I Drive Smart Textbook

Student
Manual
/
Maryland & DC
Edition
Table of Contents
UNIT 1: GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH IDS AND MVA NEW DRIVER GUIDELINES ......................................... 1
Welcome to I Drive Smart! ................................................................................................................... 2
Maryland MVA Student Rights and Responsibilities .............................................................................3
Navigating the IDS Website .................................................................................................................. 4
Risks for a Young Driver ........................................................................................................................ 6
Insurance Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 6
I Drive Smart, Your Parent, and You ......................................................................................................7
The Maryland Graduated Licensing System .........................................................................................8
Unit 1 Review 15................................................................................................................................. 11
UNIT 2: INTRODUCING OPERATOR AND VEHICLE CONTROL TASKS
IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... 17
Before You Enter the Car .................................................................................................................... 18
In the Drivers Seat ............................................................................................................................. 21
The Car in Motion ............................................................................................................................... 24
State Vehicle Laws in Maryland ..........................................................................................................26
Unit 2 Review ..................................................................................................................................... 29
UNIT 3: SIGNS, SIGNALS, PAVEMENT MARKINGS AND THE RIGHT-OF-WAY............................................... 35
Traffic Control Devices ........................................................................................................................ 36
The Right-of-Way ................................................................................................................................ 40
State Vehicle Laws in Maryland ..........................................................................................................42
Unit 3 Review ..................................................................................................................................... 43
version June 2012
Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved
UNIT 4: RISK MANAGEMENT, THE SPACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND DRIVER DISTRACTIONS .............. 47
Risk ..................................................................................................................................................... 48
Using Your Vision ................................................................................................................................ 50
The Space Management System .........................................................................................................51
Distracted Driving ............................................................................................................................... 53
Unit 4 Review ..................................................................................................................................... 55
UNIT 5: BASIC MANEUVERING TASKS ...................................................................................................... 59
Intersections ....................................................................................................................................... 60
Turning Around ................................................................................................................................... 62
Parking ................................................................................................................................................ 63
Maneuvering on the Road .................................................................................................................. 66
Passing and Being Passed ................................................................................................................... 68
Applicable Maryland Driving Laws .....................................................................................................68
Unit 5 Review ..................................................................................................................................... 70
UNIT 6: RISK REDUCING STRATEGIES FOR HIGH SPEED, MULTI-LANE EXPRESSWAYS
AND STRATEGIES FOR SHARING THE ROAD WITH OTHER VEHICLES ......................................................... 73
Characteristics of an Expressway ........................................................................................................74
Trips on Expressways .......................................................................................................................... 76
Driving on an Expressway ................................................................................................................... 77
Commercial Motor Vehicles ............................................................................................................... 79
Sharing the Road ................................................................................................................................ 80
Unit 6 Review ..................................................................................................................................... 81
II
UNIT 7: VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, MALFUNCTIONS, COLLISION REPORTING,

AND DRIVING IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS ................................................................................................. 85
Dashboard Warning Signals ................................................................................................................ 86
Vehicle Failures ................................................................................................................................... 87
Visibility .............................................................................................................................................. 89
Inclement Weather ............................................................................................................................. 90
Traction Loss ....................................................................................................................................... 92
Automotive Technology ...................................................................................................................... 93
Collisions ............................................................................................................................................. 95
Unit 7 Review ..................................................................................................................................... 96
UNIT 8A: ALCOHOL AND OTHER PERSONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING
OPERATOR PERFORMANCE (PART 1) ....................................................................................................... 99
Maryland DUI Laws ........................................................................................................................... 100
Evaluating Impairment ..................................................................................................................... 101
Effects of Alcohol .............................................................................................................................. 103
The Act of Driving Drunk ..................................................................................................................104
Other Drugs ...................................................................................................................................... 105
Maryland License Restrictions ..........................................................................................................106
Unit 8A Review ................................................................................................................................. 107
UNIT 8B: ALCOHOL AND OTHER PERSONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING
OPERATOR PERFORMANCE (PART 2) ......................................................................................................109
Fatigue and Drowsy Driving ..............................................................................................................110
Road Rage ......................................................................................................................................... 110
Emotions and Driving ....................................................................................................................... 112
Unit 8B Review ................................................................................................................................. 113
GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................................117
III
Unit 1:
Getting Acquainted With IDS
and MVA New Driver Guidelines
A) Welcome To I Drive Smart
1) I Drive Smart Basics

2) Student Responsibilities
B) M
aryland MVA Student Rights and
Responsibilities
C) Navigating the I Drive Smart Website

1) Making Up a Missed Class

2) Scheduling a Behind-The-Wheel
Session
D) Risks for a Young Driver
E) Insurance Requirements
F) I Drive Smart, Your Parent, and You
G) The Maryland Graduated Licensing System

1) The Learners Permit

2) The Provisional License

3) The Full License
I drive smart student manual
Unit 1: Getting Acquainted With IDS

and MVA New Driver Guidelines
Welcome to I Drive Smart!

IDS Basics
All I Drive Smart instructors are either active duty or retired law enforcement professionals.
The IDS philosophy rests on the theory that instruction from the seasoned perspective of police
officers could dramatically improve the quality of driver education.
IDS is committed to building safe roads and safe communities by imparting safe driving
practices, proactive strategies, and courteous habits to novice drivers.
By offering a seamless transition from classroom instruction to practical Behind-The-Wheel
training, IDS ensures that each student will be given a sufficient amount of individual attention.
Student Responsibilities
Arrive on time for class, and have your ride pick you up promptly after class. I Drive Smart is not
responsible for students who do not remain on site during breaks or after class.
Remain attentive and engaged in the classroom. Distractions will not be tolerated. Any student
that becomes disruptive will be removed from the class and will need to repeat that unit of
instruction.
Bring all distributed materials to each class and to each Behind-The-Wheel session. Any student
forgetting their book will have to get a Forgot My Book form from their instructor to get credit
for that unit of instruction.
If you have a learning difference, please meet with your instructor privately, either during a
break or before or after class, in order that your needs can be accommodated.
IMPORTANT: There are five documents that must be completed, signed, and returned to the
I Drive Smart office at the end of the program. The following are required by the MVA.
Classroom Student Record & Completion Form

Behind The Wheel Student Record and Completion Form
In-Car Evaluation/Progress Record
Quiz Answer Sheet
Students Bill of Rights Form
The Practice and Skills Log must be completed with sixty hours driving with qualified licensed
supervisor (ten of which must be Night Driving), and submitted directly to the MVA, when you
arrive at an MVA location to participate in a driving test.
If you are under the age of sixteen and wish to obtain a Learners Permit, you must obtain a
Learners Permit School Attendance Certification Form from the MVA, and have it delivered in
a sealed envelope from your high school to the MVA.
Copyright 2010 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved
Unit 1: Getting Acquainted With IDS and MVA New Driver Guidelines
Unit1:GettingAcquaintedWithIDS
andMVANewDriverGuidelines
MarylandMVAStudentRightsand
Responsibilities
1. Eachstudenthastherighttoacertifiedcompetentinstructor,knowledgeableaboutthe
curriculumandtrafficsafetyissues.Withthatrighteachstudenthastheresponsibilitytoarrive
preparedandontimeforeveryclasswithoutsuchdistractionsastalkingortextmessagingon
cellphones,beingdisrespectfultotheinstructor,ortalkingwithotherstudentsinclass.

2. Eachstudenthastherighttobetaughttheentire30hoursofclassroominstructioninan
informative,interestingandchallengingmanner.Withthatrighteachstudenthasthe
responsibilitytobeattentiveandactivelyparticipateineveryclass.
3. Eachstudenthastherighttoexperiencethefull6hoursofbehindthewheeldrivinginstruction
asrequiredinthecurriculum.Withthatrighteachstudentwilllistentotheinstructorandnot
driveinanegligentordangerousmanner.
4. Eachstudenthastherighttobetreatedinacourteous,civilandrespectfulmanner.Withthat
rightstudentshavetheresponsibilitytobepoliteandrespectfultotheirinstructorsatalltimes,
andbewillingtoacceptpositivecriticismtohelpthemachievedrivingsuccess.
5. Eachstudenthastherighttoattendclassinaclean,safe,secure,temperaturecontrolledand
fullyequippedclassroomthatmeetsthelocalfireandbuildingcodesandMVArequirements.
Withthatrighteachstudenthastheresponsibilitytorespectthepropertyofthedrivingschool
bynotdefacingordestroyingequipmentorvehicles.
6. Eachstudentandparent/drivercoachhastherighttovisitIDriveSmart,seetheinstructors
licenseandcertification,andtherighttoobserveanyclasssessionincludingincarsessions,in
whichtheirchildisincluded.Withthatrighteachparent/drivercoachhastheresponsibilityto
refrainfrominterferingwiththeinstruction,classroomordriving,whiletheclassisinsession.
7. Eachparent/drivercoachandstudenthastherighttohavethedrivereducationprogram,
includingboththe30hoursofclassroominstructionandthe6hoursofrequireddrivingtime,
completedwithin18weeksofthefirstdayofclass.Withthatrighteachparent/drivercoachhas
theresponsibilitytotakeanactiveroleinhis/herstudentsdrivereducationbymonitoringall
progress,communicatingwiththedrivingschooland/orinstructor,andpracticingwiththe
studentdriverifhe/shehasalearnerspermit.
8. Eachparent/drivercoachandstudenthastherighttoplaceacomplaintwiththeMotorVehicle
AdministrationregardingproblemsassociatedwithIDriveSmartortheinstructor(thenumber
tocallis4104243751).Withthatrighteachparent/drivercoachandstudenthasthe
responsibilitytoattempttopromptlypayIDriveSmartforthedrivereducationclassandto
attempttoalerttheownerormanagerofIDriveSmartaboutanyproblemsorcomplaints
beforecontactinganoutsideagency.

Copyright 2010IDriveSmart,Inc.AllrightsReserved8
Unit1:Ge
andM
NavigatingtheIDSWebsite
Making Up a MissedNavigatingtheIDSW
Class
MakingUpaMissedClass

LogontotheIDriveSmartwebsite(www.idrivesmart.com),andselectNewDriverTraining
Unit1:Ge
undertheSchedulesTab.

andM
YoucanusetheClassScheduleSearchfeaturetosearchforthespecificUnityouneedtomake
the I Drive Smart homepage, select Account
On
LogontotheIDriveSmartwebsite(www.idrivesmart.com),ands
up,orsearchusingotherparameterssuchasLocationorDate.
Log-In
on the top right corner of the page. Enter
Unit1:Ge
Afteryouselectaclassthatworksforyou,simplyshowupatthatclassandinformthe
your
YoucanusetheClassScheduleSearchfeaturetosearchforthe
username and password.
instructor.YoudonotneedtocalltheIDSoffice.
andM
Afteryouselectaclassthatworksforyou,simplyshowupattha

Notice
the
status
column
on
your
class
schedule.


on the calendar icon of the unit you need to
Click
make
up.

Unit1:Ge
andM

Unit1:Ge
NavigatingtheIDSW
NavigatingtheIDSW
NavigatingtheIDSW
SchedulingaBehindTheWheelSession
andM

Once
you
click
on
that
icon
all
available
specific
OntheIDriveSmarthomepage,selectAccountLogInonthetoprighthandcornerofthe
SchedulingaBehindTheWheelSess
will appear.
page,andenteryourusernameandpassword. units

Unit1:Ge
UndertheBehindTheWheelTrainingTab,ClickontheSelectLinktoscheduleaBehindThe
OntheIDriveSmarthomepage,selectAccountLogInontheto
andM
Wheelsession.

page,andenteryourusernameandpassword.
IMPORTANT:Allcancellationsmustbemadefivedaysinadvance.
on the Select hyperlink of the session you
Click
UndertheBehindTheWheelTrainingTab,ClickontheSelectL

Ifyou1)failtocancelaBehindTheWheelsessionatleastfivedayspriortoyourscheduled
wish
to attend.
Wheelsession.

appointment,or2)failtoappearforyourscheduledappointment,youwillberequiredto
IMPORTANT:Allcancellationsmustbemadefivedaysinadvance

purchaseanadditionalsession,costing$159.00.
Ifyou1)failtocancelaBehindTheWheelsessionatleastfiveda

Afteryouselectaclassthatworksforyou,simplyshowupatthat
appointment,or2)failtoappearforyourscheduledappointmen
schedule
will
be
updated
reflecting
the
Your
change.

Wheelsession.
Wheelsession.





UndertheBehindTheWheelTrainingTab,ClickontheSelect
Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved SchedulingaBehindTheWheelSess
Copyright
2010IDriveSmart,Inc.AllrightsReserved
Wheelsession.

NavigatingtheIDSW
NavigatingtheIDSW
Unit
a
NavigatingtheIDS
Unit
Scheduling Your Behind-The-Wheel Sessions
MakingUpaMissedClaa

the I Drive Smart homepage, select Account
On
LogontotheIDriveSmartwebsite(www.idrivesmart.com
Log-In
on the top right corner of the page.
MakingUpaMissedCla
Enter
YoucanusetheClassScheduleSearchfeaturetosearchf
your username and password.

up,orsearchusingotherparameterssuchasLocationorD
scheduling
a
session,
you
must:
Before
Afteryouselectaclassthatworksforyou,simplyshowup
Click on the Edit Info link on the

sidebar
of
your
User
Account
page.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and
click Continue.
NavigatingtheIDS
Add your Learners Permit Number in

the required field.
Unit
NavigatingtheIDS
Click on Update Account.
Click on My Account to return to your

Unit
MakingUpaMissedCla
User Account page.
a

On
your User Account page, scroll down to
Unit
the
unreserved Behind-The-Wheel
sessions,
SchedulingaBehindTheWhee

and
click the Select hyperlink to schedule
the
Behind-The-Wheel
session. MakingUpaMissedCla
OntheIDriveSmarthomepage,selectAccountLogInon

IMPORTANT:
All
cancellations
must
be
made
UndertheBehindTheWheelTrainingTab,ClickontheS
MakingUpaMissedCla
five
days
in
advance.

Wheelsession.

IfIMPORTANT:Allcancellationsmustbemadefivedaysina
you
1)
fail
to
cancel
a
Behind-The-Wheel
Ifyou1)failtocancelaBehindTheWheelsessionatleast
session
at least five days prior to your schedundertheSchedulesTab.
appointment,or2)failtoappearforyourscheduledappoi
YoucanusetheClassScheduleSearchfeaturetosearch
uled
appointment, or 2) fail to appear for your
Wheelsession.
scheduled
appointment, you will be required

IMPORTANT:Allcancellationsmustbemadefivedaysina

to
purchase
a
supplemental
Behind-The-Wheel
session.
appointment,or2)failtoappearforyourscheduledappoi

NavigatingtheIDS
NavigatingtheIDS


Wheelsession.
Copyright
2010IDriveSmart,Inc.AllrightsReserved
Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc.
rights
Reserved
5

AllIMPORTANT:Allcancellationsmustbemadefivedaysina


RisksforaYoungDriver
RisksforaYoungDriver

In2007,6,982fifteentotwentyyearolddriverswereinvolvedinfatalcrashes.3,174ofthose
involvedwerekilled.
Onaverage,38peopleareinjuredeverydayinMarylandasaresultofcrashesinvolvinga
Nationwidein2008,thelastyearforwhichcompletedataisavailable,morethan600,000
youngdriver.
teenagerswereinjuredinmotorvehiclecrashes.
In2007,therewere98fatalcrashesinvolvingyoungdrivers.Inaddition,7,357crashesinvolved
Motorvehiclecrashesaretheleadingcauseofdeathamongteenagersaged1319.
injuriesandnearly11,538otherreportedcrashesinvolvedyoungdriversinMaryland.
Oneinfourofallmotorvehiclefatalitiesinvolvesomeonebetween16and24yearsold.
16and17yearolddriversrepresentonly1.6%ofalllicensedMarylanddriversand1.3%ofall
milesdriven,butaccountfor11%ofalldriverfatalities.
20%of11thgradestudentsreportbeinginvolvedinamotorvehiclecollisioninthelastyear.
In2007,thelastyearforwhichcompletedataisavailable,615peoplewerekilledonMaryland
Overthelasttenyears,90%ofyoungdriverskilledinfatalcrashesweredeemedtobeat
roads.112ofthesewerekilledincrashesinvolvingyoungdriversage16to20.Thisrepresents
fault.
18%ofalltrafficrelateddeaths.
Approximatelytwothirdsofteenpassengerdeathsoccurwhenanotherteenagerisdriving.
In2007,only36ofthosekilledincrashesinvolvingyoungdriversweretheyoungdriver
themselves.63otherswerepassengersordriversorpassengersofothervehiclesor
TheHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationestimatesthatthetotalcostofteenmotorvehicle
pedestrians.
accidentsexceeds$40billionayear.
Overthelast10years,90%ofyoungdriverskilledinfatalcrashesweredeemedtobeatfault.
Theleadingcontributingfactorscitedinpolicereportsinteendrivercrashesincludenot
payingattention,drivingtoofastforconditions,failuretoyieldrightofway,andfollowing
Theleadingcontributingfactorcitedinpolicereportsinyoungdrivercrashesinclude,notpaying
tooclosely.
attention,drivingtoofastforconditions,failuretoyieldrightofwayandfollowingtooclosely.
Teendrivers,whilelesslikelythanadultstogetbehindthewheelafterconsumingalcohol,
A2007NHTSAresearchreportconcludedthatpassengerrestrictions(seatbelts)doreduce
areexponentiallymorelikelytobeinvolvedinanaccidentwhiledrivingdrunk.
crashesandinjurytoyoungteenswithoutmeasurablyoffsettingincreasesamongotherage
groups.
InsuranceRequirements

TheStateofMarylandrequiresthatallregisteredcarownerscarry:
1. LiabilityInsurance
2. PersonalInjuryProtection
3. UninsuredMotoristCoverage

Youwillneedproofofinsurancewhenyouregisteryourvehicle,anditisyourresponsibilityto
makesurethevehicleyouaredrivingisinsuredandregisteredproperly.

