty cardboard box on the line. It’s
easier to see and easier to see how close you are after you have stopped. Continue to practice braking until you can
stop (the first time) within 2 feet of the line 8 out of 10 times and not go
over the line 10 out of 10 times.
Hard Smooth Stops.
For hard stops, press on the brake as hard as you can or until the tires
start to slid. Always let up on the
brake if the tires start to slide and then press once again, but not quite as
hard as before.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) braking.
If your car has an ABS (see owner manual), the tires will not
slide. So you can press as hard as you
can on the pedal. You may feel the
pedal kick the bottom of your foot or the pedal may feel like it is moving up
and down. Either way, keep your foot
hard on the brake. It's supposed to do
that. Do not pump the brakes. If you must brake hard, step on the brake as
hard as you can and keep pressing on the pedal until you stop.
Wet Conditions.
The new driver needs to practice braking under wet conditions. This can be done during a rain or shortly
after when the roads and parking lots are still wet. Wet conditions can cause two changes in braking. First, the brakes can get wet. When they do, they do not work as well, so
it takes much longer to stop. Second,
the roadway can be slippery. Under this
condition, it also takes longer to stop.
This is why it is important to practice braking when its wet but under
safe conditions. First, just practice
braking to a stop from different speeds - keep the speed under 30 mph. Next, practice stopping at a stop line when
it is wet. Practice stopping from
different speeds.
If possible, try stopping after passing
through a large puddle. If the brakes
get wet you will notice the difference.
If the brakes are wet, they must dry before they will work again. One way to dry-out the brakes is to push
down slightly on the brake pedal and let the car keep running forward. Another way is to rapidly push down and then
let up on the pedal. Always check to
see if the brakes are working after passing through deep puddles, or running or
standing water. After a heavy rain,
gutters are often full and run into the street, or you must cross water at in
now flowing at intersections. It is
easy to get the brakes wet. Remember,
they don’t work very well when they are wet.
Dry then out before next time you have to stop.
NOTE: If at any time
during the braking practice the car starts to slide, stop braking, let up on
the pedal and then brake again. You
will know the car is sliding if you hear the tires squealing or you turn the
steering wheel slightly and nothings happens.
You may also be able to feel it slid.
Remember, if the tires are sliding, you are not in control anymore. You want to get back in control as quickly
as possible.
Session 6
Review Time
It is time to review the past sessions and
what the new driver has been practicing.
Review with them the following.
If they need to, redo the Session once again. Don’t feel bad about having to do so. There is a lot to learn and it takes time.
o First,
review the “Things to Remember” in Session 1.
It is these rules and considerations that will make or break the two of
you being together in these practice sessions.
o Vehicle
readiness (windows/mirror clean, path around car is clear, tires have air,
fluids are full , car has fuel)
o Procedures
for preparing to drive (adjusting seat, seat belt, mirrors)
o Procedures
for starting the engine (car in park or clutch in, parking brake set)
o Procedures
for moving the car forward smoothly
o Procedures
for stopping the car smoothly and stopping where you want (stop line)
o Repeat
any of these as needed. Remember, it takes
time and practice to a good driver.
Session 7
Believe it or Not - Good Parking Can Lead
To Good Driving
Before we go out into traffic to practice
our driving, we are going to learn how to park the car for different types of
situations. It is important to learn to
park before we go into traffic, because parking requires that you to have to
back-up and we have not practiced that yet.
Also, parking, (especially parallel parking) requires you to use skills that
will be necessary once you do go out into traffic.
It is helpful to first practice with no
cars next to the parking space. When
comfortable, practice parking next to one other car and finally between two of
them. Always go slow and be careful not
to hit anything. It’s very important
not to hit anything. People tend to
yell when their car gets hit or scratched.
Before we practice parking, we need to
practice backing up. It is best to
practice backing in a large parking lot.
Do not practice backing on the street.
It is illegal and could be very dangerous. A parking lot that has clearly marked parking spaces also would
be helpful as the parking spaces can be used when practicing parking.
Practice backing up in a straight line for
a short distance first and then for longer ones. When backing, you must turnaround and look out the rear
window. The easiest way to do this is
to put your right arm over the seat or to grab the back of the passenger seat
if you have bucket seats. Put your left
hand on top of the steering wheel.
After you are comfortable with backing in
a straight line, practice backing and turning.
If there are empty spaces in the parking lot. Pick one to back into.
One way to practice this is to drive by the space, stop, and then back
and turn into the space. Remember to
turn the steering wheel (hand on top of the wheel) in the direction you want
the car to go. If you want the rear of
the car to turn toward the passenger side, turn the steering wheel toward the
passenger side. If you want the rear of
the car to turn toward the driver’s side, turn the steering wheel toward your
side of the car.
Angle Parking
First, practice parking in a space where
there are no cars on either side. Next, park in a space with a car on one side;
then practice parking in a space with cars parked on both sides.
Moving into the space.
Once you have found a space, turn on your turn signal to let others
around you know what you're going to do.
Pull up until you can see into the space. Turn the steering wheel and move into the space without the front
or sides of the car crossing over the parking line on either side of your
space. Continue to move forward until
the front of the car is even with the back of the parking space or until the
tires hit the curb. The best position
is to center your car in the space.
Make sure you get out of the car and look to see how well you did after
each parking attempt. Make sure you put
the gear lever in park or in neutral and the parking brake is on before you get
out of the car. It sometimes is helpful
to watch someone else park, so you can see what the car is doing while being
parked. Make sure you stand in a safe
position away from the car.
When there is a car parked on the driver’s
side, be careful that your front bumper does not hit it. When there is a car parked on the
passenger’s side, you must watch that you do not hit it with the passenger side
of your car.
Backing Out of The Space.
You back out of the space just as you entered it. However, it’s much more difficult because you are backing into traffic. You must back slowly to be sure that it is
safe and that any oncoming traffic sees you.
Remember that oncoming traffic has the right of way and you must let
them pass before you back up. Also, if
you are in a mall or shopping center parking lot, remember to make sure there
are no pedestrians crossing behind you.
Back out very slowly and be prepared to
stop at any time. Back straight out
until the back of the car parked on the driver’s side is between your front
tires and the front of your car, then turn the wheel. If there is no car on the drivers side but one on the passenger
side, back until the rear of the car on the passenger’s side is about even with
you, then you can turn the wheel. Make
sure you do not hit either car.
Remember you must turn around and look out
the back and side windows of your car.
Try to look through the car next to you to see if there is oncoming
traffic. If you cannot, you must back
very slowly until you can see that the way is clear. Once you have backed out of the space and are in the traffic
lane, stop, shift to a forward gear and drive off.
Practice angle parking until you are
comfortable with parking and have not hit anything.
90 Degree Parking Space
This type of parking space is common in
shopping centers, but also could be found on streets. The way you park in this
type of space is like angle parking, but because you must turn your car more
sharply to get in or out of the space, it is a little more difficult.
Moving Into The Space.
Remember, always go slow when parking.
In some cases, you will not be able to turn into the space on your first
turn. A easy way to park in these
spaces is to assume that you cannot turn into the space with one turn. Turn so that the driver half of your car is
headed into the space next to the one you want to turn into. Stop before you hit anything, back up about
half a car length and then pull into the space. Remember to use your turn signal before slowing and turning, and
to be careful not to hit the cars parked on either side of you.
Backing Out of The Space.
Check for vehicle and pedestrian traffic in all directions. Move slowly back until the back bumpers of
the vehicles parked next to you are between your front tires and the front of
your car. Slowly turn the steering
wheel, watching for traffic to the rear and coming from both directions. Check frequently to make sure that your
front bumper does not strike anything.
Often, you will need to stop, pull up, and then continue to back into
your lane, or, if it is safe to do so, continue to back into the second lane or
until you can turn and move forward safely without hitting anything. Remember to check for traffic in all
directions and be especially careful of people walking behind you.
Parallel Parking – It's Easier Than You
Think
Many people fear having to parallel park
and go out of their way just so they don’t have to. It is the most difficult parking, but can be done without too much
trouble. It's somewhat like a lane
change in reverse – only a lot slower and in a shorter space. The key is going slowly and using reference
points to guide your backing into the parking space.
If possible, find a wide street that has
parallel parking, and try and find a parked car with at least two empty spaces
to the rear (or at least one large one).
Practice parallel parking under these conditions before trying to park
between two cars or on a busy street.
Finally, move to an area that has more traffic.
Moving Into The Space.
Signal that you're stopping to park by tapping the brake pedal and
turning on your turn signal. If a car
is following you, stop next to the space and let them go around. If they stop, you can now pull up and you
will then have enough room to back into the parking space.
Move forward, until you car is next to the
vehicle which is parked in front of the empty space, leaving two to three feet
of space between the two cars and stopping when your front door (passenger
side) is next to the driver front door on the parked car. Keep your foot on the brake, shift into
reverse, check traffic and when safe, start backing very slowly straight
back. Keep backing straight until your
front door (passenger side) is next to the rear tire of the parked car. Now turn the wheel sharply toward the curb
(remember, hand on top of the wheel) and continue to back up until you can just
see the rear of the parked car. At this
time, turn the wheel back (toward the street) until you are backing in a
straight line into the parking space.
Continue to back until your front wheels are about even with the rear of
the parked car. Now turn the steering
wheel sharply away from the curb and continue to slowly back up until your car
is in the space or your rear tires hit the curb. Make sure you stop before you hit the car that is parked to the
rear of your space. If needed pull-up
and then back up until you are centered in the space and your car is no more
than about 18 inches from the curb.
If you get mixed-up or get into the space
in such a manner you can not park, then pull out and start again. With a little practice it will slowly become
easier. Remember to go slow and don’t
hit anything.
Leaving The Space.
This is the easy part. If you
are in correctly, all you need to do is to back up and then pull out of the
space. Back as near as possible to the
car parked behind you without hitting it.
If you can see the rear tires of the car parked in front of you, you
should be able to pull out in one move.
If not, you will need to stop before hitting the car parked in front,
turn the steering wheel sharply the other direction, back up and then go
forward again. Before pulling into
traffic, signal, check your rear and side view mirrors, glance over your
shoulder and when safe, pull into traffic.
Chapter 2
Life on the Streets - Driving Under 45 mph
Session 7
Learning to Crawl
Learning to drive is a little like
learning to walk. You must crawl before
you walk, and walk before you can run.
Cars are large, heavy machines that can hurt you and others if not used
safely. It is for this reason that this
guide was developed and why the various practice sessions are done in the order
they are presented. The purpose of this
practice is to learn to control the car and drive smoothly and safely.
The sessions so far have practiced basic
vehicle handling skills, but out of traffic.
It is now time to hit the road, so to speak and start to practice
driving in traffic.
Before getting out in traffic, be sure to
review your state driver manual and the model driver manual in the
Appendix. Review these for traffic
laws, rules of the road, especially traffic signs, signals, roadway markings,
the concepts of "right-of-way" versus "weight-of-way," and
the procedures for turning and merging.