IMPORTANT:Ifyoudriveuninsured,youmayloseyourvehicleregistrationprivilegesand
licenseplates,andyoumayberestrictedfromregisteringanyfuturevehicles.
IDriveSmart,YourParent,andYou

QualityDriverEducationrestsonatriangular,threetieredapproachbetweenIDriveSmart,
YourParentorGuardian,andYou.Allthreeparticipantsmusttakeanactive,handsonroleinyour
drivereducationtoensurethatyouwillbecomeasafe,courteous,andresponsibledriver.
Communicationbetweenthesethreepartiesisessentialtohelp

1)Thestudentdriverimproveondrivingweaknesses
2)Theparent/guardianmaintaintheRookieDriverSkillsLog
3)Theinstructormonitortheprogressofthestudentdriverandgiveadequate
individualattentiontothatstudent

Anystudentdrivermustapproachdrivereducationwithanopenmind,understandthat
operatingamotorvehicleisanoverwhelmingexperienceforanynovicedriver,andhavepatiencewith
theirparent,theirinstructor,andmostimportantly,withhim/herself.Likewise,parentsandguardians
mustprovideagoodexamplefortheiryoungdriverandunderstandthatthestudentislikelytomimic
theirowndrivinghabitsandmannerisms.Bothpartiesmustunderstandthatitisessentialforthe
studenttoreceiveasmuchsupervisedpracticeaspossiblethereissimplynoreplacementforhands
ontraining.Finally,theparentmustunderstandthatyoungdriversneedtoberestricted.Besuretoset
cleargroundrulesonwhen,howoften,andunderwhatconditionsyourchildwillbeallowedtodrive.
Studiesprovethatteensarelesslikelytotakeriskswhentheserulesareinplace.Asyoubeginthis
drivereducationcourse,pleasetakesometimetoconsiderthefollowingquestions,andhaveyour
parentsconsiderthemaswell:

Whatcharacteristicswouldyoulikeyourparent/drivingcoachtohavewhentheyreproviding
instructiontodriveamotorvehicle?

Whatcharacteristicsdoyouthinkthatyourparent/drivingcoachwouldlikeyoutohavewhen
theyareprovidinginstructiontodriveamotorvehicle?

Whenyourparentisdriving,whathabitsortendenciesdotheyhavethatsetagoodexample,
andwhathabitsortendenciesdotheyhavethatyouthinksetapoorexample?

Doyouhaveanyfriendsorsiblingsthatareteenagedrivers?Ifso,whathabitsortendenciesdo
theyhavethatsetagoodexample,andwhatriskydrivingbehaviorsdotheydisplay?

Whatstepscanyoutaketotakeamoreactiveroleinyourdrivereducation,andhowmuchtime
andeffortareyouwillingtodedicatetobecomingasafeandresponsibledriver?

Whatcanyourinstructordotomakeyourclassroomexperiencemoreenjoyableandefficient?
Donotbeafraidtoshareyourthoughtswithyourinstructor!Welovestudentandparentinput
andparticipationatIDS!
TheMarylandGraduatedLicensing
System

Anydriverisresponsibleforknowingtherulesandregulationsregardingtheoperationofamotor
vehicleimposedbythefederal,state,andlocalgovernments.Typically,thefederalgovernmentenacts
generallawssuchastheUniformTrafficControlDevicesAct,whichstandardizesthecolorsandshapes
ofroadsignsnationwide.Stategovernmentssetguidelinesforissuinglicensesandrequirementsforthe
registrationandinspectionofvehicles.Finally,localgovernmentspasslawswhichconcernonlytheuse
oftheHighwayTransportationSystemwithintheircommunity,suchassettingspeedlimitsorunique
trafficdevices.
Receivingyourfirstdriverslicenseisaprivilege,notaright.Althoughtheexactrequirementsdiffer
fromstatetostate,thereareanumberofprerequisitesthatyoungdriversinallstatesmustmeet
beforebeingissuedalicense.Forinstance,eachstatehasaminimumagethatanapplicantforadrivers
licensemustbe,aswellasabasicvisionscreeningtest,knowledgetest,androadtestwhichthenovice
drivermustpass.
Inresponsetothehighnumberofinjuriesandfatalitiesamongyoungdrivers,theStateofMaryland
developedtheMarylandGraduatedLicensingSystem(GLS).TheGLSconsistsofathreetiersystemfor
novicedrivers:theLearnersPermit,theProvisionalLicense,andtheFullLicense.

A) TheLearnersPermit

Eligibility

AstudentdrivermayobtainaLearnersPermitat15years9monthsoldwith
theconsentandsignatureofaparent/guardian.
AnyapplicantforaLearnersPermitundertheageof16mustcompletea
LearnersPermitSchoolAttendanceCertificationformandhaveitvalidatedbya
schoolofficial.
Thereisa$50.00feeinordertoreceiveyourLearnersPermit.
Anyapplicantmustpassastandardvisionscreeningandknowledgetest.
ALearnersPermitisvalidfor24months,andmustbeheldforaminimumof9
months.
ALearnersPermitholdermustcompleteatleastsixtyhoursofdrivingunder
thesupervisionofanadultwhoisatleast21yearsoldandwhohashelda
driverslicenseforatleastthreeyears.Tenofthesehoursmustoccurduring
theperiodbeginning30minutesbeforesunsetandending30minutesafter
sunrise.

Restrictions

DriverswithaLearnersPermitmustbeaccompaniedbyaqualifiedsupervising
licenseddriverovertheageof21whomustbeseatedbesidethepermitholder.
Nootherpersonbesidesthesupervisinglicenseddrivermaysitinthefrontseat
withthepermitholder.
NoLearnersPermitHoldermayuseacellphoneorotherwireless
communicationdevicewhileoperatingamotorvehicle.

SanctionsforViolations

Ifapermitholdercommitsanymovingviolationduringhis/herlearnerspermit
phase,heorshemustrestartthe9monthwaitingperiod.
Ifapermitfolderisconvictedofacellphoneviolationduringhis/herlearners
permitphase,his/herpermitmaybesuspendedfor90days,afterwhichhe/she
wouldhavetorestartthe9monthwaitingperiod.
Undercertaincircumstances,parentsaswellasteensmaybeheldliablefor
damages.
B) TheProvisionalLicense

Eligibility

Anindividualmustbeaminimumageof16years6monthstoreceivetheir
provisionaldriverslicense.
Anindividualmustcompleteastandarddrivereducationcourse,composedof
30hoursintheclassroomand6hoursbehindthewheel.
AnindividualmustcompleteaSkillsLogasproofof60hoursofsupervised
drivingwithaminimumof10hoursofnightdriving,verifiedbyaparentor
guardian.
Anindividualmustpossessavalidlearnerspermitforatleast9months
immediatelyprecedingtheissuanceofaprovisionallicense.
Anindividualmustbeconvictionfreeofanymovingviolationoranysuspension
forthe9monthsimmediatelyprecedingtheissuanceofaprovisionallicense.
AnindividualmustpassadrivingskillstestadministeredbytheMVA.

Restrictions

Ifundertheageof18,anindividualwithaProvisionalLicenseisonlypermitted
todrivebetweenthehoursof5AMandmidnight.Betweenmidnightand5AM
theindividualisonlyallowedtodrivewithalicensedsupervisorovertheageof
21whohashadtheirlicenseforthreeyears.
Ifundertheageof18,anindividualisnotpermittedtouseacellphoneor
wirelesscommunicationdevicewhiledriving.
Forthefirstfivemonths(151days)thatanindividualunder18hashisorher
ProvisionalLicense,he/sheisnotpermittedtohaveanypassengersunderthe
ageof18unlesstheyareimmediatefamilymembersorthereisasupervising
licenseddriverinthecarwhoisovertheageof21andhashadtheirlicensefor
atleastthreeyears.

Sanctions

Whenanindividualundertheageof18receivesaProvisionalLicense,the
Parent/Guardiancosignermayhavethatlicensecancelledatanytime.The
licensewillremaincancelleduntiltheindividualturns18,ortheparentor
guardianrequeststhatthelicensebereinstated.
Ifaprovisionallicenseeisconvictedofacellphoneorwirelessdeviceviolation
orapassengerrestrictionviolation,theprovisionallicensemaybesuspended
for90days,thedrivermayaccrueaonepointpenaltyontheirdrivingrecord
andhavetorestartthe18monthwaitingperiod.
Inadditiontosanctionsimposedbythelocalcourtsystem,theMVAalso
enforcestheirownsanctions,consistingofadriverimprovementclassfora1st
convictionorProbationBeforeJudgment(PBJ),a30daylicensesuspensionfor
a2ndconvictionorPBJ,anda180daysuspensionfora3rdconvictionorPBJ.A
ProbationBeforeJudgmentmeansthatnopointsareassignedtoaviolation
unlessthedrivercommitsanotherviolation.
EffectiveOctober12009,theClerkofCourtisrequiredtoreporttotheMVA
anychildfoundtohavecommittedadelinquentactforeitherfailingtoremain
atthesceneofanaccidentorforeludingapoliceofficer.TheMVAisthen
mandatedtosuspendthelicenseofthechildforsixmonthsinthefirstinstance.
TheMVAmustsuspendtheprovisionallicenseofanindividualyoungerthan18
whoaccumulates5ormorepointsinatwelvemonthperiod.
Ifaprovisionallicenseholderyoungerthan18isguiltyofrecklessornegligent
driving,aggressivedriving,orengaginginarace,theMVAmustsuspendhis/her
licenseforsixmonthsinthefirstinstance.
C) FullLicense

Eligibility

Anindividualmustbeaminimumof18yearsold.
Anindividualmustpossessavalidprovisionallicenseforthe18monthperiod
immediatelyprecedingtheissuanceofthelicense.
Anindividualmustberevocationfree,suspensionfree,andconvictionfreeof
anymovingviolationforthatsame18monthperiod.

Restrictions

IMPORTANT:AsofOctober12009,alldriversareprohibitedfromusingatext
messagedevicetowriteorsendatextmessagewhileoperatingamotorvehicle
inmotionorinthetravelportionofaroadway.
Onceanindividualcompletesthe18monthprovisionallicenseperiod,theMVA
willmailoutanamendmentcardtoyourlicenseremovingtheprovisional
restrictions.Besuretokeepthiscardwithyourprovisionallicenseatalltimes,
anddiscarditwhenyourenewyourlicense.

10
Unit1Review
A) KeyConceptTerms
PracticeandSkillsLog
IDriveSmartAgreement
GraduatedLicensingSystem
ProvisionalLicense
OrganDonation
ProbationBeforeJudgment
PointSystem
RegistrationCard
InsuranceRequirements
LearnersPermit

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
11
B) ReviewQuestions

1. WhatdoallofyourIDriveSmartinstructors
haveincommon?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

2. Giveanexampleofbotharightanda
responsibilitythatyou,asadriver
educationstudent,haveinthestateof
Maryland?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________

3. Howmanyhoursofsuperviseddriving
practicemustyourecordinyourSkillsLog
toreceiveyourProvisionalLicense,and
howmanyofthosehoursneedtobeat
night?
____________________________________
___________________________________

4. Nameacircumstanceunderwhichyouare
allowedtouseacellphonewhileoperating
amotorvehiclewhileholdingaLearners
Permit?
____________________________________
____________________________________

5. Whenyouhaveyourprovisionallicense,
underwhatcircumstancesareyou
permittedtodriveindividualsundertheage
of18withoutalicenseddriverovertheage
of21?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
12

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Atwhattimeofthedayareyounot
permittedtodrivewithyourProvisional
DriversLicensewithoutalicensed
supervisorovertheageof21?
____________________________________
____________________________________

Trueorfalse:YouwillneedtovisittheMVA
toremovetheProvisionalRestrictionsfrom
yourlicenseonceyouqualifyforaFull
License.
________________________________

Trueorfalse:YouneedtocontacttheI
DriveSmartofficeinordertoreschedulea
classroomsessionthatyouneedtomake
up.
________________________________

Trueorfalse:Ifyouaccruefivepointson
yourProvisionalLicensewithinatwelve
monthperiod,yourlicensewillalwaysbe
suspended.
________________________________

Trueorfalse:Thesupplyoforgandonors
alreadymeetstheneedfortransplants,so
thereisnoreasontosignupforOrgan
Donation.
________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
UNITONETEST

Directions:Onthetestanswersheet,writetheletterforeachcorrectanswer.

Duringwhathoursisaprovisionallicenseholderundertheageof18authorizedtodrive
amotorvehicle?
A. From8a.m.until9:00p.m.
B. theycandriveanytime
C. from5a.m.tomidnight
D. Between6:00a.m.and6:00p.m.

Whenadriverundertheageofeighteenisdrivingamotorvehicle,he/sheisprohibited
fromusing
A. Acellphone.
B. Cellphoneandsendingtextmessages.
C. AGPSunit.
D. BothAandB.

Ifalearnerspermitholdercommitsamovingviolationduringhis/herlearnerspermit
period,he/she
A. Mustrestartthe9monthwaitingperiodtoreceiveaprovisionallicense.
B. Gotoadriverimprovementclass.
C. Waituntiltheyare21toreceiveadriverslicense.
D. Noneoftheabove.

Duringthefirst5months(151days)oftheprovisionalperiod,provisionallicense
holdersundertheageof18
A. Arenotallowedtohavepassengersundertheageof18,unlessaccompaniedby
aqualifiedsupervisingdriverorunlessthepassengersaredirectfamily
members.
B. Canonlyhavepassengersinthefrontseatwiththeirseatbeltson.
C. Canhaveasmanypassengersaswillfitintotheirvehicles.
D. Canonlyhavepassengersduringdaytimehours.

Onceyourparentcosignsforyourprovisionallicense,
A. Yourparentcannevertakeawayyourlicense.
B. YourparentcancancelyourlicensebywritingalettertotheMotorVehicle
Administrationrequestingthatyourlicensebecancelled.
C. He/shewillreceivepointsonhis/herdriverslicenseifyoucommitanoffense.
D. Noneoftheabove.

13

6. EffectiveOctober1,2009,ifyouareundertheageof21andarestoppedandfound
drivinginpossessionofalcohol,youwillchargedwitha
A. Civilcitation.
B. Criminalmisdemeanor.
C. Trafficticket.
D. Trafficwarning.

7. ApersonwhohasaLearnersPermit
A. Maydrivewiththesupervisionofanylicenseddriver.
B. Maydrivewithoutsomeonesupervisingthedriving.
C. Mustdrivewithaperson21orolderwhohasheldalicenseforatleast3years.
D. Mustdrivewithaperson18orolderwhohasheldalicenseforatleast2years.

8. _____HoursofpracticemustberecordedinthePracticeSkillsLog.
A. 60
B. 50
C. 40
D. 30

9. Whatistheleadingcauseofdeathamongyoungpeoplebetweentheagesof15and
20?
A. Suicide
B. Drowning
C. Murder
D. Motorvehiclecrashes

10. TogetyourprovisionallicenseinMaryland,
A. Youmustpassaskillstest.
B. Youmustcompletedrivereducation.
C. Youmustpassavisiontest.
D. A,BandCareallrequirementsforaMarylanddriverslicense.
14
Notes
15
Notes
16
Unit 2:
Introducing Operator and Vehicle Control
Tasks In a Controlled Environment
A) Before You Enter The Car

1) Pre-Entry Checklist

2) Safety Devices

3) V
ehicle Safety Equipment
Repair Order Certification
B) In The Drivers Seat

1) Control and Information Systems

2) Comfort and Convenience Devices

3) Pre-Driving Checklist
C) Your Car In Motion

1) Starting Your Engine

2) The Basics of Steering

3) Entering the Roadway

4) Reversing

5) M
oving to the Curb and
Preparing to Park
D) State Vehicle Laws In Maryland
17
Unit2:IntroducingOperatorVehicleControl
TasksInAControlledEnvironment
BeforeYouEntertheCar
Introduction

Drivinganautomobilemayseemlikea
dauntingtasktoanovicedriver.Itiseasytofeel
intimidatedbythesheernumberofbuttons,
switches,anddevicesatyourdisposalinthe
driversseat.Haveyoueverwonderedwhat
thatstrangelightthatappearsonyourparents
dashboardsymbolizes,orhowcruisecontrol
actuallyworks?Asyouworkyourwaythrough
thisDriverEducationcourse,thisbookwill
attempttoexplaindrivingconceptsinaclear
andconciseway,andapproachthoseconcepts
fromtheperspectiveofanovicedriver.Using
thisbookinconjunctionwiththetrainingof
yourIDSinstructor,youwillbecomeequipped
withthetoolsnecessarytofeelcompetentand
confidentbehindthewheelofyourfirstcar.