Lastly, make sure that the new driver is comfortable with going into
traffic.
Remember, even with driving in traffic,
take it a step at a time. If the new
driver gets tired, stop the session. It
is hard enough to learn all that needs to be known about being a safe driver
without dealing with other problems at this time.
Even a quiet, residential street can be a
dangerous place to drive. Kids playing,
cars rolling through stop signs, cars parked along the road, and cars backing out of driveways are just
some of the common problems. Care and
caution are always in order and driving at the speed limit is needed. You need to scan ahead and to the sides and
be prepared to stop if needed. Driving
around in neighborhoods can be a good way to practice many driving skills -
steering, scanning including mirror use, and stopping and starting. As with the parking lot practice, practice
each session until you are comfortable with it.
Plan Where You’re Going
OK. So, where are you
going? Remember, you are to plan each
practice before you hit the road. As captain of the ship it's up to you to
choose the route before you even get in the car. Plan so you have at least 30 minutes of practice time on the
session you are working on. As soon as
possible, have the beginner drive to and from your practice routes. Even with later practices in harder traffic
areas, the more your new driver can drive, the better.
Start off each practice simple and
safe. Begin in low traffic volume with
no complicated intersections. Remember,
for now, keep the practice to roadways with a speed limit of 45 mph or
less. It is OK to cross higher speed
roads, as long as it is done at a traffic light.
Keeping a Cushion of Safety
Good drivers like to keep a cushion of
safety around their cars. This is no
more than an area that you keep free of other roadway uses, including cars,
trucks, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
This cushion of safety works with how you drive, how well you tell
others what you are planning on doing, and how you prepare for what others
might do. Unlike bumper cars where the
objective is to hit someone, the object of driving safely is not to hit or be
hit by anyone. This is your cushion of
safety. One goal of this practice
session is to learn better speed control, lane position, and good communication,
all of which will help a driver maintain a cushion of safety.
Scanning
To know what others are doing around you,
you must know that they are there and what they are going to do. It is a lot easier to know someone is there
than to be sure about what they might do.
This is one of the reasons you want to keep a cushion of safety around
you, because you do not know what others might do.
To know what is going on, means you have
to look around you, including using the mirrors. Looking ahead, you should try and look about 8 - 12 seconds ahead
of the car. What does this mean? It means that you are looking down the road
to where your car will be in 8 - 12 seconds if you keep moving about the same
speed. By looking down the road this
distance, it allows you time to plan and, if needed, to take action. This is smart and safe driving.
To know how far 8 - 12 seconds means in
distance, you will need to count. One
way is to pick out a car ahead of you.
When that car passes something that you can easily see, like a sign
post, start counting.... one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand
three, etc. until your car reaches the sign post. If you get there before you count one thousand eight, you need to
look further down the road. Keep
practicing this, and after a while, you will slowly get a feel for about how
far down the road you need to look.
Don’t forget that you also must look to
the sides and to the rear of your car to see what is going on behind you. While practicing scanning, make a point of
looking ahead and then every few seconds look to the rear. Only look at the rear view mirror for a
second and then look ahead again. If there
is something you need to watch or look at more closely behind you, do so by
glancing back and forth (forward, backwards).
You can look at the mirror as often as you like, but you must continue
to look forward and to the sides in between times. Remember, only look in the mirror for a glance before looking
back down the road. Also remember, what
is in front of you will generally cause more problems than what is behind
you. Never take your eyes off the view
in front for more than a second.
Practice keeping a cushion of safety
around your car during the trip.
Practice looking 8-12 seconds ahead by picking an object and then
counting until you reach it. Pick an
object and say how far it is - 10 seconds, and then count to see if you were
close. It is important to be
comfortable with your cushion of safety and to know how to scan the road ahead.
Session 8
Ready, Set, Go! Sort of
The first few seconds after a traffic
light changes to green is a very dangerous time period. This is the time when
cars trying to push the red light will be crossing in front of your car. If you are first in line at the light, pause
just a couple of seconds before starting.
Make sure to look in both directions before moving into the
intersection. Look left first and then
right. Left first because cars coming
in that direction will cross in front of you first. Besides being closest to you, these cars also are those who might
be the last to clear the intersection from that direction. Even if you are not first in line, when the
car in front of you begins to move, pause a moment before moving. If the lead car has to stop, you can stop
before you are in their trunk.
The Four-Second Rule
When moving along in traffic, it is most
important to follow the car in front of you at a safe distance. A safe distance is that distance needed by
you to stop should the car you are following suddenly jam on their brakes. It’s hard to determine just how far behind
you should follow. Yes, another rule has been developed that makes it easy to
know this distance. It is called the
“four-second rule.” Following this rule
will give you at least four seconds of following distance behind another
car. It allows you to be in control of
your car and have control over any "surprises" from the car you are
following. In the safe driving game,
the fewer surprises the better.
There is an easy way to tell if you are
within a four-second following distance.
• Watch
for when the rear of the car in front of you passes a sign, pole or some other
easily seen point.
• Count
the seconds it takes you to reach the same spot - “one-thousand-one,
one-thousand- two, one-thousand-three, one-thousand-four." Does this sound familiar? It should be. It is the same procedure you used to see how far forward you
needed to scan.
• You
are following too closely if you pass the mark before you count to one-thousand
four.
• If
so, drop back and then count again at another spot to check the new following
distance.
Repeat until you are following no closer
than "four seconds."
Another part of following, is that when
you stop behind another car, stop where
you can see the rear tires of that car.
If you can see the rear tires, you will have enough room to pull around
the car if needed. It also allows you a
smoother start and easier delay as covered above.
Better Braking
We practiced braking in the parking lot
and have been braking during the previous sessions. However, braking is such an important action in driving, it
cannot be practiced enough. The key to
good braking is learning to have a feel for how the car is stopping. With an ABS, it’s also knowing how to work
them so the ABS can work properly to help you be a better driver.
Better braking is making sure that when
you brake, the ball of your foot is in the center of the brake pedal. It's keeping the foot on the brake peddle
and using a good steady pressure while braking. It’s gently letting-up on the brake just before you stop to allow
the car to come to a smooth stop.
Most importantly, it’s driving so you only
have to brake at red lights, stop signs, and when you want to stop. This can be called defensive driving and
will be dealt with later in the Guide.
SUBHEAD:
Tips to Remember
• Remember,
don't try to do too much too soon.
• Practice
scanning techniques, looking 12 seconds ahead.
• Delay
your starts – pause a moment after the car in front of you takes off.
• Maintain
a four-second following distance.
• When
stopped, keep the tires of the car in front of you in sight
• Practice
better braking techniques.
Session 9
Communicating With Other Road Users
There are two rules to follow: 1) Avoid
surprises by telling others what you intend to do, and 2) Be civil when you
communicate. It is most important to
tell others what you are about to do on the road. Traffic moves along because drivers know what others are doing or
are going to do. Whenever you change
direction, slow or stop, you need to tell others. By signaling a turn before you start to turn, or by signaling
that you are stopping before you actually start to slow down, gives others time
to react to you safely. This allows
them time to change their direction or speed.
The use of the hands to communicate is
common. This also is true during
driving. For example, you may always
signal that you are about to turn or stop by using the appropriate hand
signal. This signals are covered in
your driver manual.
There are, however, many hand signals that
are not a good idea to use while driving.
Some of these are rude at best, and could cause you trouble from an
angry driver. Angry drivers are out of
control. You cannot be a safe driver
and be out of control. This type of
communication does not belong on the road.
Polite gestures of the head or hands are always welcome. For example, if someone lets you pull into
the roadway from a side road or while parked, give them a small wave. This says thank you.
Then there's the horn. The purpose of the
horn is to make others aware of your presence – not vent your anger. Use it to help to establish eye contact with
other drivers and with pedestrians if needed.
Tap it. Don’t sit on it.
Right-of-way Rules
One aspect of driving that gives many
drivers problems is how to deal with right-of-way. Right-of-way is a procedure that allows drivers to know what to
do under situations where there are no other guides (like a traffic
light). Right-of-way is covered in your
driver manual and the Model Driver Manual, but because it gives fits to
drivers, we will review parts of it.
Right-of-way rules set procedures for who
(which driver) can continue, who has to stop or yield, and who goes first. All vehicles on major roads have the
right-of-way over cars entering the roadway from side roads or drive ways. The driver entering the roadway must yield
to vehicles on the major road. Often
the cross street or driveway will have stop or yield sign. But if it is an alley or a private drive, it
may not have a sign. You still must
yield to other cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians crossing your path
on the major roadway.
Other right-of-way situations involve
intersections with 4-way stops or no stop signs at all. At a 4-way stop, the car who stops first
should go first. If two cars arrive at
the same time, then the car on the right should go first. If you get there at the same time and there
is a car on your left, you go first. If
there is a car on your right, you let them go first. Make sure you read your driver manual, and review it as
needed. It’s easy to forget things and
these things could allow one to become an unsafe driver.
Residential Intersections
Intersections within a residential area
are mostly uncontrolled (no traffic lights or stop signs), but can have lots of
traffic using the street, especially at certain times. We will cover each type of
intersection.
No Traffic Controls.
As you approach an intersection that has no traffic light or stop or
yield sign, slow down and be aware of the possibility of crossing traffic. This is especially true for intersections
where the crossing traffic also does not have any controls. If the intersection is blind (you cannot see
down either street far enough to be able to stop if someone is coming) you need
to slow enough to be able to stop if needed.
Remember, even if you have the right-of-way, it doesn’t stop someone
from running into you. You must always
be alert when you drive and be prepared for the worst.
Stop Signs.
As you approach an intersection that has a stop sign in the direction
you are traveling, prepare to stop. Do
not wait until the last minute and then slam on the brakes. Slow as you approach and then use steady,
smooth braking to stop the car. If the
intersection has a stop line or a marked pedestrian crossing, you must stop
before you reach them. When you
approach a stop line or a pedestrian cross walk, stop when the beginning of the
cross walk first disappears behind the hood.
This will keep your front bumper in back of the walk.
A complete stop at the stop line is a
legal stop. A rolling stop, an
almost-stop and a pretty-darn-close-to stop are not legal and could result in a
ticket.
After you have stopped, and you cannot
clearly see to the right or left, inch your vehicle slowly forward until you
can easily see in both directions. Even
if crossing traffic has stop signs, do not assume that cars will stop. Check for traffic in both directions before
entering the intersection. While
stopped and during the time you inch forward and then move-out, scan to the
left, to the right, to the front, and to the rear. Look left and right at least two times. It is easy to miss something with the first glance. Remember, you are looking for other
vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians that will be crossing your
path. Make sure your path is clear in
the direction you are going before you cross the intersection.
Turning Right.
Before turning right, make sure there is no traffic approaching from
your left and no oncoming traffic turning left into your path. Do not begin your turn without checking for
pedestrians crossing where you will be turning.
Turning Left.