1) PreEntryChecklist

Likemanyteendrivers,youmightfeel
eagertograbyourkeys,getinthedriversseat,
andfindoutwhatthisdrivingthingisallabout.
However,toanexperienceddriver,theactof
operatingamotorvehiclestartslongbefore
he/shegetsbehindthewheel.Youshouldnever
driveunlessyouareinboththeproperphysical
conditionandtheproperstateofmind.For
instance,ifyoujustpulledanallnighter
studyingforanexamandhaventsleptfor
twentyfourhours,youwillnotbealertenough
toeffectivelyoperateyourvehicle.Likewise,if
youaredistraughtoverarecentfightwithyour
boy/girlfriend,drivingisnotgoodidea.You
shouldneverletyouremotionsinfluencethe
wayyoudrive.
Whendrivingtoanunfamiliarlocation,
itisimperativetomapoutyourroutebefore
youstarttodrive.Attemptingtofindyourway
whileontheroadisadangerousdistraction
thatwilltakeyoureyesofftheroadinfrontof
you.Evenifyouaredrivingtoalocationyou
havevisitedmanytimes,itmaybeworthwhile
tocheckatrafficreportbeforehandtomonitor
18
foraccidents,construction,andother
circumstancesthatmaychangeyourroute.
Onceyouhaveyourrouteplanned,itis
timetoapproachyourvehicle.Itisessential
thatyoudevelopaPreEntryRoutinethatyou
willfolloweachtimeyoupreparetoenteryour
vehicle.Whilethiswilldifferslightlyforeach
driver,therearecertainpracticestowhich
everyoneshouldadhere.Theareaaroundthe
carshouldbeexaminedforanythingunusual,
suchasbrokenmetalorglass(whichcould
damageyourtires),leakingfluids,smallchildren
oranimals,anddamagetothecar.Ifyounotice
anythingunusual,youmustdecidewhetheritis
aproblemthatyoucanfixyourself,orwhether
itwillneedtoberepairedelsewhere.Itis
alwaysbetter,ifyouareunsure,toseek
professionalhelpindeterminingwhetherthe
problemisseriousornot.Iftheautomobileisin
workingorder,takespecialnoteoftheblind
areasthatexisttotheleftandrightofyourcar.
Sinceitwillbedifficulttoviewtheseareasfrom
insidethecar,makesurethattheyareclearof
hazardsbeforeyouenter.Finally,itisalwaysa
goodideawhenparkedonthesideofastreet
toapproachthedriverssidedoorfromthe
frontofthecar,asthiswillgiveyouagood
vantagepointtoobserveoncomingtraffic.
Toreview,youshouldalwaysdothe
followingthingsbeforeenteringyourcar:

Ensurethatyouareintheproperstate
ofmindandphysicalcondition
Mapoutyourprimaryroute,andhavea
secondaryrouteinmindincaseof
unforeseencircumstances
Examinetheareaaroundthecarfor
smallchildrenandpets,objectsthat
coulddamageyourcar,orleaking
fluids.
Checkyourtirestoensurethatthereis
properairpressure
Checktoseeiftheblindspotsaround
thecararefreefromdebris.
Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment
Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control

Tasks In A Controlled Environment
2) Safety Devices
Consider for a moment whether you
know anyone who has been in a car accident.
Since there are over six million vehicular
accidents reported each year in the United
States alone, the chances are that you have.
The reality is that accidents happen, so
automobiles are now designed with devices to
keep todays drivers safer than those of the
past. These range from devices that you hear
about every day, such as seatbelts and air bags,
to those that you may not even consider to be
designed for your safety, such as a padded
dashboard and a collapsible steering column.
Even before you enter your car, it is essential
that you have a working knowledge of each of
these devices. As they say, safety first!
The most basic safety feature of any
automobile is still its most effective: the safety
belt. Remember: wearing a seatbelt is not an
option in Maryland it is the law. Every
occupant is required to be belted. After
fastening your seatbelt, ensure that the lap belt
is snug across your hips, and pull the shoulder
strap tightly over your outside shoulder and
diagonally across your chest. By wearing your
seatbelt in this way, the lap portion will hold
you in your seat during a collision, while the
shoulder strap helps to keep your upper body
from making contact with the dashboard,
steering column, and windshield. Not only does
this practice only come in handy during a
collision, the tautness of the safety belt will
force you to keep your seat in the upright
position and help you to maintain a good
driving posture. Finally, it is your responsibility
as the driver to make sure that your passengers
are wearing their safety belts. It is good practice
to get into the habit of telling your passengers
to wear their seatbelts each and every time that
you enter your vehicle.
As mentioned above, you ought to
always keep your seat back in the upright
position while driving. Likewise, your seat
should always be situated in order that you can
see comfortably over the steering wheel and so
that your right leg is able to reach the floor
underneath the brake pedal while still slightly

bent. You should never need to stretch your leg
to reach the pedals. Your left leg should be
positioned on the dead pedal (footrest) to the
left of the brake pedal. Next, adjust the steering
wheel position downward so that, in the event
of a collision, the air bag will deploy properly
into your chest instead of toward your head.
Finally, if your head restraint in your vehicle is
adjustable, ensure that it is positioned directly
behind your head. A head restraint that is
placed too low can help contribute to whiplash
during a collision, as the passengers body is
pushed forward while their head snaps
backward.
Air bags, designed to cushion the
impact between the occupant and the interior
of the vehicle frequently come standard in most
modern cars, and are located in the steering
wheel, dashboard, and door frame. The exact
location of the air bags is different for every
automobile model, so take the time to
familiarize yourself with their position in your
car. Because air bags will deploy in only a
fraction of a second with a substantial amount
of force, no passenger under the age of twelve
should be allowed to ride in the front seat. Do
not imagine that the presence of air bags
reduces the need to wear your safety belt: air
bags are designed to protect people who are
wearing their seatbelts properly. Those
passengers not wearing their seatbelts are likely
to be at risk of injury from the force of the
deploying air bag, since it is very likely that they
will be pushed forward by the braking that
inevitably takes place before a collision. For
best results, you should keep a minimum of ten
inches between their chest and the steering
wheel.
Since most safety devices in
automobiles are designed with adults in mind,
there are specific measures that a driver must
take in order to guarantee the safety of infants
and young children. While children invariably
wish to sit in the front seat, the safest position
for them is always to remain in the back seat.
Children that weigh less than twenty pounds
and are less than a year old should always be

21
19
secured a rear-facing seats that are held in

place by a seatbelt. Once a child is over a year
old and weighs between twenty and forty
pounds, they are able to ride in a forward-facing
child safety seat installed according to the
manufacturers directions. For children too big
for standard child safety seats yet still too small
for standard safety belts, there are many types
of booster seats available. Finally, whenever
you are driving with a child in the backseat,
instead of turning around to check on them,
make use of your rear-view mirror. Turning
around will take your eyes off the road in front
of you and put both you and your young
passenger at risk. If the child needs your
attention, pull to the side of the road and turn
off the car.
A number of other safety devices also
come standard in most modern cars. Anti-Lock
Braking Systems can prevent a wheel from
locking up by automatically releasing and
applying the brake, allowing the driver to
maintain steering instead of sliding towards an
obstacle. Improved windshield wipers can help
to increase visibility on rainy days, while
windshields composed of tempered glass are
exponentially tougher than normal glass, and
do not shatter into sharp pieces when they do
fail. Finally, your headlights can help to increase
your own visibility while also making your car
more noticeable to other drivers. Your high
beams can increase visibility even further in
poorly lit places, but it is important to refrain
from using around oncoming traffic, as they can
be blinding. On foggy days, while you may be
tempted to use your brights, it is safer to use
your regular beams, since the fog will reflect the
bright light of your high beams back into your
own eyes.
To review, you should familiarize
yourself with the following safety features in
your car:
Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control

Tasks In A Controlled Environment
Anti-Lock Brakes
3) Safety Equipment Repair Order

If you happen to get pulled over in
Maryland because of malfunctioning brake
lights, the officer might give you a notice of
infraction called a Safety Equipment Repair
Order (SERO). While this may look like a
citation, it is not. It is simply an order requiring
that the malfunctioning safety equipment be
repaired within ten days. The vehicle owner is
then responsible for getting the car inspected,
and mailing a copy of the repair order to the
Maryland State Police Automotive Equipment
Division, along with the signature of the vehicle
equipment inspector. Many easy to see
repairs may be inspected by any Maryland
police officer, although more specialized repairs
(wheel alignment, suspension, etc.) must be
inspected at a Maryland Authorized Inspection
Station. Failure to comply with this order results
in the suspension of the cars registration.
While you may feel as though a SERO is a
punishment, an officer is also able to give you a
citation for a violation of safety equipment
laws. It is best to think of a SERO as an officer
being lenient, and to return the favor by getting
your automobile repaired immediately.
Safety Belts
Seat and Steering Wheel Positioning
Head Restraints
Air Bags
Child Safety Seats
20
22
IntheDriversSeat

1) ControlandInformationSystems

Imaginethatyougetinyourcarone
afternoon,turnthekeyintheignition,butthe
enginesputtersandfails.Youtryagain,but
achievethesameresult.Youronlycluetothe
malfunctionisaredindicatoronthedashboard
thatlookslikearectanglewitha+ononeside
andaontheother.Whenyouwalkinsideyour
housetotellyourparentsthatthecarwillnot
start,yourfatheraskswhattheproblemis.
Wouldyouknowwhattotellhim?
Similarly,imaginethatyouareridingas
apassengerwithyourolderbrother,butthe
engineseemstokeepgrindingashestartsto
pickupspeed.AredindicatorthatreadsBRAKE
appearsintheinstrumentpanel,soyour
brotherdoestheresponsiblethingandapplies
thebrake.Whenhetriestoregainspeed,the
enginegrindsagain.Whatisyourbrother
missing?
Theanswertothesedilemmasand
manyotherscanbefoundbyknowingthe
functionandusebehindthemanygaugesand
indicatorsappearingontheinstrumentpanel
behindyoursteeringwheel.Thisisyourfirst
lineofinformationintohowyourvehicleis
operatingandwhatproblemsmayexist.
Generally,indicatorsthatappearyellowor
amberdenoteawarning,whilethosethatare
redsignifyanimmediatedanger.Itisgood
practicetorepairaproblemthatresultsina
yellowindicatorasquicklyaspossible,lestit
willsoonappearasamoreseriousmalfunction.
Followingisalistofitemsthatappear
commonlyonthedashboardsofvehicles.While
youshouldcommiteachofthesetomemory
beforeyoubegindriving,theownersmanualof
eachvehicleyoudriveshouldalsobeconsulted
todetectanyslightvariationsthatexist.

21
Inadditiontothosefeaturesdisplayed
onthesteeringwheelanddashboard,other
operationalandcontroldevicesarelocated
throughoutthecar.Themostobviousofthese
aretheacceleratorpedalandbrakepedal
locatednearthedriversrightfoot.The
acceleratorpedal,thenarrowpedalonthe
right,controlsthespeedofthecar.Thebrake
pedal,ontheleft,controlstheservicebrake
anddecreasesspeed.Bothofthesepedals
shouldbecontrolledbytheballoftheright
foot.Itisnotpropertousetheleftfootto
controlthebrake.Oncarswithamanual
transmission,athirdpedalexiststotheleftof
thebrake:theclutchpedal.Byfullydepressing
thispedal,themotorbecomesdisengagedfrom
thetransmission,allowingthedrivertoshift
gears.Thispedalmustalsobefullydepressedin
ordertostarttheengine.Incontrasttothe
acceleratorandbrakepedals,thispedalshould
beoperatedusingtheballoftheleftfoot.
Manycarsnowcomeequippedwitha
cruisecontroldevice,whichallowsthedriverto
maintainaconstantspeedabove30mph
withoutdepressingtheacceleratorpedal.These
devicesareusuallypositionedonoraroundthe
steeringwheel,andcontaintheoptions
on/off,set/accelerate,coast,and
resume.Toactivecruisecontrol,adriver
mustturnthesystemon,accelerateor
deceleratetothedesiredspeed,andpress
set.Todisengagethesystem,youneedonly
tapthebrakepedalorpushtheoffbuttonon
thecruisecontroldevice.Alwaysbecertainto
usecruisecontrolinaresponsibleandsafe
manner,andonlyinsituationsthatyoumay
maintainasetspeedforanextendedperiod.
Anovicedrivershouldfamiliarize
him/herselfwiththegearselector,located
eitheronthesteeringcolumnoronaconsole
locatedbetweenthefrontseats.Thistool
allowsthedrivertochangethegearofthe
transmission.Thegearselectorwilllookvery
differentdependingonwhetherthecarhasan
automaticormanual(standard)transmission.
Thefollowingchartsshowtheusualgears
presentonanautomatictransmissiongear
22
selectorandamanualtransmissiongear
selector,respectively.

AutomaticTransmission

Symbol
GearandDescription
Neutral;theengineisnot
connectedtothedrivewheels;
thevehiclewillroll
st
1 gear;theenginewillnot
1
shifttoanyhighergear;useful
forpullingheavyloads
nd
2 gear;theenginewillnot
2
shifttoanyhighergear;useful
indrivinginmudandsnow
Drive;allowsthetransmission
D
toselectgear;usefornormal
cruising
Park;locksthetransmission
P
andpreventsrolling;mustbein
Parktoturnofftheengine
Reverse;mustbeatacomplete
R
stoptoengage;usetobackthe
vehicle

ManualTransmission

Symbol
GearandDescription
N
N
1
2
3
4
Neutral;theshiftermoves
easilyfromlefttoright
st
1 gear;thelowestandmost
powerfulgear;usefroma
stoppedpositionto10mph;
usefulforpullingheavyloads
2ndgear;usefromspeeds
between10and20mph;useful
fordrivinginsnowandmud
3rdgear;useforspeeds
between25and3540mph
4thgear;useforspeedsabove
40mph
5
5thgear;useforhighwayand
expressway;savesfuel
R
Reverse;useforbackingthe
vehicle;onlyshifttoReverse
whenatacompletestop

Somepeoplerefertotheparkingbrake
astheemergencybrake,buttheprimary
functionofthisdeviceissimplytokeepthe
vehiclefrommovingwhileparked.Theparking
brakeisusuallylocatedasapedaltothefarleft
ofthebrakepedal,orasaleverlocatedinthe
centerconsoleofthecar,betweenthetwo
frontseats.Ifthenormalbrakingsystemfails
whileinmotion,itispossibletostopthevehicle
byengagingtheparkingbrakewhile
simultaneouslyapplyingtheparkingbrake
release.Thiswilltakelongertostopthecar
thanthenormalservicebrakes,andshouldnot
beusedexceptinanemergencysituation.

2) Communication,Comfort,andConvenience
Devices

Apartfromthosetoolsmentioned
abovewhichdirectlycontroldrivingan
automobile,otherapparatusespositioned
aroundthecararerequiredforthedriverto
haveasafe,comfortable,andconvenienttrip.
Thinkbacktowhenwediscussedcheckingthe
blindspotsaroundthecarbeforeentry.The
mosteffectivewaytoseebehindandtothe
sideofyourvehicleistomakeuseofbothyour
sideviewandrearviewmirrors.Dependingon
yourcar,youcaneitheradjustthesemirrors
manuallyorwithanelectricremotecontrol
withinthevehicle.Traditionalsideviewmirrors
werepositionedtoallowthedrivertoseethe
backedgeofhisorhercar.Recently,however,
studieshaveshownthatthiseffectivelylimitsa
driversabilitytoseetothesidesofhiscar.
Therefore,EnhancedMirrorSettingswere
developed,inwhichtherearviewmirroristhe
primarytoolforadrivertoseebehindhiscar,
andthesideviewmirrorsarepushedfarther
outwardinordertoincreasevisibilityonthe
sidesofthecar.Itisimportanttonotethatthis
doesnoteliminateblindspots,butmerely
reducesthem,soyouwillstillneedtoperform
headchecks.
Theinevitablenextstepforayoung
driveristowonderwhenitisappropriateand
importanttousetheirmirrors.Ingeneral,and
withanunderstandingthateverysituationis
uniqueandmaycallforadifferentapproach,
youshoulduseyourmirrorsinthefollowing
instances:

Anytimethatyoumustchangeyour
speedorposition(suchaschanging
lanesonahighway),takeaccountof
thecarsaroundyoubyglancingatyour
threemirrors,butdonotforgetto
performheadchecks.
Whenpreparingtostop,directyour
eyestoyourrearviewmirror,andtap
gentlyonthebrakepedaltwicetoalert
trailingdriversthatyouarepreparingto
stop.
Whenmakingaturn,alwayscheckeach
mirrortoensurethatyouhavethe
properamountofspacetomakethe
turn.
Ifyouhavetocheckyourblindspots
whenusingyourmirrors,everyother
driverontheroadmustdothesame.
Sinceyoucanneverbecertainthat
thereisasafedriverbesideyou,you
shouldmakeitahabittoneverdrivein
anotherdriversblindspot.

3) PreDrivingChecklist

Youareintheproperframeofmindand
physicalconditionfordriving.Youhaveyour
routeplanned.Youhavecheckedthearea
surroundingyourcar,anditisfreeofdebris.
Youenteryourcar.Beforestartingtheengine,
youshouldfollowthesesimplestepstoensure
thatyouwillhaveasafetrip:

Lockyourdoorstoguardagainst
intrudersandsothattheydonotopen
duringacollision.
Insertyourkeyintheignitiontofree
yourhands,butdontstarttheengine.
Adjustyourseatproperly,asdiscussed
above.
Adjustyourrearandsideviewmirrors
formaximumvisibility.
Fastenyourownseatbeltandhaveyour
passengersdothesame.
23
TheCarinMotion
1) StartingYourEngine

Gettingalicenseisoneofthemost
memorablemomentsofanadolescentslife.
Theabilitytodriveanautomobilepresentsthe
teenagerwithanunprecedenteddegreeof
freedomandmobility.However,beforeyouare
abletotakeadvantageofthisfreedom,you
mustfirstmasterthebasicoperational
maneuversofyourvehicle.

AccordingtothePreDrivingChecklist
outlinedabove,thekeytoyourcarshould
alreadybeintheignition.Whilestartingyour
car,theparkingbrakeshouldalwaysbe
engaged.Foracarwithanautomatic
transmission,thecarmustbeinPARK
(although,formostnewcars,youwillnotbe
abletoturnyourcaroffunlessitisinPARK).In
thecaseofamanualtransmission,thecarmust
beinNEUTRALandtheclutchpedalmustbe
fullydepressedbeforestarting.Withyourfoot
securelyonthebrakepedal,turnthekeyinthe
ignitiontotheONposition,andcheckthe
gaugesandindicatorsonyourinstrument
panel.Ifeverythingisinworkingorder,proceed
toturntheignitionswitchtotheSTART
position.Onceyouheartheenginerev,release
holdofthekey.Neverholdthekeyinthe
STARTpositionformorethanafewseconds.If
theenginedoesnotstart,simplyreleasethe
keyandattempttorestartintensecondsorso.
Theindicatorlightsontheinstrumentpanel
shouldeachturnoffoncetheengineison,
indicatingproperoperation.Thebrakelightwill
remainon,asyoushouldstillhavetheparking
brakeengagedatthispoint.Atthispoint,turn
onlowbeamheadlightsifnecessary,and
conductafinalchecktoensurethatyouare
preparedtodrive.
NOTE:Inextremelylowtemperature
conditions,ifyouareunabletostartyour
engine,turningonyourheadlightsbeforethe
engineisstartedwillhelptotriggerelectrical
activityinyourbattery.Whileturningthe
ignitionswitchtoSTART,pressyourfootlightly
24
againstthegaspedal.Asyourenginestarts,
removeyourfootfromtheacceleratorand
returnittothebrake.Allowtheenginetowarm
upbeforetryingtodrive.

2) TheBasicsofSteering

Imaginethesteeringwheelasaclock.Thevery
topofthewheelwillbe12oclock,theright
edgeoclock,thebottomofthewheel6oclock,
andtheleftedge9oclock.Youmayhaveheard
aparentoranotherolderdriverspeakof
grippingthesteeringwheelat10and2.For
manyyears,thispositionwaspreferredbecause
itallowsforthedrivertomaintainafirmgrip
andpropershoulderbalance.However,with
theadventofmodernairbagtechnology,
holdingyourhandsconstantlyonthetophalfof
thewheelcancontributetoanyinjuriescaused
bytheairbag.Holdingthesteeringwheelwith
yourrighthandbetween4and5oclockand
yourlefthandbetween7and8oclockwill
lowerthebodyscenterofgravityandreduce
unintendedsteeringwheelreversals,andthus
isthepreferredmethod.Thisconfigurationalso
hasthebenefitofminimizingachesandpains
associatedwithdriving.Whenturningthe
wheelfromthisposition,youshouldusehand
tohand(push/pull)steering,whichinvolves
turningthewheelwithaslidinghandmotion.
Forexample,ifyouneedtomakearighthand
turn,begintoturnthewheeltotheright.Once
therighthandreachesthebottomofthewheel,
slideitbacktoitsusualpositionaround4
oclock.Oncethismoveiscompleted,yourleft
handshouldbereturnedtoitsnormalposition.
Thistechniqueensuresthatonehandisalways
onthesteeringwheeltomaintainaffirm
steeringgrip,andallowsforsmoothsteering
fromtheneutralpositionatalltimes.Attimes
whensharpandquicksteeringisnecessary,
suchasintheeventofskidrecovery,orifyou
areholdingthewheelatthe10and2
position,youmaywishtousehandoverhand
steering.Again,duringarighthandturn,both
handswillbegintosteerthewheeltotheright.
Oncetherighthandmovespast4oclock,
releaseitfromthewheelandgripthewheelat
12oclock.Ifthisisdoneproperly,yourright
handwillnowbecrossedoveryourleftarm.
Next,continuetheturnwithyourrighthand
whileyourlefthandreturnstoitsnormal
position.Handoverhandsteeringallowsthe
drivertoturnthewheelquickerthanhandto
handsteeringallows,butthedrawbackisthat
twohandsarenotalwaysonthewheelduring
thelengthoftheturn.

3) EnteringtheRoadway

UsethegearselectortoshiftfromPARK
totheappropriategear,whetherDRIVEor
REVERSE.Withyourfootfirmlyonthebrake
pedal,youmaynowreleasetheparkingbrake.
Takeamomenttorecheckyourmirrors,and
thenconductatrafficchecktotherear,front,
andsidesofyourvehicle.Activateyoursignalto
giveotherdriversandpedestriansawarningof
youranticipatedaction.Finally,simplyselectan
appropriategapinthetraffic,slowlyreleasethe
brakepedal,andsteertothedesiredlane.As
youproceedforward,depressthegaspedal
slowlytoaccelerateandentertraffic.Alwaysbe
mindfultocancelyourturnsignalonceyour
maneuverhasbeencompleted.
Onceyouhaveenteredtheroadway,it
isimportanttokeepyoureyesontheroadin
frontofyou.Yourgazeshouldfocusoutward,
wellinfrontofyourvehicle.Keepingyoureyes
ontheroadwithintenyardsofyourcarwill
limityourfieldavision,andwillnotallowyou
toreactaccordinglytoobstacles.Assoonasyou
shifttotheappropriategear,yourhandsshould
beplacedonthewheelnear4oclockand8
oclock.

4) Reversing

Becausegoinginreversecomprises
suchasmallportionofallthedrivingthatyou
willbedoing,itwouldbeeasytooverlookitin
youreducation.Thiswouldbeamistake.
Visibilityisdecreasedoutsidetherearofyour
vehicle,soyoushouldbecertaintoexercise
considerablecautioneachtimeyouprepareto
backup.Also,thesteeringofyourvehicleis
verysensitivewheninreverseyouwillnot
needtomovethewheelveryfarinorderto
reachyourintendedcourse.
Whenpreparedtoreverse,placeyour
footonthebrakepedalandshiftyourgear
selectortoREVERSE,makingsurethatyourseat
positionandthealignmentofyourseatbeltdo
notpreventyoufromturningaround.Ifbacking
straight,placeyourlefthandat12oclockon
thewheel,anddrapeyourrighthandoverthe
passengersseat.Ifbackingintoaturn,keep
bothhandsonthewheel,andturnyourheadin
thedirectionofyourturn.Whenbacking,turn
thesteeringwheelinthedirectionwhichyou
wishtherearofyourcartogo.Conductyour
usualtrafficcheckstoallsidesofyourvehicle,
and(withtheparkingbrakedisengaged)ease
yourrightfootoffofthebrakepedal.Forthe
mostpart,youshouldsimplyallowyourcarto
driftbackwardsatanidlespeedwhilekeeping
yourfootgentlyonthebreak.Atthemost,you
shouldonlyneedtodepresstheaccelerator
gently.Rememberthatyoursteeringwillbe
sensitive,soyouwillonlyneedtomakeminor
steeringadjustmentswhileinreverse.Asyou
completeyourmaneuver,applysteadypressure
tothebrakepedal,andkeepyoureyestothe
rearuntilyourvehiclecomestoacomplete
stop.Itisessentialthatyoudonottrytoshift
gearsfromREVERSEtoDRIVEuntilthecarisno
longerinmotion.

5) MovingToTheCurbandParking

Onceyoureachyourdestination,you
mustidentifyasafeandlegalplacetopark.
Onceyouhaveselectedaplace,checkyour
mirrorsandblindspotsforcarstoyourrearand
side.Activateyourturnsignalandtapyour
brakeslightlytowarnanyvehiclesbehindyou
thatyouwillbecomingtoahalt.Takeyourfoot
offtheacceleratorandsteadilyapplypressure
tothebrakepedaltothepointofresistance.As
youdecreasespeed,steertowardyourparking
destination,applyingmorepressuretothe
25
brakeasnecessary.Onceyouhavereached
yourparkingspace,deactivateyourturning
signal.

Onlyafteryouhavecometoacomplete
stopshouldyouengageyourparkingbrake.
ShiftyourgearselectorfromtheDRIVEposition
tothePARKposition.Youwillnotbeableto
turnofftheengineunlessthetransmissionisin
PARK.Checkyourdashboardindicatorstomake

surethatyourcarisstillinpropercondition.
Alwaysbecertainthatyourheadlightsareoff,
asleavingthemonwilldrainyourcarbattery.
Finally,turnyourkeytotheOFFposition,and
removeitfromtheignition.Checkthetrafficto
therearandsidesofyourvehicletomakesure
itissafetoopenthedoors,andexityour
vehicle,makingsuretolockyourdoorsonce
theyareallclosed.
StateVehicleLawsinMaryland

Readingacollectionofdrivinglawsis
slow,tediouswork.Thelanguagecanbe
archaic,andthewritingdry.Unfortunately,itis
simplytooeasytobreakthelawwhenonedoes
notevenknowthelaw.Therefore,weatIDrive
Smartbelievethatthereissimplyno
replacementforastudentgainingfamiliarity
withthedrivingstatutesthemselves.
Consequently,manyoftheseimportantlaws
arepresentedforyouhere,ineasyto
understand,straightforwardlanguage.When
youhaveafewsparemoments,takethetime
tocommittheselawstomemory.Ifyoudoso,
youwillhaveaheadstartinpreparingforyour
driverstestandforbeingontheroadby
yourself.

22402

Everymotorvehiclewithaninternal
combustionengineshallbeequipped
withanexhaustmufflersystemingood
workingorderandinconstant
operationtopreventexcessiveor
unusualnoise.
Apersonmaynotuseontheexhaustor
tailpipeofamotorvehicleany
extensionorotherdevicetocause
excessiveorunusualnoise.
Nomotorvehiclemaybeoperated,nor
maytheownerorlesseeofamotor
vehiclepermitittobeoperated,onany
highwayinthisStateunlesstheengine
26
powerandexhaustmechanismis
equipped,adjusted,andoperatedto
preventthedischargeofclearlyvisible
smokefromtheexhaustandthe
dischargeofsmokefromanyotherpart
oftheengine.
Amotorvehicleenginemaynotbe
allowedtooperateformorethan5
consecutiveminuteswhenthevehicleis
notinmotion,exceptasfollows:
x Whenavehicleisforcedtoremain
motionlessbecauseoftraffic
conditionsormechanicaldifficulties
overwhichtheoperatorhasno
control.
x Whenitisnecessarytooperate
heatingandcoolingorauxiliary
equipmentinstalledonthevehicle.
x Tobringthevehicletothe
manufacturersrecommended
operatingtemperature.
x Whenitisnecessarytoaccomplish
theintendeduseofthevehicle.

22406

WindshieldNonreflectivetintis
allowedonthetop5inchesofthe
windshield.
Frontsidewindows,backsidewindows,
andrearwindowMustallowmore
than35%oflightin.
RestrictedColorsThetintcolorsof
RED,AMBER,andYELLOWarenotlegal
Iftherearwindowistinted,dualside
mirrorsarerequired.
Manufacturersoftintingfilmneedto
certifythefilmtheysellinthestateof
Maryland.
Thestickertoidentifylegaltintingis
requiredbetweenthefilm&glasson
eachtintedwindow.
TheStateofMarylandallowsmedical
exemptionsforspecialtint.

22401Horn

Everymotorvehiclewhenoperatedon
ahighwayshallbeequippedwitha
horningoodworkingorderandcapable
ofemittingsoundaudibleundernormal
conditionsfromadistanceofnotless
than200feet,butnohornorother
warningdevicemayemitan
unreasonablyloudorharshsoundor
whistle.
Thedriverofamotorvehicleshall,
whenreasonablynecessarytoinsure
safeoperation,giveaudiblewarning
withhishornbutmaynototherwise
usethehornwhenonahighway.
Novehiclemaybeequippedwith,nor
mayanydriverofamotorvehicleusea
siren,whistle,orbell,exceptas
otherwisepermittedinthissection.

211101

Apersondrivingorotherwiseincharge
ofamotorvehiclemaynotleaveit
unattendeduntiltheengineisstopped,
theignitionlocked,thekeyremoved,
andthebrakeeffectivelyset.
Apersondrivingorotherwiseincharge
ofamotorvehiclemaynotleavethe
motorvehicleunattendeduntil,ifthe
vehicleisonagrade,thefrontwheels
areturnedtothecurborsideofthe
highway.
Whenacatordogisleftinthe
unattendedvehicleofanondutylaw
enforcementofficerorananimal
controlofficer,theprovisionsofthis
sectiondonotapplytothelaw
enforcementofficerortheanimal
controlofficer.

22412(MandatorySeatBeltLaw)

Thelawcoversthedriverandthefront
seatpassengernexttothedoor,ifthe
passengerisatleast16yearsofage.
Marylandslawallowsprimary
enforcement,forexample,policemay
stopavehicleandissuecitationsto
violatorssolelyforviolatingtheseat
beltlaw.Boththedriverandanadult
passengermayreceiveticketsfornot
wearingseatbelts.
ExemptionstotheMaryland
MandatorySeatBeltLawinclude:
x Thosedriversthathaveamedical
certificatefromadoctorstatinga
medicalreasonfornotusingtheir
seatbelt.
x DriversofClassL(historical)motor
vehicles.
Marylandschildsafetyseatlawwent
intoeffectJune30,2008.Thisrequires
thatallchildrenyoungerthaneight
yearsofagebesecuredinafederally
approvedchildsafetyseataccordingto
thesafetyseatandvehicle
manufacturersinstructions,unlessthe
childis4feet9inchesortaller,or
weighsmorethan65pounds.Thechild
restraintmustberightforthechilds
size,age,andweight.
Apersonmaynottransportachild
youngerthan16yearsofageunlessthe
childissecuredinachildsafetyseator
avehiclesseatbelt.
Achildyoungerthan16yearsmaynot
rideinanunenclosedcargobedofa
pickuptruck.
Avehiclecanbestoppedandthedriver
issuedacitationforviolationofthese
laws.Currentlythefinesforfailingto
buckleupchildrenandforallowinga
27
childtorideinanunenclosedcargo
truckbedare$48and$50,respectively.

22405

Apersonmaynotdriveamotorvehicle
onanyhighwayunlessthemotor
vehicleisequippedwithtiresinsafe
operatingcondition,inaccordancewith
requirementsapprovedbythe
administrator.
Apersonmaynotdriveatraileronany
highwayunlessthetrailerisequipped
withtiresinsafeoperatingcondition,in
accordancewithrequirements
approvedbytheadministrator.
Theadministratorshalladoptrulesof
safeoperatingconditionscapableof
28
beingemployedbyapoliceofficerfor
visualinspectionoftiresmaintainedon
vehicles,includingvisualcomparisons
withsimplemeasuringdevices.The
requirementsshallencompasseffects
ontreadwearanddepthoftread.
Ifapoliceofficer,atanytime,has
reasonablecausetobelievethata
vehicleisunsafeorequippedwithtires
inviolationoftheprovisionsofthis
section,thepoliceofficermayrequire
thedriverofthevehicletostopand
submitthevehicletiretoinspection.If
theinspectiondisclosesthevehicleto
beinviolation,theofficermayissuea
summonsfortheviolation.
Unit2Review
1) KeyConceptTerms

BlindAreas
AirBags
DeadPedal
PreDrivingRoutine
EquipmentRepairOrder
HandoverhandSteering
SafetyBelt
AntiLockBrakes
GearSelector
ClutchPedal
HandtohandSteering
ParkingBrake
EnhancedMirrorSettings
HeadRestraint
CruiseControl

2) ReviewQuestions

1. Whatisthefirstthingthatyoushoulddoas
6. Listthegearsavailableonacarequipped
youapproachyourvehicle?
withanautomatictransmission,andstate
____________________________________
eachgearspurpose.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

____________________________________
2. Whyshouldyounotfocusontheground
____________________________________
immediatelyinfrontofyourcarwhileyou
____________________________________
aredriving?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

____________________________________
7. Whatisthemaindifferencebetween

traditionalmirrorsettingandEnhanced
3. Trueorfalse:Theclutchpedalonlyexistsin
MirrorSettings?
carsthatareequippedwithamanual
____________________________________
transmission.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

4. Howshouldyouholdthesteeringwheel
8. Trueorfalse:Theprimaryfunctionofthe
whenyoudrive,andwhatmethodof
devicecommonlyreferredtoasthe
steeringshouldyouusuallyemploy?
emergencybrakeistostopthecarincase
____________________________________
thebrakesfailduringdriving.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

9. Whenpositioningyourseat,howmuch
5. Inwhatsituationsisitappropriatetouse
distanceshouldbeleftbetweenyourchest
cruisecontrol?
andthebottomofthesteeringwheel?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

10. Trueorfalse:IfanofficergivesyouaSafety

EquipmentRepairOrder,hecanalso

presentyouwithacitation.
________________________________

29
11. AccordingtoMarylandlaw,howmuchlight
mustawindowallowinforthetinttobe
consideredlegal?
____________________________________

12. Concerningthetransmission,whatsortof
drivingis1stgearusefulfor,bothincars
withanautomatictransmissionandthose
withastandardtransmission?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

13. WhatareafewexceptionstotheMaryland
MandatorySeatBeltlaw?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

14. Describethestepsyoushouldtakeifyou
arehavingtroublestartingyourcarin
extremelycoldweather.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

15. Whatfootshouldyouuseinorderto
controltheacceleratorpedal,brakepedal,
andclutchpedal,respectively?
Accelerator:__________________________
Clutch:______________________________
Brake:______________________________

30
16. Whatistheproperhandpositionwhenyou
arebackingstraightup?
____________________________________
____________________________________

17. Whenleavingavehicleunattended,which
shouldthedriverdofirst:engagethe
parkingbrake,orplacethetransmissionin
PARK?
____________________________________
____________________________________

18. Givethree(3)examplesofacontroland
informationsymbol,anddescribethe
functionofeach:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

19. Ifyouaredrivinganautomobilewitha
manualtransmission,whatgearshouldthe
transmissionbeinwhenyouarestarting
thecar?
____________________________________

20. Shouldthedoorsofyourcarbelockedor
unlockedwhileyouaredriving?Why?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

21. Shouldaninfantbecarriedinthelapofan
adultorinanapprovedchildsafetyseat?
Why?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
UNIT2TEST

Directions:Ontheanswersheet,providethecorrectanswertoeachquestion.