Before you turn left across oncoming traffic, you must be sure that you
have a safe gap in traffic. A safe gap
is a space that allows you to turn smoothly and safely before an oncoming car
gets to you. You must also look where
you are turning to make sure that no other cars or pedestrians are in your
path. You do not want to have to stop
in front of oncoming traffic.
Do not turn until you can safely cross and
continue forward after you turn.
SUBHEAD:
Tips to Remember
• Avoid
rude hand signals.
• Be
civil.
• Short
taps on the horn only.
• At
a stop sign - come to a stop when you see the stop line just disappear under
the front of your hood.
• Come
to a complete stop at stop signs.
• Yield
right-of-way to other traffic.
• If
you don't have a clear view, inch your vehicle forward until you can see clearly.
• Look
left, right, and to the front and rear before moving forward.
• Don’t
forget to look for pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles.
CHAPTER 3
Moving Right Along
Session 10
One of the more difficult and dangerous
parts of driving is changing lanes. You
will need to change lanes when driving on a multi-lane road. Remember, it is best to stay in the right
lane unless passing or preparing to turn left.
When you change lanes, you must be sure
the lane is clear of other traffic and that you do not turn in front of, or
into, traffic that is passing you. This
includes turning into “turning lanes.”
Turning lanes are just that, lanes where you can turn without blocking
moving traffic.
Here are some steps that will help you
make safe lane changes. First, only
change lanes if you must. If you need
to change lanes, signal your intentions.
Check that the way is clear (including checking the blind spots). Move into new lane. Cancel turn signals.
It is best to first practice changing
lanes when there is no traffic around.
Then practice on low speed roads with little traffic and then with more
heavy traffic. Don’t rush! Many crashes are caused by drivers not
changing lanes safely. It is important
to be safe when changing lanes.
Merging
Merging is when you must pull into
traffic. When traffic is traveling at
high speeds, merging can be very dangerous.
Do not practice high speed merges until the next Chapter. First practice
merging when turning onto a roadway from a side street, driveway, or when
parked on the side of the road.
Start by merging into slow moving traffic
and work up to higher speed roads. Look
to see that there is a safe gap to pull into.
Signal that you are about to merge and then accelerate briskly when safe
to do so. Briskly does not mean leaving
rubber on the road, but it also does not mean moving at a turtles pace. You want to get-up to the speed of traffic
as soon as possible, but you must do so smoothly and safely. The key to safe merging is to enter into a
gap in traffic without causing oncoming traffic to slam on their brakes or make
an emergency lane change. It takes lots
of practice to learn what is a safe gap.
Yielding
When you see a “Yield” sign for your lane,
it means that you must yield to other traffic.
Examples where you will see this sign are where two lanes merge into
one, a smaller road merges into a larger road, or a road with a lower speed
limit merges with a higher speed limit road.
You must yield in these situations if there is a sign or not. For example, if you are pulling into the
roadway from a drive way, the traffic on the roadway has the right-of-way and
you must yield to it until there is a gap or someone slows and allows you to
enter the road. Remember, you must
yield to any and all traffic that has the right-of-way. You might want to review the right-of-way
rules.
Mall Parking Lots
Mall parking lots can be very confusing
and have lots of traffic. It is a good
place to practice interacting with other traffic (cars, people, shopping
carts). You must watch for cars parking
and then backing into the lane of traffic.
You must watch for people walking everywhere, including kids darting
about and even pets. In very large
parking lots there may even be multiple levels of parking. If you park, park in a safe area that is
(will be) well lighted at night. Note
the location of the car. Take your keys
and lock the car!
Large parking lots allow you to practice
parking, entering and exiting traffic, watching for pedestrians, and watching
out for others who are not looking out for you - they are looking for their
cars or a parking space. Spend lots of
time driving around in these parking lots.
Always drive at a safe speed.
This lets you stop easily if you must.
Passing on 4-Lane Roads
Passing another vehicle is one of the
hardest and most dangerous driving activities, especially on two lane roads. DO NOT PRACTICE PASSING ON TWO LANE ROADS
YET. Wait until the next Chapter. You first want to practice passing where
both cars are going in the same direction.
Passing is no more than making two lanes changes, but when at high speed
and/or in heavy traffic and/or on a two lane road, it is very dangerous.
First, do not pass unless you must. To pass, remember what you need to do for a
lane change. Signal your intention,
check for traffic coming from behind, make sure no one is in your blind spot,
change lanes, and then pass the car (on the left side). To move back into the right hand lane you
will need another lane change. Signal
your intention, check that you have room to safely return (you can see both
head lights in your rear view mirror), move back into the lane, make sure the
turn signal is off and continue on your way.
A couple of things to remember about
passing. Once you pass, make sure you
keep up your speed. Also, if cars are
moving at the speed limit, you will have to break the speed limit to pass. You could get a speeding ticket. So remember, only pass when safe to do so.
CHAPTER 4
City Driving
Session 11
If the new driver is comfortable with what
they have learned so far. You can now
move on to more complex driving situations.
These situations are made more difficult because the driver must watch
for more traffic, sometimes in limited space, and often with drivers who are
not always paying total attention to their driving. There are more signs to pay attention to, many which are hard to
read, traffic lights at every corner, pedestrians, jaywalkers, buses taking up
more than their share of the road or having to move around cars that are parked
illegally. There are lots of things to
learn and experience. Pick your areas
to give you different types of situations, speeds, and traffic flow. Practice turning, both right and left, with
and without turn lanes, pulling into traffic, parking on the street, crossing
busy roads, lane changes, merging, school zones, large parking lots, narrow and
wide streets, and one-way streets (if available).
Remember, several different practices
times are needed. Don’t over do
it. If the new driver gets tired,
frustrated or flustered, don’t push it.
Return home and practice again at another time. The objective here is to help your driver
experience multiple distractions while keeping a safe path of travel Go easy at first with a few turns and a
straight-ahead direction at most lights.
Practice helps make the driver become aware of things happening around
them while focusing on being a safe driver.
Once the new driver has driven in city
traffic, let them drive when errands are to be done. This gives them practice and allows shopping to be done. Many new drivers love to practice and will
be happy to drive most anywhere you want to go. Let them practice.
CHAPTER 5
Highway Driving – The Open Road
Session 12
The asphalt ribbon. Freedom.
Cruising the interstate. To
some, the highway is what driving is all about. Highway driving practices are to help learn about high speed
driving on as many different roadways, under different conditions, as are available to the new driver in your
area. You should try and practice on
two-way highways (no passing yet),
multiple-lane highways, and limited access highways, expressways or toll
roads.
As with the other training sessions,
planning the practice is the key. Look
at a local map of your area and plan a route that will enable the new driver to
comfortably explore and experience different highways. For one of the sessions, plan to make
frequent exits (if possible) where you can easily travel a short distance, turn
around, and get back on the highway. For at least one of the sessions, a long
drive on the highway is recommended.
Here is where a planned trip with the family may be used for at least
part of this practice.
Make sure to review the trip with the new
driver before you leave and after you get back. Cover each of the different driving situations. And remember, be positive.
Entering the Highway.
It is much harder for a lot of drivers to use the entrance ramps than
the exit ramps. Often, you must start
from a stop, or from a very slow speed, and have very little ramp to get-up to
the speed of traffic, all the while watching the vehicles on the ramp in front
of you, those behind you, and finding a safe gap in traffic into which to
merge. It is best to practice entrance
ramps with light traffic first and then work-up to more crowed conditions.
Because this can be difficult for the new
driver, the parent should assist in watching for a safe gap. Also remember, it is much easier to merge
while traveling at the speed of traffic than it is to merge and speed-up all at
the same time. If there is no traffic
on the highway, the merge is straight forward and much easier.
Keep Steady Speed.
Learning to keep a steady speed takes some practice, especially going up
and down hills. Even if your car is
equipped with cruise control, it is best not to use it until the new driver can
keep a steady speed. Staying within
plus or minus 5 mph is a good goal. Remember
to look 8-12 seconds ahead and keep the 4-second following rule. Try and keep the car centered in the
lane. If there is a strong cross wind,
this task will be more difficult.
Remember, when driving at high speeds, you are covering a lot of ground
in a very short period of time and your margin of error is much smaller. Pay attention to your driving. Keep a safe cushion around your car, and use
your mirrors to see what is going on behind you.
When on a multi-lane road, practice
changing lanes when there is no traffic around. Sooner or later you will come upon a slower vehicle (e.g., large
truck) that you can practice passing.
When changing lanes, try and maintain your speed. If traffic is heavy, practice moving into
gaps (safely) where traffic is moving both faster and slower than what you are
traveling. This will help the new
driver begin to have a better perception of speed.
Exiting the Highway. Once again, before you begin your brief highway journey, discuss
with your new driver what to do when it comes time to exit. Know where you want to exit and prepare for
it. Move to the right lane if not
already in it. Signal in advance of the
exit ramp. Make sure to turn it off
when on the ramp. Maintain your speed
up for as long as possible. Do not
drive on the shoulder. Wait for the
exit lane and then move smoothly onto it.
Brake and slow to the posted exit speed when on the ramp.
SUBHEAD:
Tips to Remember:
• Entering
the Highway:
– Look for safe gap while on the ramp.
–
Try and reach traffic speed before
merging.
– Always enter into the first lane, do not
cut across more than one lane.
• Maintain
a Steady Speed
– Plus or minus 5 mph
– Look 8-12 seconds ahead to see the big
picture.
– Stay at least 4 seconds behind the car
in front of you.
• Keep your eyes on the road but don’t
forget to check your mirrors.
•
Exiting The Highway
– Signal before you get to the exit.
– Maintain speed until you reach the exit
lane.
– Once in the exit lane, slow to the
posted ramp speed.
CHAPTER 6
Special Situations…There Are Many
Session 13
Traffic, Road Conditions, and more Traffic
It is a jungle out there. Keep in mind, that every time you're behind
the wheel, you could be involved in a crash.
It could happen to you. There
are lots of bad drivers on the road and you are still learning. This means be careful, but it also means you
need to practice under a variety of conditions. That's why it's important to include conditions such as
hillcrests, parked cars, work zones, double-parked cars, narrow bridges, and
difficult weather (snow, ice, rain) into your practice sessions. If the new driver is ready and these
conditions present themselves, they should be included, but not if it is too
dangerous to do so. The intent is to
gain useful experience, not to be involved in a crash or stuck in a snow drift
far from home.
Night Driving
Many drivers have problems driving at
night. It is hard to see the roadway,
lane dividers, and roadway signs.
Oncoming cars, following cars, street lights, and other lights can cause
glare. A dirty front window doesn’t
help. Sometimes it seems you are
driving in a cave. In bad weather, it
can be even worse. It is best for the
new driver to practice under these conditions a little at a time, but it is
important to practice them.
Remember, you need to use your low beams
when in town and with approaching cars.
When on a two lane road, an oncoming car’s headlights can be very
bright. If you look at the right side
of the road until the car passes, it will help you see better. It is a good idea to practice switching the
headlights from low to high beam without looking at the controls. Practice this procedure away from traffic or
when sitting in the driveway.