Adrivershouldadjusttheseattohaveaminimumof____inchesbetweenthechestandthe
steeringwheel.
A. 6
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12

Whenbackingup,
A. Turnthesteeringwheelinthedirectionyouwantthebackofthecartogo.
B. Turnthesteeringwheeltwiceasmuchaswhenmovingforward.
C. Keepyourhandsatthe5and7oclockposition.
D. Useonlytherearviewmirrortoseeoutoftherearwindow.

Controlandinformationsymbolsusuallyinclude
A. Tirepressuregauges.
B. Enginetemperaturegauges.
C. Brakepressuregauges.
D. BothAandB.

Thepurposeofthehazardflashersisto
A. Warnotherdriversofaproblem.
B. Helpyoulocateyourinsurancecardinanemergency.
C. Havelightsincaseofheadlightsnotworking.
D. BothBandC.

Safetybeltsshould
A. Notbewornbybackseatpassengers.
B. Bepositionedashighonthehipsaspossible.
C. Bepositionedaslowonthehipsaspossible.
D. Beslackacrosstheshoulder.

Quickrearviewmirrorchecksshouldbemade
A. Beforestopping.
B. Beforeturning.
C. Beforepullingintotraffic.
D. Alloftheabovearecorrect.

Whenyouarepreparingtodrive,thelaststepbeforeleavingis
A. Putcaringear.
B. Releasetheparkingbrake.
C. Putonthecorrectturnsignal.
D. Turnonlowbeams.

31
8. Whatistheproperhandpositionwhenbackingstraight?
A. Handsat4and8oclock.
B. Handsat2and10oclock.
C. Righthandat12oclockandlefthandonbackofpassengersseat.
D. Lefthandat12oclockandrighthandonbackofpassengersseat.

9. Whenyourwindshieldwipersareonduetoinclementweather,
A. Yourheadlightsshouldbeon.
B. Yourheadlightsmustbeon.
C. Youmustslowyourvehicleto5milesunderthepostedspeedlimit.
D. Yourwindowsmustbeclosed.

10. Whendriversarecheckingtheirmirrors,theycannotaffordtodiverttheirattentionfromthe
pathoftravelformorethan_____atatime.
A. fourseconds
B. oneminute
C. onesecond
D. twentyseconds

11. Whichofthefollowingistrue?
A. Wearingaseatbeltwillalwayspreventescapeifacarentersthewater.
B. Intheeventofacrash,anoccupantismuchsaferifheorsheiswearingaseatbelt.
C. Smallchildrenaresaferwhenheldbyanadultthaninanapprovedcarseat.
D. Thereislesschanceofinjuryifsomeoneisthrownoutofthevehicleinacrash.

12. Toseeasmuchtrafficaspossiblearoundacar,driversshould
A. Usesideandrearviewmirrorsandlookovertheirshouldersfortraffic(performahead
check).
B. Usetraditionalmirrorsettings.
C. Usecontemporarymirrorsettings.
D. Movetheinsiderearviewmirrorfromsidetoside.

13. Whenleavingacarunattended,thedrivershouldalways
A. Selectparkforthetransmissionandnotusetheparkingbrakeunlessthecarisona
hill.
B. Settheparkingbrakeandthenplacethetransmissioninpark.
C. Placethetransmissioninparkandthensettheparkingbrake.
D. Placethetransmissioninneutralandturnthewheelstowardthesideoftheroad.

14. Theprimarypurposeoftheparkingbrakeisto
A. Stopyourvehicleonaslicksurface.
B. Stopyourvehicleinanemergency.
C. Holdthevehicleinplacewhereyouparkedit.
D. Holdthevehiclewhenparkedonahill.

32
15. Usethemirrorswhen
A. turning
B. stopping
C. passing
D. alloftheabove

16. Thesymbolthatrepresentsanairbagsystemwarningis
17. Thesymbolthatrepresentsthetemperaturegaugeis
33
Notes
34
Unit 3:
Signs, Signals, Pavement Markings
and The Right-of-Way
A) Traffic Control Devices

1) Traffic Signals

2) Road Signs

3) Pavement Markings

4) Work Zones
B) The Right of Way Concept

1) Intersections

2) Expressways and Multi-Lane Roadways

3) Special Vehicles and Pedestrians

4) Railroad Crossings
C) State Vehicle Laws in Maryland
35
Unit3:Signs,Signals,Pavement
MarkingsAndTheRightofWay
TrafficControlDevices
1) TrafficSignals

Everyyoungdriverhasseenatraffic
light,andeverychildgrowsupknowingthat
greenmeanstogo,yellowtoslowdown,and
redtostop.Whilethisbasicknowledgewill
serveyouwellinmostsituations,thereare
morerulesconcerningtrafficsignalsthatyou
shouldbeawareof.Forinstance,mostofusare
usedtoseeingtrafficsignalsthatarevertically
situated(redontop,yellowinthemiddle,and
greenonthebottom).Sincehorizontally
arrangedsignalsalsoexist,wouldyoubeableto
saywhetherthegreenlightisontherightor
leftsideofthesignal?Theanswer,universally,
isthattheredlightwillbeontheleftsideofthe
configuration.Similarly,whatshouldyoudoif
thetrafficsignalthatyouareapproachingis
disabled?Toanswerthis,adrivershouldtreat
anonworkingtrafficsignalasastopsign,and
observetherulesgoverninganintersection
withafourwaystop,whichareoutlinedlaterin
thisunit.Thepointisthattrafficsignalsare
essentialtoolsforregulatingtheflowof
vehiculartrafficandpedestrians,andthatany
experienceddrivershouldknowwhatevery
signalmeans.Theaccompanyingchartis
includedasareferencethatyoucanglanceat
quicklyinordertocommitthebasictraffic
signalstomemory.
36
UNIT 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement Markings and The Right-of-Way
Unit 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement

Markings And The Right of Way
2) Road Signs
Road signs are your most important
tool for navigating the Highway Transportation
System while on the road. You will find that all
road signs use an easy-to-understand,
standardized language based on colors and
shapes. Most road signs can be divided into one
of four categories: warning signs, regulatory
signs, guide signs, and information signs.
Warning signs are typically yellow and black,
and give the driver notice of any danger that
may lie ahead. Some examples of warning signs
include One Way Signs, converging roadway
signs, and No Passing Zone signs. Regulatory
signs are usually red, white, and black, and
inform the driver what they are permitted or
not permitted to do. These include stop signs,
wrong way signs, and speed limit signs. Finally,
guide signs and information signs, which can be
a variety of different colors, offer information
concerning routes, directions and destinations.
These can include any number of unique signs
ranging from route markers to brown signs of
recreational and cultural interest.
It is important for todays young drivers
to understand that while this system is
standardized throughout the United States,
other countries often use different symbols for
their road signs. Since modern young men and
women frequently travel internationally, we at I
Drive Smart recommend that you take the time
to learn the road sign configurations of any
country that you plan on visiting.
The accompanying charts on this page
are meant to act as a reference for students in
order to gain familiarity with the different
colors and shapes of the many road signs
located here in Maryland and throughout the
United States.

38
37

Pavement Markings
When you were younger, you may have
glanced out the window of a car to watch the
dashes of the center line fly by as you pass. Did
you ever wonder why some of those lines were
white and some were yellow, or why some lines
were broken and others were continuous?
Pavement markings are a collection of lines,
arrows, and words painted directly onto the
roadway to inform drivers of directions or
warnings.
The most basic type of pavement
marking is the center line, which separates
traffic travelling in
opposite directions.
These lines may be
either solid or
broken, as shown to
the left. In the case of
a solid line, passing is
strictly prohibited, so
you should always
stay to the right of
the center line. Usually you will find that two
solid yellow lines are painted instead of one to
emphasize the fact that passing is forbidden on
both sides of the line. If the center line is
broken, passing is permitted, but exercise great
caution in doing so and always be sure to check
the neighboring lane for oncoming traffic. You
will often come across a road which has a
center divider made up of one dashed line and
one solid line, as
shown on the left. As
depicted in the
images, if you are
driving on the side
with the broken
yellow line, you are
permitted to pass. If
you are driving on
the side with the
solid yellow line,
passing is forbidden. Again, even if passing is
allowed, make certain that there is no
oncoming traffic that could interfere with your
attempt to make a pass. It is important to note
38
39

that while you may not cross over a solid yellow

line to make a pass, left turns are permitted
across a solid yellow line or a double yellow
line.
While yellow lines separate lanes of
traffic moving opposite directions, white
pavement markings are used to delineate lanes
travelling in the same direction. Similar to
yellow lines, broken white lines may be crossed
with caution, while solid white lines (which
typically are used to denote turn lanes) should
not be crossed. In addition, white lines are
typically used to mark the right edge of a
roadway, while a
yellow line is usually
used to mark the left
edge. White paint will
also be used for stop
lines and arrows
indicating turn lanes.
Direct your attention to
the accompanying
image in order to see a
typical intersection
complete with both
white and yellow
pavement markings.
You will notice that the
turn lanes are framed by solid white lines,
forbidding lane changes near intersections.
3) Work Zones
You may feel that the only purpose of
all the construction you see being performed on
the roadway is to make you late for school or a
sporting event, but in reality it is that same
construction that will ensure that the Highway
Transportation System will be able to operate
smoothly for years to come. Instead of feeling
frustrated when you are delayed by a work
zone, take the time to map out your route
beforehand in order to avoid the construction.
If this is not possible, depart a few minutes

early for your destination and be thankful for
the men and women working to make
automobile travel possible.
We have already mentioned above that
construction areas are designated by orange
signs and markers. These zones are typically
divided into five sectors. The advance warning
area is designed to give the driver sufficient
notice that a work zone is ahead. You should
take the initiative to adjust early to any changes
to the traffic pattern, and begin to decrease
speed to the mandated work zone speed. The
transition area provides directions for detours
and new traffic patterns. The buffer area allows
the driver to become accustomed to the new
traffic pattern before entering the work zone
itself. By the time you enter this area, you
should be completing any lane adjustments and
finalizing your decrease in speed. The work
zone itself is usually occupied by any number of
vehicles, machines, and workers. Be especially
careful when maneuvering your vehicle through
such an area, and try to keep as much space as
possible between your vehicle and the cones,
barriers, and barrels of the work zone. Finally,
the termination area notifies the driver that
he/she is leaving the construction zone. You
should always maintain your reduced speed
until you are safely clear of the work zone.
Take a moment to imagine that you are working
at a construction job on a highway. How would
you want a driver to behave while nearby?
What tendencies would you encourage them to
have while maneuvering through a work zone?
Just as important, what types of actions would
you not want a driver to take? By putting
yourself in the shoes of a maintenance worker,
you should be able to identify ways that you can
be a safe and responsible driver in a
construction zone.

40
39

The Right-of-Way
2) Multi-Lane Roadways and Expressways
1) Intersections
You have probably seen two vehicles
approach an intersection and each stall for a few
moments trying to decide which driver should
proceed first. Usually these incidents result from
each driver trying to be courteous to the other.
However, a carefully constructed set of rules
exists which governs these interactions between
drivers and automobiles. In almost any imaginable
scenario, there is a protocol that may be observed
to determine which vehicle will be granted the
right-of-way, or in other words, which vehicle
should proceed first. While these protocols are
detailed in the chart below, you should always
exercise a large degree of caution when
proceeding through an intersection, since you can
never be certain that other drivers will observe
the rules of the road.
Many young drivers are unnecessarily

nervous about the prospect of driving on the
highway. However, once you begin to drive, you
will realize that driving on the highway is made
easier by the fact that traffic is only travelling in
one direction alongside you, and the fact that
there are no right-hand and left-hand turns with
which to be concerned. In place of these,
however, you will need to learn the guidelines
of merging onto and off of the highway, as well
as the protocols for changing lanes. While these
topics will be revisited later in this book in
greater detail, there are a few basic right-ofway concepts that you should be aware of at
this point.
When merging onto the expressway,
you should use the entrance ramp to accelerate
to a speed appropriate for the expressway.
When you desire to leave the merge lane,
carefully
check your
mirrors and
ensure that
your blind
areas are
clear of all
vehicles.
Activate
your turning signal, and transition into the
neighboring lane. If there is another car
occupying the neighboring lane moving at a
higher speed, you must yield the right-of-way to
the driver already on the expressway before
leaving the merge lane.
Imagine that you are driving on a threelane highway, and that you are in the far right
lane while another vehicle is occupying the far
left beside you. You decide that you will move
into the middle lane and, after checking your
mirrors and blind zone to ensure that the lane is
clear, activate your turning signal. However, you
now notice that the car in the extreme left lane
40
41

has also activated his turning signal and wishes

to shift in the middle lane. Who has the right-ofway in this situation? The answer is that the
vehicle entering from
the left lane does,
YIELD
Right
meaning that you,
of
entering a lane of
Way
traffic from another
lane to the right, will
have to yield. The
reason for this rule is
that it is easier for
you to notice from
the drivers side window that he is entering the
lane than it is for him to notice that you are
moving into the same lane.
Finally, many merge lanes are used
both for vehicles entering the expressway and
for those leaving the expressway. In these
instances, the driver entering the roadway
should yield the right-of-way to the driver
leaving the roadway.
3) Special Vehicles and Pedestrians
There are a few unique situations which
are important enough warrant both their own
section in a driver education course and your
undivided attention. In the situations described
below, you should always yield the right of way.
It is a relatively new law that mandates
that all traffic going in both directions must
come to a stop either when a school bus
activates its red flashing lights and its extended
stop sign or when the bus is loading or
unloading children. If the bus stops at an
intersection, traffic moving in all directions
must come to a stop. As you might guess, this
law was developed in order to guarantee the
safety of young boys and girls getting on and off
the school bus. The only time that this is not the
case is when a divider or unpaved median
between lanes of moving traffic. In this case,
vehicles behind the bus must still come to a
stop, but those moving in the opposite direction
may continue in motion.
All traffic must also yield the right-ofway to emergency vehicles, including but not
limited to police cruisers, fire trucks, and

ambulances. If you hear or see an emergency
vehicle
approaching,
pull your car to
the side of the
road and remain
there until the
emergency
vehicle has
safely passed. Similar to a school bus, traffic
moving in both directions must move to allow
the emergency vehicle to pass if the roadway is
undivided by a barrier or unpaved median. If
traffic conditions do not allow you to move to
the side of the roadway, simply maneuver your
car to leave a clear path for the emergency
vehicle to pass through.
Finally, you must always yield to
pedestrians crossing the street. While this is
most likely to occur at intersections and
crosswalks, you should always keep an eye out
for pedestrians (especially
small children) moving onto
the roadway. This is yet
another reason why it is
important to keep your eyes
far ahead of your car in order
to increase both your field of
vision and the time you have to react to an
occurrence.
4) Railroad Crossings
While you are
driving, you should
always be conscience of
nearby railroad tracks
and be prepared to stop
whenever you approach a
railroad crossing. Some
vehicles, such as school
buses, are required to stop
at these intersections, so
anticipate coming to a stop if you are following
one of these vehicles. A circular yellow and
black sign offers advanced warning of a railroad
crossing, while a white and black cross-buck

42
41
marks the exact location of the tracks. Since a

train is not able to swerve or come to a stop
quickly, it is your responsibility to avoid a
collision. If you can see or hear a train
approaching, or if the lights, bar, or bell on the

railroad gate are activated, you should come to
a stop safely in front of the gate. Proceed only
when the tracks are clear in each direction and
the railroad gate, bell, and lights have been
deactivated.
State Vehicle Laws in Maryland

As discussed in Unit 2, we at I Drive
Smart believe that the best way for students to
gain familiarity with the driving laws of
Maryland is to allow them to confront these
laws on their own under the guidance of our
professionally trained instructors. We try our
best to write these laws in ways that are both
understandable and accessible to teenagers,
but that maintain the mature tone of the
statute. If you have any questions about any of
these, please do not hesitate to ask your
instructor. Following is a list of laws with which
you should be familiar after completing Unit 3.
Avoid changing lanes unsafely across solid lines.
Avoid running both steady red lights and
flashing red lights, as well as stop signs.
Properly observe all traffic signals, whether
steady or blinking.
Do not attempt to make a pass when lane
markings prohibit you from doing so.
Always properly yield the right-of-way.
Avoid exceeding the maximum speed limit,
especially when that limit is posted under
special circumstances such as ongoing
construction.
Refrain from parking in any handicapped zone,
no parking zones (usually marked with red
paint), and fire lanes.
Refrain from driving in specially marked HOV
lanes unless you are carrying the appropriate
number of passengers.
Refrain from driving in bicycle or express bus
lanes.
If you violate three or more of these during a
single and continuous period, you will be issued
an aggressive driving citation worth 5 points.
The Moveover law requires drivers to change

lanes to the left when a vehicle is stopped on
the shoulder. On single lane roadways, drivers
are required to slow to 20 miles per hour and
assume lane position #2
To review, here are some important concepts
that you should study from Unit 3 before
proceeding:
The various traffic signals that can be
encountered on the roadway, and the
meaning of each
The types of road signs that may be
encountered while driving
The standardized language of shapes and
colors of road signs that is employed
throughout the United States
Safe and responsible driving in work zones
and construction areas
The different uses of yellow and white
paint, respectively, in pavement markings
and lane dividers
The concept of the right-of-way as it applies
to any and all intersections
The concept of the right-of-way as it applies
to merging onto and off of an expressway
or multi-lane roadway
The requirements for yielding to school
buses, emergency vehicles, and pedestrians
Safe driving practices around railroad
crossings
Pertinent driving laws in the State of
Maryland
42
43
Unit3Review
1) KeyConceptTerms

WarningSigns
GuideSigns
RegulatorySigns
RightofWay

2) ReviewQuestions

1. Whatshouldyoudoifyouareapproaching
atrafficsignalinyourvehicleanddiscover
thatitisnotworkingproperly?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
2. Whatcolorsignstypicallysignifyan
approachingworkzone,andwhatactions
shouldyoutakewhenyoufirstnoticethese
signs?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
3. TrueorFalse:SchoolBusesarerequiredto
stopatrailroadcrossings.
___________________________________

4. Nametwodifferentusesforbothyellow
pavementmarkingsandwhitepavement
markings?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

5. Whatistheprimaryuseofblueroadsigns?
Redsigns?Brownsigns?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

WorkZone
TrafficSignal
PavementMarking
Yield
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

TrueorFalse:Youdonotalwaysneedto
yieldtherightofwaytopedestrians.
________________________________

Whatshouldyoudoifyouapproacha
trafficsignalwithaflashingyellowlight?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Ifamergelaneisusedfordriversboth
enteringandexitinganexpressway,who
shouldbegrantedtherightofway:the
driverentering,orthedriverexiting?Why?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Identifytwoscenariosinwhichitis
permissibletocrossayellowpavement
markinginordertomakeapass.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Trueorfalse:Stopsignsaretypicallythe
onlytriangularroadsignswhichyouwillsee
ontheroadway.
_________________________________

43
11. Iftwovehiclesapproachafourway
intersectionfromoppositedirections
simultaneously,andCarAisproceeding
straightwhileCarBisplanningtomakea
leftturn,whoshouldbegrantedtherightof
way?Why?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

12. Whattypesofvehiclesqualifyasemergency
vehiclestowhichyoushouldalwaysyield
therightofway?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
44
____________________________________
____________________________________

13. TrueorFalse:Trafficsignalsshouldalways
betrusted.Whyorwhynot?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

14. Whatactionshouldyoutakeifthelanein
whichyouaretravellingisgovernedbya
trafficsignalwithaflashingyellowX?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
UNITTHREETEST

Directions:Onyourtestanswersheet,writethecorrectlettertoanswereachquestion.