Here are a few tips to help you during
your practice drives at night:
• Drive
within your headlights. It is easy to
out drive your headlights. What this
means is you cannot stop within the distance you can see. To be safe, you need to drive within your
headlights. This way you can stop if
you see something hazardous in the headlights.
• Adjust
your rear mirror for night use to avoid glare from headlights behind you. Remember to use the daylight setting during
the day.
• Never
drive, especially at night, when you
feel drowsy or after you have consumed alcohol or taken medication. This will affect your judgment and
alertness.
• Be
even more watchful for pedestrians and cyclists, who are even harder to see at
night.
• If
you are having trouble seeing because of an oncoming cars headlights, they also
are having trouble, so dim your high beams and look at the right side of the
road or your lane.
• Until
you are much more experienced at driving, do not drive in bad weather unless it
is necessary. Dangerous conditions
include heavy fog, and icy conditions.
If at all possible, especially at night, do not drive under these
conditions.
• Watch
for brake lights several cars ahead.
This will alert you that you may need to slow or stop.
• When
dusk or dark, always use headlights.
They help you see better and also help others see your car. Never use parking lights when driving. They are for parking only.
Bad Weather
Here are a few tips for driving in bad
weather (rain, snow, icy):
• SLOW
DOWN! This is the best tip for any bad
weather.
• Rain
and snow make the roadway slippery.
This means your car cannot stop or turn anywhere near as well as on dry
roads. It takes you much longer to stop
and you need lots more room to turn.
Double your normal following distance.
Remember, just because you can drive fast in snow and ice doesn't mean
that you can stop fast, too. No one
can!
• Roads
can be very slippery just after rain begins.
This is because oil, grease, and dirt from cars gets on the road and
takes a while to wash away.
• Make
sure your wiper blades are good and the wipers work. When it starts to rain is not the best time to discover that your
blades don’t work or don’t work well.
• Make
sure your tires have good tread and the correct air pressure. Tires work best when they have the correct
air pressure in them. Tires need tread
to have a grip when the road is wet.
• When
the road is wet or snowy, brake slowly and smoothly, well in advance of where
you need to stop. Use snow tires or
chains on snow covered roads. Remember
it is hard to stop or turn, so go slowly.
• If
you must travel in bad weather, notify someone where you are going and when you
expect to get there. Call when you do
get there and let them know you have arrived safely.
• Don’t
be a “port-hole” driver – you're driving a car, not a submarine. Clear snow and ice from all windows before
attempting to drive. You need to see
around you, especially in bad weather.
• If
you must drive in fog, use your headlights or fog lights. Only use your low beams. Your high beams get reflected by the fog and
don’t let you see as well.
Oooh... Driving Those Hills and Curves
For those who have hills or mountains,
driving in them can be a challenge. It
is important to pay close attention to the roadway and warning signs. Look as far down the roadway as
possible. Try and know what lies ahead
to prepare for it. Pay close attention
to warning signs for curves and downgrades.
Keep a good space between you and any vehicle in front of you. This will allow you room to stop, change
lanes, or slow safely if the need arises.
On downgrades, watch your speed closely. It is easy to go much faster than you intend. Use your brakes and lower gears to control
your speed. Whenever you face a hill or
curve, remember:
• Look
far ahead and make frequent mirror checks for what other traffic is doing.
• When
going around a curve, look as far into the curve as possible.
• Slow
down before you enter the curve. Use the right roadway edge for guidance when
turning to the right. Use the center
line or dashed lane markings for guidance when turning to the left.
• Do
not brake hard when turning in a curve, it can cause your car to skid.
Roadway Railroad Crossings
People are killed and injured each day at
roadway railroad crossings. The biggest
problem are drivers who try and beat the train to the crossing. When they lose, they often lose their
lives. Trains are big, very big, and
very heavy. It takes a train a long
distance to stop. Even if the engineer
sees you in the crossing, there is no way the train can stop before it hits
you. That's why it's very important to
be on guard when you need to cross over railroad tracks.
Always slow down when you see warning
signs for a railroad crossing, and you must stop when you see a stop sign,
flashing red lights, or lowered crossing gates. To look for an approaching train, you have to slow down, look,
and listen. And never drive around the
crossing gates that are down. It is
against the law and is very dangerous.
Passing on Two-Way Roads
To pass another car on a two-lane highway,
the driver waits for just the right moment, speeds up, passes around the car in
front, and eases back into the right lane.
It sounds easy, but…
even for the experienced driver, passing
on a two-way road is dangerous. It
requires split-second timing and good, clear judgment. Whenever you pass another vehicle on a two lane-highway
you occupy the same lane as oncoming traffic for a short period of time. One error, one moment of not paying
attention, and you may suddenly face a head-on crash. Not a good situation.
It is important that you learn to pass
safely. There will be times when you
will need to pass a slow moving vehicle in your lane. It could be a slow moving truck going up a steep grade, a farm
tractor moving to another field, or just someone who is moving slowly. As long as you are moving within the speed
limit, you can pass these vehicles.
The following will give you some hints on
how to safely pass another car.
Hints for Passing.
First, make sure that you need to pass.
Many two lane roads have passing lanes every so often. If these lanes are available enjoy the
scenery and pass where it is much safer - using the passing lanes. Other roads will give you the distance until
the road widens into multiple lanes.
Again, it is much safer to wait and pass when on a multi-lane road.
There are times when you will need to pass
on a two lane road. It can be done in a
manner that will make your pass much safer.