Thepurposeofadiamondshapedyellowsignwithblackmarkingsisto
A. Guidedriverstorestareas.
B. Warnofhazardsahead.
C. Provideroutineinformation.
D. Indicateaspeedlimit.

Whiteandblacksignsare
A. Regulatorysigns.
B. Guidesigns.
C. Motoristservicesigns.
D. Warningsigns.

Ataflashingredsignallight,driversshould
A. Slowdownandlookbothways.
B. Lookfortrains.
C. Increasetheirspeedtoexittheintersectionquickly.
D. Stop,lookbothwaysandproceedwhensafe.

Solidyellowcenterlinesindicate
A. Onewaytrafficwithpassingallowed.
B. Twowaytrafficwithnopassingallowed.
C. Twowaytrafficwithpassingallowed.
D. Onewaytrafficwithnopassingallowed.

Atrafficlightthathasbeengreenforawhileiscalleda
A. Longgreen.
B. Stalegreen.
C. Speedupgreen.
D. Stuckgreen.

Whenapproachingaflashingyellowlight,youshould
A. Increasespeedtocleartheintersectionquickly.
B. Stopandwaitforagreenlight.
C. Assumethatotherdriverswillgiveyoutherightofway.
D. Slowdownandproceedwithcaution.

WhatdoesHOVstandfor?
A. HighOpenVehicles(jeeps,etc.)
B. HighOccupancyVehicles
C. HoveroverVehicles(helicopters,etc.)
D. HurryOutofVehicles

45
8. Dashedwhitelinesbetweenlanesareusedto
A. Separatetrafficmovinginoppositedirections.
B. Separatetrafficmovinginthesamedirection.
C. Indicatenopassingareas.
D. Indicatewheretostopforstopsignsorflashingredlights.

9. Orangesignswarnof
A. Constructionorworkarea
B. Schoolcrossing
C. NoZoneahead
D. Adangerouscurveintheroad

10. Asignintheshapeofapentagonwarnsof
A. Constructionorworkarea
B. Schoolcrossing
C. NoZoneahead
D. Adangerouscurveintheroad
46
Unit 4:
Risk Management, the Space
Management System, and Driver
Distractions
A) Risk

1) What is Risk?

2) R
isk Assessment, Management, and
Reduction
B) Using Your Vision
C) The Space Management System

1) Basics of Space Management

2) Vehicle Operating Space

3) The SEE Method

4) Managing Visibility, Time, and Space
D) Distracted Driving

1) Causes

2) Facts
47
Unit 4: Risk Management, the Space

Management System, and Driver Distractions
Risk
1) What is Risk?
to that lane, your vehicle begins to slide on a

small amount of ice that you did not see. The
driver to your left was the perceived risk, and
both that driver and the ice to your right (and
any number of other things) represent your
actual risk. For this reason, it is best to always
drive defensively, understanding that there can
be unknown risk in any action you take on the
road. Risk is shared by all, be they drivers,
bicyclists, or pedestrians. An elementary
example of this could be an animal on the road,
which poses a risk to a driver trying to avoid it
as well as to any nearby individuals who could
be endangered by the swerving vehicle. Risk is
able to be both analyzed and changed by using
the clues we have (our perceived risk) to make
the best decisions of what we should do with
our vehicle. For instance, if you see two cars
racing down the highway, it may be best to
slow down and pull to the far right to allow
them to pass before proceeding at your usual
speed. Risk can be altered altogether, since
some situations pose more of a risk than others.
Imagine that you are driving the morning after a
snowfall, and you see a snow plow clearing one
road instead of another. By following the snow
plow, you would be reducing your risk by
driving on a cleared roadway.
Why is it important for you to
memorize these characteristics of risk? While
some of this information may seem elementary,
it is imperative that you understand that driving
is a high risk activity. That understanding, we
hope, will act as a powerful incentive for
learning the habits of a safe and defensive
driver.
As a teenager, the following situation

might seem familiar to you. Imagine that Joe
has a biology exam on Monday morning and
anticipates studying for the exam all weekend.
However, after studying on Saturday, Joe
decides to watch football on Sunday instead of
continuing to prepare for his test. He might say
to himself, I feel like I am ready for the test,
but it is a risk, since I may do poorly on the
exam. Your life as a young man or woman has
probably been filled with choices which you
consider risks.
In terms of driving, however, risk is
simply the chance of injury, death, damage, or
loss, all of which commonly occur as
consequences of an automobile accident.
Before getting behind the wheel, every novice
driver must understand, there is always a
chance of injury, death, damage, or loss. This
risk can be posed by the automobile you are
driving (for instance, a deflated tire), other
highway users (a drunk driver), or the highway
itself (a series of potholes or a malfunctioning
traffic light). These are just a few of the endless
number of factors contributing to the risk you
face while behind the wheel of your vehicle.
There are a few basic characteristics of
risk that you should commit to memory now in
order to become a safer driver.
Risk is always present
Risk is shared
Risk can be altered
Perceived risk differs from actual risk.
By perceived risk, we mean the risk that the
driver knows to be present. Actual risk is selfexplanatory, being the amount of risk present
regardless of whether the driver knows about it.
To illustrate this concept, consider that you are
in the middle lane of a three-lane highway.
Imagine that there is a reckless driver to your
left (contributing to the risk you face), so you
decide to move to the far right lane. As you shift
2) Risk Assessment, Management, and Reduction

Now that you know the characteristics
of driving risk, you may be wondering how to
accurately assess and manage that risk. While
adjusting to risk while driving is important,
there are a number of steps that you can take
even before starting the engine that will reduce
48
49
UNIT 4: Risk Management, the Space Management System, and Driver Distractions
Unit4:RiskManagement,theSpace
ManagementSystem,andDriverDistractions
evenbeforestartingtheenginethatwillreduce
drivingrisk.InadditiontothePreDriving
ChecklistoutlinedinUnit2,youshouldthink
aboutdevelopingaroutinethatyoucanfollow
eachandeverytimeyouenterthecarthatwill
protectyouagainstunnecessaryrisk.
Brainstormingaboutthingsthatcouldposea
dangertoyouandotherdriversisagoodway
todevelopthisroutine.Forinstance,falling
asleepatthewheelposesanobviousthreat.If
youfeelthatyouaretootiredtosafelyoperate
yourcar,yououghttorefrainfromdriving
altogether.Otherthingsthatyoushouldcheck
whilepreparingtodriveincludedamagetoyour
car(adeflatedtire),yourmentalandphysical
stateofmind(donotdrivewhenupsetor
angry),predictableroadconditions(asnowy
day),andthesafetyfeaturesinyourcar(wear
yoursafetybelt).Bydoingthesethings,youcan
effectivelyreducetheamountofriskyouwill
facethroughoutthedurationofyourtrip.
However,whilethisisagoodstartinglist,itis
notmeanttobeexhaustive,andspecific
protocolswillchangeforeachdriverand
automobile.

Thenextthinganovicedrivermust
learnishowtoassessandadapttochanging
riskontheroadway.Asmentionedabove,you
willneverbeabletoperceivealltheriskthatis
presentatalltimes,butagooddrivershouldbe
abletomakeimportantinferencesbasedon
whatheorshecanseeontheroadway.To
start,youshouldalwayspositionyourcarto
giveyourselfampletimeandspacebothto
makelanechangesandturns,aswellastoreact
toanysuddenoccurrences.Inaddition,
decreasingyourspeedwillincreasetheamount
ofcontrolyouhaveoveryourvehicle,inturn
allowingyoutoreactmoreeffectivelyto
changesontheroadway.Asasafedriver,you
shouldalwaysbeawareofthespaceandtime
intervalsbetweenyourowncarandthosein
frontofyou.Appropriatespaceandtime
intervalswillbediscussedingreaterdetaillater
inthischapter.Finally,youmustrealizethatrisk
assessmentisanactivitytobeperformedatall
times,notonlywhenyoubegintodrive.
Roadwaysarenotstatic,andthusthelevelof
riskthatyoufaceasadriverisconstantly
changing.Forinstance,youmayleaveforan
unknowndestinationdrivingonawellpaved
roadonasunnyday,andlaterfindyourselfina
thunderstormonaroadclutteredwith
potholes.Thelevelofriskinthesetwo
circumstancesiscertainlynotequal.

Ifyouareabletosuccessfullyassess
drivingriskwhileontheroad,thenextstepisto
effectivelyreducethatrisk.Wehavealready
mentionedthatpositioningyourcar
appropriatelyandloweringyourspeedwill
increasebothyourvehiclecontrolandyour
responsetime.Manydriversthatput
themselvesinoverlyriskysituationsdoso
becausetheydonotaccuratelyevaluatethe
consequencesoftheiractions.Considerthe
exampleofspeeding.Mostyoungdrivers
exceedthespeedlimitforoneoftworeasons:
eithertheyenjoythethrillofdrivingfast,or
theywishtoreachtheirdestinationquicker
thanthespeedlimitwouldallow.However,
takeamomenttobrainstormsomeofthe
negativeconsequencesthatoftenaccompany
exceedingthespeedlimit.Somethatyoumay
havecomeupwithincludeaheftyspeeding
citationandaseriousaccident.Arethepositive
consequences,thethrillofspeedingand
arrivingatadestinationafewminutesearly,
reallyworthpotentiallylosingyourlicenseor
doingharmtoy,thethrillofspeedingand
arrivingatadestinationafewminutesearly,
reallyworthpotentiallylosingyourlicenseor
doingharmtoyourselforyourvehicle?With
thatquestioninmind,thesinglemosteffective
waytoreduceriskwhiledrivingistoconsider
theconsequencesofeachactionyoutake,and
toneverrisklargenegativeconsequencesfor
smallrewards.
Itisworthmentioningthatadriverin
thecitymakesonaveragefiftytosixtydecisions
perminute.Whilethisnumbermayseem
overwhelmingtoayoungdriver,trustthat
thesedecisionswilleventuallybecome
instinctualifyoudedicateyourselfto
developingsafedrivinghabitsearlyinyour
drivingcareer.Whileclassroominstructionis
essentialtolearntherulesregulatingtheuseof
49

theHighwayTransportationSysteminour
country,nothingwillprepareyoufordriving
morethaneffectiveguidedpractice.Take
advantageofthedrivingmentorsyouhavein
yourlifeyourparents,guardians,andIDS
instructorstoacquireeffectivepracticeonall
basicdrivingmaneuvers.Doingsobeforeyou
obtainyourlicensewilleasethetransitionyou
willgothroughwhenyoubegindrivingonyour
own.
Finally,oneofthebiggestobstaclesto
reducingriskiscomplacencyamongdrivers.
Generally,asyoungdriversgetcomfortable
behindthewheel,theybegintoconsider
themselvestobeexcellentdrivers.Also,
negativebehaviordoesnotnecessarilyresultin
negativeresultsinanautomobile.Therefore,it
issometimeseasyforayoungdrivertothink
thattheyareinvincible.Theonlywaytocombat
thiscomplacencyistorememberthatriskis
alwayspresentwhiledriving,andtomakea
consciousdecisiontoalwaysadheretosafe
drivingpractices.
UsingYourVision
Itmaycomeasasurprisetoyouthat
90%ofalldrivingactivitiesinvolvethedrivers
vision.Onceanovicedrivertrulyappreciates
therelevanceofthisstatistic,heorshewill
understandthatdevelopinggoodvisionhabits
isanessentialstopontheroadtobecominga
safeandresponsibledriver.Forthepurposesof
ourdiscussion,itishelpfultothinkofthree
areasofvisionthatyou
willusefordifferent
purposes:thefocal
visionarea,thecentral
visionarea,andthe
peripheralvision.The
imageatright
accuratelydisplays
thesevisionareas.
Whileweseparate
eachoftheseherefor
thepurposesofan
academicdiscussion,
youmustrealizethateachwilloperate
simultaneouslywhileontheroadway.

Thefocalvisionarea(blueinthe
diagram)isusedtoidentifydistinctobjects
directlyinyourpathoftravel.Becausehuman
eyesonlyhavetheabilitytofocusononeobject
atatime,thisvisionareatypicallyonlyspans
threetofivedegrees,makingitthesmallestof
thevisionareas.Itisthebasisforestablishinga
visualleadwhiledriving,andthereforeshould

bekeptwellinfrontofyourvehicle,asshown
inthepicture.Inaddition,thefocalvisionarea
shouldbeusedfortargetingobjects,identifying
trafficsignals,andreadingroadsigns.

Thecentralvisionarea(redinthe
image)ispositionedaroundthefocalvision
area.Itisusedprimarilytojudgetheposition
andspacingofyourvehiclerelativetoother
vehiclesandobstacleson
theroadway.Thecentral
visionareaalsoprovidesa
fullerviewofyourpathof
travelthanthesmaller
focalvisionareaisableto.

Finally,the
peripheralvision(greenin
thediagram)isshapedlike
aconesurroundingthe
twootherfieldsofvision.
Themainpurposeof
peripheralvisionissimply
topickuplateralchangesinspeedandcolorto
theextremesidesofyourvehicle.Whileyour
peripheralvisioniscertainlynotasclearasthe
focalorcentralvisionareas,itisremarkably
usefulinallowingyoutodetectchangesthat
youwouldnototherwisesee.Peripheralvision
canbequicklyandsignificantlyaffectedby
fatigueanddruguse.

Aclearlineofsightisessentialforusing
yourvisioneffectively.Anynumberofthings,
50
fromanothervehicle,toahill,toabuilding,can
blockthislineofsight.Ifyoufindyourlineof
sightobstructedwhiledriving,simplyadjust
yourpositionandspeeduntilaclearlineof
sightisreestablished.

Itisworthnotingthat,asspeed
increases,thecentralvisionareawillnarrow
andblur,andperipheralvisionwilldecrease.In
ordertocompensateforthis,lookfarther
aheadasyoubegintotravelathigherspeeds,
whichwillgrantyoumoretimetorespondto
anychangesintheroadway.Also,when
possible,placemorespacebetweenyour
vehicleandotherroadwayusersinorderto
holdsuddensteeringchangestoaminimum.

1) BasicsofSpaceManagement

Oneofthemostimportantthingsthat
youwilllearninanIDriveSmartdriver
educationcourseisasystemwhichwillallow
youtominimizeriskatalltimesbyadjusting
yourvehiclepositionwithinalaneandby
controllingspeed.Inorderforaspace
managementsystemtobeeffective,itmust
bebotheasytouseandunderstandand
applytoallsituationsthatyouwillencounter
ontheroadway.Inordertousethespace
managementsystemweoutlineinthisunit,
asadriver,youmusthavethevisibility,time,
andspacetoperformallnecessary
maneuversontheroadway,andyourvehicle
mustbeproperlyfunctioningtoallowyouto
makethosemaneuvers.Beforemakingany
adjustmentthatthisunitrecommends,be
suretocheckthesurroundingareaforother
roadwayusersorcircumstancesthatcould
increasetheriskofthemaneuver.Onceyou
arepreparedtofollowtheserules,youare
readytolearntheusefulspacemanagement
systemthatfollows.

2) VehicleOperatingSpace

Therearesevenoperatingzones
aroundavehicleontheroadwayatalltimes.
Oneofthesezones,theCentralSpaceArea,is
occupiedbythevehicleitself.Theothersix
zonessurroundthevehicletoeveryside,as
shownintheaccompanyingdiagram.For
reference,zone1occupiesthespacedirectlyin

frontofthevehicle,whilethespacetotheleft
andrearofthedriverismarkedbyzone4.
Usingthediagram,theothersshouldbeself
explanatory.
TheSpaceManagementSystem

Usingthissystem,eachzoneisableto
beopen,closed,orchanging.Anopenzoneis
oneinwhichthereisnorestrictiontothelineof
sightorpathoftravel.Aclosedzoneisone
whichisnotavailabletothevehiclespathof
51

traveland/orthereisarestrictiontothe
driverslineofsight.Inthiscircumstance,an
alternatepathoftravelmustbeidentified.
Finally,achangingzoneisoneinwhichthelevel
ofriskisincreasing.Thisisoftenanopenzone
whichwillshortlybechangingtoaclosedzone,
oranalreadyclosedzoneinwhich
circumstanceswillshortlypresentaneven
greaterrisk.

Themajorityofcrashesontheroadway
resultfromadriversfailuretoeffectively
controltheirlineofsightandpathoftraveland
adriverstendencytopositiontheirvehiclein
anoverlyriskysituationorzone.Takeafew
momentstobrainstormafewsituationsin
whichazonewouldbeconsideredclosed.Afew
youmightcomeupwithincludearedtraffic
signal,whichresultsinzone1beingclosed,and
acartravellinginyourleftblindspot,which
wouldresultinzone4beingclosed.Thereare
literallyanendlessnumberofcircumstances
whichresultinazonebeingclosed.Asyou
travelwithaparentoranotherresponsible
driver,trytoidentifyafew.Now,canyouthink
ofanycircumstanceswhichwouldleadyouto
classifyazoneaschanging?Whiledoingthis,
begintocontemplatewhatchangestolane
positionandspeedyouwouldmakeifa
particularzonebecomesclosed.Forexample,if
zone4isoccupiedbyacarthatyoufeelis
drivinghazardously,thenitwouldbehooveyou
toshiftintozone2toincreasetheamountof
spacebetweenyourownvehicleandthatofthe
unsafedriver.Inallcircumstances,youare
simplytryingtominimizeriskandmaximizethe
timeandspaceyouhavetorespondtoany
suddenchangesontheroadway.

3) TheSEEMethod

TheSeeMethodisathreestepprogramthat
increasesadriversawarenessbygranting
him/heraprocesstoworkthroughinsteadof
solelyrelyingoninstinctsorhabits.Thethree
stepsaredesignedtobecomplementary,
meaningthateachmustbeperformedinorder
forthemethodtoworkeffectively.
ThethreestepsoftheSEEMethodare

x Search
x Evaluate
x Execute
BySEARCH,wemeanthatyoumustsearch
yourentirevisualfieldtoensurethatbothyour
lineofsightandpathoftravelisunobstructed.
Obstructionsmayinclude,butarenotlimited
to,othervehicles,pedestrians,buildings,or
otherobstacles.ByEVALUATE,wemeanthat
youmustevaluateallotheroptions,bothin
laneandvehiclepositionandinspeed,thatwill
provideyouwithanunobstructedpathoftravel
andlineofsight.Finally,byEXECUTE,wemean
that,havingdecidedthebestlanepositionand
speed,youmustexecutethedesiredmaneuver
neededtominimizerisk.
Whilethesetacticsmayseeminstinctualor
commonsensetoyou,youwillfindthatthe
onlywaytotrulylearntheSEEMethodand
incorporateitintoyourdrivingroutineis
throughconstantsupervisedpractice.

4) ManagingTime,Visibility,andSpace

Asyouhavebeenworkingyourwaythrough
thisunit,youmayhavedevelopedaseriesof
questions,suchasthefollowing.Howfarahead
ofmycarshouldIkeepmyeyes?Howclosely
shouldIfollowothercars?Whattoolsareatmy
disposaltosignalmyintentionstoother
drivers?Itisgoodifyouhavehadthese
questions,sinceitshowsthatyouhavebeen
activelyengagingwiththematerialpresented.
Hopefullywecanprovideyouwiththeanswers
tothosequestionsinthissection.Ifyouare
curiousaboutsomethingthatisnotspecifically
addressed,pleasedonothesitatetobringthe
questiontoyourIDriveSmartinstructor.

Wehavealreadydiscussedthatyou
mustkeepyoureyesoutinfrontofthecarto
giveyourselfawideandeffectivefieldofvision.
Buthowfaraheadshouldyoulook?Every
drivermustsearchasfaraheadoftheirvehicle
aspossibletoestablishavisuallead.When
52
youobserveobstaclesorchangesinthetraffic
patternatthisinterval,youareableto
anticipateproblemsfromasafedistance.Now,
insideofthis2030secondwindow,thereare
otherintervalsoftimewhichrequireyouto
takevariousactions.Forexample,anintervalof
1215secondsallowsyoutoidentifyobjects
thatrequireachangeinspeedorposition.An
intervalof812secondsallowsyoutoidentify
analternatepathoftravel.Andfinally,any
objectwithin8secondsofyourcarrequires
yourimmediateattentionandaction.

Whenfollowinganothervehicle,you
shouldalwaysgiveyourselfenoughspaceto
ensurethatyouwillbeabletobringthevehicle
toastopincaseofanemergencywiththecar
ahead.Yearsago,itwastaughtthatyoushould
followatadistanceoftwoseconds.However,it
hasbeendiscoveredthatthisonlyallowsyouto
cometoasafestopatspeedsbelow35miles
perhour.Likewise,afollowingdistanceofthree
secondsonlyallowsadrivertosafelysteerout
ofproblemareasatspeedsupto45milesper
hour.Afoursecondfollowingdistance,
however,allowsadrivertosafelystopand
steeroutofaproblemareaatspeedsupto65
milesperhour.Sinceyoushouldnotbedriving
atspeedshigherthan65,werecommendthat
youprovideafoursecondcushionbetween
yourownvehicleandthevehiclethatyouare
following.Ifyoudoso,andfollowtheprecepts
ofthespacemanagementsystemoutlined
above,youshouldnotencounteranysituations
ontheroadthatyouareunabletoavoid.

Manypotentialaccidentsonthe
roadwayareavoidedeverydaybyeffective
communicationbetweendrivers.Asayoung
driver,itisimportantthatyoufamiliarize
yourselfwiththecommunicationdevicesat
yourdisposal.Manyoftheseareoutlinedin
Unit2ofthisbook.Lestyouforgetsuch
devices,theseincludeheadlights,turning
signals,brakelights,handsignals,andyour
horn.Itisessentialthatyougetinthepractice
ofusingthesetoolseffectivelyandproperly.For
instance,besuretouseyourturningsignalat
alltimes,whetherornotyoufeelthereisa
driverfollowingyou.Also,rememberthatthe
truepurposeofthehornistoalertother
roadwayusersofyourpresence.Itisnotthere
todrawtheattentionofyourfriends,ortourge
anotherdrivertospeedup.
DistractedDriving

Wehaveallseendriverstalkingontheir
cellphone,texting,tryingtofindsomethingin
theircar,oreatingsomefastfood.Thesetypes
ofactivitieshavebecomesoengrainedinour
culturethatyoumaythinkoftheseactivitiesas
acceptableandnormal.However,distracted
drivingisthecauseofcountlessaccidentson
theroadwayeverydayandoughttobetaken
seriouslybyeachandeverynovicedriver.

Thedistracteddrivingproblemis
especiallypertinenttoourdiscussionbecause
driversundertheageoftwentyarealmost50%
morelikelytobeinvolvedinadistracteddriving
accidentthanallotherdrivers.Whyisthis?
Studieshaveidentifiedanumberofreasons,
includingalackofdrivingexperience,alackof
experienceperformingtaskswhichcancausea
distraction,andtheproclivitytotakerisks
whichoftenaccompaniesayoungdriver.Can
youthinkofanyotherreasonsthatyoung
driversaremoreatriskofbecomingdistracted
thanotherdrivers?

Therearecertaindistractionsthathave
proventobeparticularlyhazardoustoyoung
drivers.Mostofthese,asyoumightexpect,
concerntechnologicaldevices.Weliveinanage
ofcellphones,IPods,andFMtransmitters,and
thestereotypethatyoungerkidsaremore
technologicallyinclinednormallyholdstrue.
Takeamomenttoconsideryourown
experienceswiththesedevices,andwhether
youtrulybelievethatyoucouldgiveyour
adequateattentiontothedrivingtaskwhile
operatingoneofthem.Otherdistractionsthat
areparticularlyhazardousforyoungdrivers
53

includechangingCDsandirresponsible
passengers.

Whilethislistisnotmeanttobe
exhaustive,considerallthedistractionsthat
youcouldfaceasadriver:talkingonacell
phone,texting,preparingtoeatordrink,
spillingfoodordrink,cleaningupaftereating,
playingwiththeradio,talkingtoanother
passenger,readingamap,adjustingtheheating
orairconditioning,smoking,pets,sneezing,and
navigationsystems.Drivingisaseriousactivity,
andrequiresyourfullattentionatalltimes.Do
notallowyourselftosuccumbtoanyofthese
distractions.Inthecomingweeks,payattention
todriverswithwhomyouaretravellingtosee
whethertheybecomedistracted,andwhether
thereareanynegativeresultscausedbythat
distraction.

Thecellphoneproblem,mentioned
above,deservesspecialattentionfromanovice
driver,bothbecausetheyaresuchanintegral
partofthelivesofmanyyoungpeople,and
becausetheycancausedistractionsinavariety
ofways.Forexample,youmustlookawayfrom
theroadwayinordertodialyourphone,you
maybesurprisedtohearthesuddenringingof
anincomingphonecall,andyoumayneedto
drivewithonlyonehandwhiletalking,making
maintaininglanepositiondifficult.Moreover,a
popularmythexiststhatusingahandsfree
deviceeffectivelyeliminatestheriskassociated
withusingacellphonewhiledriving.Onthe
contrary,theriskisnotdecreased,asusingany
cellulardevicedrawsthedriversattention
awayfromthedrivingtask.

Thisisnottosaythatacellphoneisnot
ausefultooltohavewhiledriving.Therearea
varietyofsituationsduringwhichacellphone
cancomeinhandy.Havingafunctionalcell
phonecanallowyoutoquicklycallforroadside
assistance,lawenforcement,andemergency
services.However,ineachofthesesituations,
youshouldsteersafelyawayfromtheroadway
andbringyourvehicletoastopwhenever
possiblebeforemakingthephonecall.Inalmost
allsituations,itshouldnotbenecessarytohave
yourcellphoneonwhileyouaredriving.

Thequestionremains,ifthereareso
manydistractionspossiblewhiledriving,what
shouldonedotominimizerisk?Thereare
myriadanswerstothisquestion,andtheyare
alldependantonthespecificsituationyouare
in.Imaginethatyouaredrivingandyourcell
phonebeginstoring.Ifanotherpassengerisin
thecar,youcouldhavethemansweryour
phoneforyou.Ifyouarealone,itisbestto
simplyallowyourvoicemailsystemtoanswer,
andtoreturnthecallafteryouhavereached
yourdestination.Inothersituations,more
drasticmeasuresmayneedtobetaken.Ifyou
aredrivingwithpassengersthatcause
unnecessarydistractions,youmaybeforcedto
removethemfromthevehicleinorderto
ensureyourownsafetyandthatoftheother
passengers.Thebestadvicetofollowistouse
yourbestjudgmentinthesesituations,and
alwaysweightheperceivedpositivesofa
distractionagainstthepossibleconsequences
youcouldfacebecauseofit.

WehavenowcometotheconclusionofUnit4.
Remember,riskisalwayspresentwhile
operatingavehicle,anddistractionsalways
threatentotakeyourattentionoffofthe
drivingtask.UsingtheSEEMethodandthe
spacemanagementsystemoutlinedinthisunit,
youwillbeequippedwiththetoolsnecessaryto
safelyavoidanyemergencysituationsyoumay
faceontheroadway.
54
1) KeyConceptTerms
Unit4Review
Risk
FocalVisionArea
CentralVisionArea
PeripheralVision
LineofSight

2) ReviewQuestions

1. Inyourownwords,defineriskasit
pertainstodriving.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

2. Whydoyouthinkitisimportantthatyou
takethetimetocommittheSEEmethod
tomemoryatanearlypointinthedriver
educationprocess?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

3. Nameatleastthree(3)causesofdistracted
drivingthatposeaspecialrisktoyoung
drivers.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

4. Identifythree(3)basiccharacteristicsof
drivingrisk.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

PathofTravel
CentralSpaceArea
SpaceManagementSystem
SEEMethod
DistractedDriving
5.
6.
7.
8.

Identifyfour(4)scenariosinwhichazone
aroundyourvehicleshouldbeconsidered
closed,andone(1)scenarioinwhichazone
shouldbeconsideredchanging.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whenisitappropriateforyoutosenda
textmessagewhiledrivinganautomobile?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Howdoesperceivedriskdifferfromactual
risk?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Nameaprimaryusefor1)yourcentral
vision,2)yourfocalvision,and3)your
peripheralvision.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
55

9. Identifysomestepsyoucantaketo
minimizetheriskposedbydistracted
driving.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

10. Howshouldyouadjustyourvisionasyou
begintotravelathigherspeeds?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

11. Generally,howfaraheadofyourcarshould
youkeepyourvision?
____________________________________
____________________________________

12. Howcanyoubattlebecomingacomplacent
driver,orrefrainfrombeginningtothink
thatyouhavemasteredtheskillofdriving?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

13. Whatarethethreecomponentsofthe
SEEMethod?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
56
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
UNITFOURTEST

Directions:Onyouranswersheet,writethecorrectlettertoanswereachquestion.

Whenevaluatingarisk,adrivershouldunderstandthat
A. Riskisalwayspresent.
B. Riskcanbealteredorchanged.
C. Riskisshared.
D. A,BandCarealltrueaboutrisk.

WhatdoesSEEstandfor?
A. SeeEveryElement
B. SearchEvaluateExecute
C. SearchEliminateExecute
D. SeekEvaluateEliminate

Afollowingdistanceofatleast_______isrequiredforsafedriving.
A. 2030seconds
B. 2seconds
C. 34seconds
D. 812seconds

Whatdoesitmeantoestablishavisuallead?
A. Keepingeyefocuscenteredonanarea2030secondsfromthefrontofthevehicle.
B. Searchingasfaraheadaspossible.
C. Keepingeyefocuscenteredonthevehicledirectlyinfrontofthedriver.
D. Keepingeyefocusonthepassengersinthebackseatoftheirvehicle.

Alarge,slowtruckcloseinfrontofyouis
A. Aclosedsightlineandclosedtravelpath.
B. Aclosedsightlineonly.
C. Aclosedtravelpathonly.
D. Notaproblem.

Whatdoessearchingforthreateningobjectsorconditionsintrafficdependonmost?
A. Havingperfecteyes.
B. Knowingthestreetorarea.
C. Keepingyoureyesmoving.
D. Seeingoutofthecornersofyoureyes.

Adrivercanobtaininformationaboutanothervehicleby
A. Observingthevehiclesturnsignalsandbrakelights.
B. Watchingthedriverforhandsignalsandheadmovements.
C. Observingtheothervehicleslanepositionandfrontwheelangle.
D. A,b,andcareallwaystoobtaininformationfromanothervehicle.

57

8. Whatisthesafestoptionforreducingcellphonedistraction?
A. Donotusecellphoneatallwhiledriving.
B. Haveapassengertakethecellphonecallandrelaythemessagetothedriver.
C. Getahandsfreedevicetousewhiledriving
D. Useyourcellphonetotextratherthantotalk.

9. IntheSEEprocess,whichofthesewouldbeanexampleofevaluating?
A. Signaling
B. Changingdirection
C. Observinglineofsightobstructions
D. Braking

10. Outsidedistractionsinclude
A. Animalsintheroadway.
B. Crashscenes.
C. Roadconstruction.
D. A,BandCarealloutsidedistractions.
58
Unit 5:
Basic Maneuvering Tasks
A) Intersections

1) Approaching an Intersection

2) S taggered Stops And Multiple Turn Lanes

3) Roundabouts
B) Turning Around

1) In a Side Street or Driveway

2) U-Turn

3) Three-Point Turn
C) Parking

1) Angle Parking

2) Perpendicular Parking

3) Parallel Parking

4) Parking on a Hill
D) Maneuvering On The Road

1) Lane Positions

2) Shared Turn Lanes

3) Driving Through Curves
E) Passing and Being Passed
F) Maryland Driving Laws
59
Unit5:BasicManeuveringTasks
Intersections

1) ApproachinganIntersection

Nowthatyouarefamiliarwiththebasic
strategiesofthespacemanagementsystem
andtheSEEMethod,youarereadyto
progresstoadiscussionofsomeofthebasic
vehiclemaneuversthatyouwillperformasa
driver.Thesemaneuversareamongthemost
commonthatadriverwillface.Therefore,itis
importantthatyouhavesupremeconfidencein
yourabilitytoperformsuchmaneuverspriorto
driving.Whileeverydriverandeverydriving
situationisdifferent,followingtheinstructions
outlinedinthisUnitwillguideyousafely
througheachofthesemaneuvers,regardlessof
thevariablesthatexist.

Intersectionsposeauniqueriskto
drivers.Inanintersection,uptofoursetsof
drivers,eachtravellingdifferentdirections,
couldwanttooccupythesameroadspaceat
thesametime.Thisproblemisthebasisforthe
systemofstopsigns,trafficsignals,andrightof
wayconceptsthathasbeencreated.Itshould
comeasnosurprisethatahighpercentageof
accidentsinthiscountryoccuratintersections.