Do not get on the bumper of the car to be passed. It makes it much harder to see around
them. Hang back a little and watch for
a safe passing area. A safe passing
area will have a broken or dashed line on your side of the center line. If there is a solid line, it is not safe to
pass. Now, make sure no other vehicles
are coming towards you and are close enough so that you can not safely
pass. Lastly, make sure there is room
in front of the car you want to pass.
They may be following other cars and trucks. If there is a line of cars waiting to pass, you need to wait your
turn. It is very dangerous to pass more
than one car at a time and to pass out-of-turn. Other drivers are not expecting it and they could pull-out into
you.
When it is safe, turn on your left turn
signal and speed-up. Check ahead once
again to be sure it is safe, check your mirror to be sure no one is passing you
and check your blind spot just before you pull into the other lane. Keep looking ahead for approaching
cars. Pull into the passing lane and
continue to speed up. As you pass the
other car start looking in your rear view mirror for when it will be safe to
return to the right lane. It is safe
when you can see both headlights in your mirror. Turn on your right turn signal, check your mirrors, and then pull
back into the right lane. Make sure the
turn signal is off and continue down the road.
After a couple of seconds slow down to your traveling speed.
At any time before you pass, if you're not
absolutely certain that it is safe, drop back into your lane and wait until it
is safe. You have time to give but
there is only one of you. Be safe.
Emergencies
Smart drivers have an emergency kit in the
vehicle. You can make one up for
yourself or buy one that is already made up.
If you have a crash
See your state Driver’s Manual for what is
required if you have a crash. Make sure
your car insurance is up to date. All
States require that vehicles be insured for liability. If you have questions, where you can call
for additional information is listed in your driver’s manual.
Chapter 7
Alcohol & Driving
Session 14
Just a few words
There's a great deal of information on
alcohol use and the hazards of drinking and driving. Because it is a problem, it must be discussed with your new
driver. There is no better time to talk
about it than right now.
What does alcohol do to a person?
Alcohol affects people differently.
However, what's true for everyone is that it is a drug which depresses the
central nervous system. As a
depressant, alcohol acts like an anesthetic, slowing the activity of the brain
and spinal cord. The drinker
experiences the depressant action of the alcohol in reduced tension and lowered
inhibitions. These feelings can
frequently be observed in the drinker as he or she becomes more talkative,
loud, or as he or she begins to do and say things that are not a part of his or
her normal behavior. Even though these
feelings come from the slowing down effects of alcohol, they are referred to as
“getting high.” If enough alcohol is
consumed, drowsiness and, eventually, sleep will result. None of these things
are good for the driver of any age.
What happens when you drink alcohol?
Unlike most food, alcohol does not have to
be digested. Once it is swallowed,
alcohol is absorbed directly into the blood stream through the walls of the
stomach and small intestine. This
absorption process may be slowed, however, if there is food in the stomach.
As the amount of alcohol in the blood
increases, several things happen to the body: vision becomes impaired, depth
perception becomes distorted, and the pupils of the eyes react more slowly to
variations in light. Also, coordination
deteriorates, the ability to solve problems is reduced, and the ability to
recall past events or learned knowledge is diminished. The mind simply can’t manage to put it all
together; and as a result, the person may exhibit poor judgment. Coffee won't help sober up someone who's
been drinking. All it does is to create a more wide-awake drinker. Only time
will permit a return to sobriety and safe driving.
How much is too much?
The attitude of those who do not drink
might be that any amount of alcohol is too much. For those who do drink the definition of “too much” varies.
Most safety organizations feel that you
should not drink and drive, period. If
you drink, don’t drive. All states have
laws against drunk driving. See your
state driver’s manual for the laws in your state. The penalties for drunk driving are very tough. You could loss your drivers license and your
insurance rates will go up. It’s not
worth it.
All states have age 21 laws. This means you must be at least 21 years of
age before you can buy alcohol. This means beer, wine and liqueur.
Things to Talk About:
• Your
teenager is not to use alcohol. They
have gone to a party where alcohol is served, and drinks the punch that someone
has put alcohol into. It’s getting
late, and your teenager feels a little “strange” and is afraid to drive
home. What should they do?
• Your
teenager has ridden to a party with a friend who now appears to have been
drinking. What should they do?
Contract
Many parents and teens find that one way
to deal with the problems of alcohol is to draw-up a contract between the teen
and the parents. One is included for
your use, however, feel free to use another one if you want.
Key to the contract working is for both
parties to abide by it. It only works
if you both obey it.
Work it out between yourselves. Others find it does help.
Some Final Hints
Driving is a very important part of your
life. Cars cost money to buy and to
maintain. The fuel needed so you can
drive your car costs money. Driving can
be fun. Don’t waist your money or your
life. Drive safely. Be considerate of other road users, they
have as much right to be on the road as you do. Enjoy yourself and have a lifetime of safe driving.
It take lots of time and practice for
someone to be a good safe driver. This
means there are no short cuts. The only
way to be a safe driver is to practice and then practice some more. Even experienced drivers have to pay attention
to their driving. Work on it and enjoy
it.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Floyd, Russell, A Parent’s Survival
Guide to Driver Education. South
Burlington High School, Jericho, VT.
Manitoba Public Insurance, The Co-Pilots Manual. Winnipeg, MB.
Mottola, Frederick, Zone Control
Driving System. Interactive Driving
Systems, Inc., Cheshire, CT., 1995.
Propulsion International Inc., Handbook
Plus, The Companion for Today’s Driver. Science and Culture Press Inc. Quebec,
Canada, 1995.
Washington State Traffic Safety Education
Association (WTSEA), Curriculum Resource Guide: Master Guide for Implementing a
Performance-Based Curriculum. 1995.
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