Asyouapproachanintersection,
employtheSEEMethodtoprepareyourself
forcrossingtrafficattheintersection.You
shouldfirstsearchtheintersectiontoidentify
howmanyintersectingroadwaysexist,to
ensurethatyouareinthecorrectlane
(dependingonwhetheryouintendtomakea
rightturn,leftturn,orremainstraight),to
identifyanytrafficcontroldevices,andto
monitoryourrearareasandinformadriver
behindyouthatyouarepreparingtostopby
flashingyourbrakelightsafewtimes.

Next,evaluatethesituationaroundyou
byidentifyingopen,closed,andchangingzones.
Openzonesincludeanylanethatisfreeforyou
toturnintofromtheintersection.Youshould
alwaystrytopositionyourvehiclesothatyou
haveaclearlineofsighttowardyourdesired

pathoftravel.Likewise,theearlieryouareable
toidentifyclosedzones,thebetter.Doingso
willpreventyoufromaccidentlysteeringintoa
laneintendedforoncomingtrafficandallow
youtoknowwhetherthereisanobstructionin
yourattendedpathoftravel.Finally,evaluate
yourfrontalzone.Aclosedorchangingfrontal
zonemaybecausedbyayelloworredlight,a
stoporyieldsign,oranobstructioninyourpath
oftravel.

Aftersuccessfullysearchingand
evaluatingtheintersection,itistimetoexecute
themaneuver.Youwilldosobyadjustingyour
speed,maintainingyourlaneposition,and
effectivelycommunicatingyourintentionsto
otherdriversusingheadandbrakelights,turn
signals,andeyecontact.Youshouldthenbring
yourvehicletoastopattheintersection(ifthe
trafficsignalrequiresit)andproceedthrough
theintersectiononlywhenthetrafficsignal
allowsitandyourpathoftravelisclear.Many
youngdriversmakethemistakeoftrusting
trafficsignals.Agreenlightdoesnotmeanthat
otherdriversheadinginanotherdirectionwill
obeythetrafficsignal.Therefore,whenalight
turnsgreen,itisrecommendedthatyoupause
fortwosecondsbeforeproceedingtoallowany
carstryingtobeatthelighttoclearthe
intersection.

Manynovicedriversareunsurewhere
theyshouldpositiontheircarwhentheystopat
anintersection.Luckily,inmanyintersections,
thisismarkedonthepavementintheformofa
stoplineora
crosswalk.Youshould
alwaysstopyour
vehiclesothatthe
frontbumperis
positionedbehind
thenearestcrosswalk
lineorstopline.If
bothacrosswalkand
astoplineare
present,youshouldobeythestopline,which
60
UNIT 5: Basic Maneuvering Tasks
willinvariablybeplacedbeforethecrosswalk.If
neitherispresent,butthereisasidewalk
perpendiculartoyourpathoftravel,youmust
envisionanimaginarycrosswalkstretching
acrossthestreet,andstopsafelybehindit.
Finally,ifthereisnosidewalk,thenyoumust
envisionanimaginarylinestretchingacrossthe
streetfromthecurbofthestreetperpendicular
toyourcar,whichwerefertoastheimaginary
curbline,andcometoahaltbeforecrossing
thisline.

Whenpreparingtoturnatan
intersection,therearesomespecificpractices
whichyoushouldalwaysutilizewhilegoing
throughtheSEEMethoddiscussedabove.
Whilepositioningyourvehicleintheproper
lanefortheturn,youshouldconstantlycheck
yourmirrorstomonitortheactionsoffollowing
drivers,andtapyourbrakepedaltoalertthem
thatyourspeedwillbedecreased.Next,always
rechecktheintersectionforcrossingtraffic,
sinceyoucanneverbecertainthatother
vehicleswillobeyroadsignsandtrafficsignals.
Afteridentifyingasafegapincrossingtraffic,
initiatethemaneuverwhilekeepingyourvision
throughtheturntothefarthestpossiblepoint
inyourpathoftravel.Finally,asyoucomplete
yourturn,recheckyourmirrorstolocatethe
positionoffollowingtraffic.

2) StaggeredStopsandMultipleTurnLanes

Manyintersectionssimplyhaveone
stoplineforalllanesandonelaneeachfora
rightturnandaleftturn.However,youwill
inevitablyencountersomeintersectionsthat
havethestoplineinthefarleftlanestaggered
behindtheotherlanes,andothersthathave
multipleturnlanes.Thepurposeofstaggering
stoplinesistoprovidemorespaceforlarger
vehiclesattemptingtoturnintothelanetothe
left,whilemultipleturnlaneshelpstoalleviate
trafficonbusyroadways.Itispossiblethata
staggeredstoplinewillreduceyourvisibilityto
theintersection.Ifthisisthecase,cometoa
completestopbehindtheline,andinchforward
slowlywhenyouarereadytoproceedinorder
togetabetterviewofcrossingtraffic.Inthe
caseofmultipleturnlanes,youshouldalways
exittheturninthesamelaneinwhichyou
entered.Forexample,iftherearetworight
handturnlanes,andyouareinthefarright
lane,youshouldremaininthefarrightlane
whenexitingtheturn.Maneuveringintothe
otherrighthandturnlanewouldinterferewith
thetrafficfromthatlane.Whenpossible,itis
oftenbesttoavoidturningalongsideanother
cartoavoidtheriskofacollision.

3) Roundabouts

Aroundaboutisacircularintersection
inwhichalltraffictravelscounterclockwise,to
theright,aroundacentralisland.Alltraffic
enteringtheroundaboutmustyieldtotraffic
alreadyinthecircle,andtheroundaboutis
easilyleftbymakingasimplerightturnonto
thedesiredroad.
Asyouapproachtheroundabout,itisa
goodideatotrytoreduceyourspeedtoenter
atagapinthetraffic.Asyoupreparetoenter,
rememberthatyoumustyieldtoalltraffic
alreadyintheroundabout.Asasidenote,if
younoticeanemergencyvehicleenteringthe
roundaboutfromanotherlocation,itisbestnot
toenteruntilthevehiclehaspassed,allowing
theexistingtrafficintheroundabouttomake
roomfortheemergencyvehicle.

Whiletravellingaroundthe
roundabout,youshouldonlystopinthe
instanceofstoppedtraffic,collisionor
emergency,sinceyouwillalwayshavetheright
ofway.Iftheroundabouthastwolanes,itis
recommendedthatyoudonotattemptto
overtakeorpassanothervehicle.Lastly,simply
communicateyourintenttoleavethe
roundaboutbyusingyourturnsignals,and
maintainaslowspeedwhileexiting.
61
TurningAround

1) InaSideStreetorDriveway

Therearenumerousreasonsthatyouwill
findthatyouneedtoturnaroundonthe
roadway.Inalmostallcircumstances,and
especiallyincrowdedandurbanareas,the
safestmethodofturningaroundistosimply
drivearoundtheblock.However,ifthisavenue
isnotopentoyou,followthisstraightforward
checklistforturningaroundinasidestreetor
driveway.

1. Checktraffictotherearofyourvehicle
andtapyourbrakepedallightlytoalert
trailingdriversofyourintentionto
decreasespeed.
2. Confirmthatthestreetordrivewaythat
youplantoenterisclearof
obstructionsandoffersgoodvisibility.
3. Indicateyourintentiontoturnbyusing
yourturnsignal.
4. Ifattemptingarightturn,proceed
straightpastthedrivewayuntilyour
rearbumperisinlinewiththefaredge
ofthestreetordriveway,andback
slowlywhileturningyourwheelsharply
totheright.Asyourvehiclecentersin
thestreetordriveway,straightenthe
wheel.Ifattemptingaleftturn,simply
steerintotheroadwayordrivewayand
stopasyourrearbumperclearsthe
edgeoftheroadway.

NOTE:Atthispoint,youshouldnoticethat
ifyouturnedright,youwouldhavebacked
intothedriveway,whileyouwouldhave
drivenforwardintoadrivewayontheleft.
Thisisbecausedrivingforwardpresents
greatervisibility,whichisnecessarywhile
crossingtraffic,asinthecaseofaleftturn
or(asweareabouttosee)indeparting
fromasidestreetontheright.

5. Ifyouhavenowsuccessfullybackedup
intoadrivewayontheright,stopas
yourfrontbumperclearsthecurb.Turn
onyourleftsignalandchecktrafficin
bothdirections.Whenyouidentifya
safegapintraffic,simplyturnleftinto
theappropriatelane,accelerateto
matchthespeedoftraffic,andcheck
traffictotherearviayourmirrors.
6. Ontheotherhand,ifyouhave
successfullyturnedintoasidestreetor
drivewayontheleft,youshouldsignala
rightturnandshiftyourtransmissionto
reverse.Aftercheckingtrafficinall
directions,begintobackoutslowly
whileturningyoursteeringwheeltothe
right.Whilebackingup,rememberto
checkyourfrontleftzonetoensure
thatthereissufficientspaceinfrontof
yourvehicle.Asyourvehiclecenters
intothenearestlane,straightenyour
wheelandcometoacompletestopand
shifttransmissiontodrive.Atthispoint,
canceltherightturnsignaland
acceleratetomeettheflowoftraffic,
andchecktraffictotherear.

2) UTurns

AUTurnisafairlystraightforward
maneuver,inwhichyoushouldpositionyour
vehicleonthefarrightsideoftheroadandturn
yourwheelsharplytotheleftinorderto
completeaturnof180degrees.Notso
straightforward,however,iswhetheraUturnis
alegalandadvisablemaneuvertoemployina
situation.Asmentionedalready,proceeding
aroundtheblockisalwaystherecommended
wayofturningaround.Therearealsomany
placesthataUturnisstrictlyprohibited.
Moreover,whileaUturnmaybelegalina
certainlocation,youshouldneverattemptone
onanarrowroad,iftherearevehicleswithin
500feetofyouineitherdirection,orifyouare
62

inthevicinityofahill,curve,orintersection.If
youfeelasthoughaUturnwouldbe
appropriateinyoursituation,simplysteerto
therightsideoftheroadway,activateyourleft
turnsignal,andcheckandrecheckyourmirrors
andoncomingtraffic.Next,slowlyreleasethe
brakepedalandsteerrapidlytotheleftwhile
acceleratingslowly.Onceyouhavesteeredinto
yourdesiredlane,quicklystraightenthewheel
andacceleratetomeettheflowoftraffic.
3) ThreePointTurns
Manyyoungdrivershearthatyoumust
completeathreepointturnduringyourdriving
test,andthushaveaheightenedfearofthe
maneuver.However,toallayyourconcerns,
yououghttorealizethatwehavealready
discussedonetypeofthreepointturninthe
sectionconcerningturningaroundinadriveway
orsidestreet.Thesetypesofturnsaremost
recommendedbecausetheyallowmorespace
andpermityoutoremoveyourvehiclefromthe
flowoftrafficwhileyouawaitasufficientspace
toperformthemaneuver.However,three
pointturnsmayalsobemadeentirelyinthe

roadway.Thismethod,however,shouldonlybe
usedasalastresortwhentheroadisextremely
narrow,whennootherdrivewaysorside
streetsareavailable,whendrivingaroundthe
blockisnotanoption,andwhenthetrafficis
extremelylight.Ifyoufindthatathreepoint
turnintheroadwayisnecessary,startby
positioningyourvehicleontheextremeright
sideofthestreet,activateyourleftturnsignal,
andcheckyourmirrors,blindspots,and
oncomingtraffic.Asyoureleasethebrake,
steersharplytotheleft,andstraightenthe
wheelasyouapproachtheoppositecurb.
Activateyourrightturnsignal,shifttoreverse,
checkfortrafficinalldirections,andreleasethe
braketobackupwhileturningrightsharply.As
yousteerintotheappropriatelane,straighten
thewheel,andcometoacompletestopbefore
shiftingthetransmissiontodrive.Finally,once
againrechecktrafficaroundyourcar,steer
towardsthelaneyouwishtotravelin,and
acceleratetomeetthenormalflowoftraffic.As
youemergefromthethreepointturn,always
confirmthatyouhavedeactivatedyourturn
signal.
Parking

1) AngleParking

Manyyoungdriversdownplaythe
dangersofparkingbecauseitisdoneatslow
speed,wheremanydriversthinkaccidents
cannotoccur.Whileseriousaccidentsare
relativelyrare,manysmallcollisionsandfender
bendersoccurbecauseofmistakesmadewhile
parking.Parkingrequiresnotonlyexcellent
controlofyourcar(byusingsmallerwheel
adjustments),butalsocontrolofyourspeed
andtheabilitytoaccuratelyjudgethespace
availableinwhichtopark.Ingeneral,you
shouldalwaystrytogiveyourselfasmuch
spaceinwhichtoparkaspossible,andattempt
toparkyourcarthatyoucandriveoutofthe
spotinsteadofhavingtoreverse.Bothofthese
strategieswillhelp
minimizetheriskyou
willfacewhile
parkingyourvehicle.

Angle
Parking,alsoknown
asdiagonalparking,
involvesarowof
spaces(markedby
solidlines)stretching
fromthepavement
atanangle.This
allowseasyentrance
forcarsapproachingfromonedirection,and
prohibitsentrancetocarstravellinginthe
oppositedirection.Forthisreason,youwillfind
63
mostavenuesinparkinglotswithangleparking
tobeoneway.

Followthesestepstosafelyenteran
angledparkingspace:

1. Identifythespacetobeentered,
confirmingthatthereisenoughspace
inwhichyourcarcouldsafelyfit.
2. Useyourturningsignaltoshowyour
intentiontoturnintothespace.
3. Moveyourvehicleslowlyforwarduntil
thesteeringwheelisalignedwiththe
nearpavementlineoftheparking
space.
4. Visuallyaimatthecenteroftheparking
space,andmovethewheelfirmly,but
inacontrolledmanner,inthedirection
ofthespace.
5. Asyourvehiclebecomescenteredin
theparkingspace,straightenthe
steeringwheel.
6. Bringyourvehicletoacompletestop
whenthefrontbumperis
approximatelythreetosixinchesaway
fromthecurb.
7. Checktoensurethatthereissufficient
spaceoneachsideofyourvehiclein
whichothervehiclesmayenterand
depart.

Inordertoexitanangledparkingspot,obey
theseguidelines:

1. Afterstartingyourvehicleandplacing
yourfootfirmlyonthebrakepedal,use
yourturnsignaltoshowthedirection
youwillbebackingout.
2. Aftercheckinginalldirectionsforboth
vehicularandpedestriantraffic,shiftto
reverse.
3. Holdthewheelstraightandease
pressureoffthebrake.Sometimes,a
smallamountofpressureonthe
acceleratormayberequiredtoinitiate
movementbackwards.
4. Whenthebackofthedriversseatof
yourvehicleisinlinewiththeendof
thepavementmarkingsdenotingthe
parkingspace,rotatethewheelslowly
inthedirectionoftheturn.Besureto
checkforproperclearanceinfrontof
yourcarasyoubegintoreverse.
5. Asthefrontofyourvehicleclearsthe
parkingspace,bringyourvehicletoa
completestopandplacetransmissionin
drive.

2) Perpendicular
Parking

Unlikeangle
parking,
perpendicular
parkingallows
parkingforvehicles
travellingboth
directions.Asthe
nameindicates,
perpendicular
parkingspacesare
paintedataninety
degreeangletothecurb.Inordertoentera
perpendicularparkingspace,followtheserules:

1. Indicateyourintentiontoparkbyusing
yourturningsignal,andbringyourcar
toastopaboutfiveorsixfeetinfront
ofthespacetobeentered.
2. Moveslowlyforwarduntilthedrivers
bodyisalignedwiththepavementline
markingthenearsideofthedesired
space.
3. Visuallytargetthecenterofthespace,
andsharplyturnthewheelinthe
directionoftheturnwhilecontrolling
speed.
4. Asthecarbecomesalignedinthe
parkingspace,straightenthesteering
wheel,andbringthecartoahalt
approximatelythreetosixinchesfrom
thecurb.
5. Checktoensurethatthereissufficient
spaceoneachsideofyourvehiclein
whichothervehiclesmaydepartand
enter.
64

Likewise,youmayprefertoreverseintoa
perpendicularparkingspace.Ifthisisthecase,
notethatitisfareasierandsafertoreverse
intoaspotontherightthanontheleft.
Reversingdoeshavethebenefitofallowingyou
todriveforwardoutofthespace.Therefore,in
ordertosafelyreverseintoaperpendicular
space,adheretothefollowingroutine:

1. Ensurethatyouhaveenoughspaceto
performthemaneuverbycheckingfor
bothtrailingandoncomingtraffic.Also,
remainalertforpossiblemovementsby
anyoftheparkedvehicles.
2. Activatetheappropriateturningsignal,
tapthebrakepedaltosignalyour
intentiontofollowingdrivers,andbring
yourcartoahaltwhentherearbumper
ofyourvehicleisinlinewiththemiddle
ofthespacefollowingtheparkingspace
tobeentered.Thisallowsyoutouse
thevehicleoccupyingthatspaceasa
referenceforyourrearturn.
3. Afterrecheckingallmirrorsandthe
surroundingareaforpedestriansand
othervehicles,shifttoreverseandease
offthebrakepedal.
4. Visuallyaimatthecenterofthespace,
turningyourwheelsharplywhilefirmly
controllingyourspeed.Rememberto
usevehiclesoremptyspacesoneither
sideofyourcarasreferencepointsto
calculatetheamountofavailablespace.
5. Asyourcarbecomescenteredinthe
parkingspace,straightenwheel,and
stopvehiclewhenitisinlinewiththe
othervehiclesparkedalongside.
6. Checktoensurethatyouhaveleft
sufficientspacebetweenyourowncar
andothervehicles.

Finally,ifyoumustreversefroma
perpendicularparkingspot,thestrategyis
similartothatofreversingfromanangled
parkingspace,exceptthatyouwillneedtoturn
thewheelatasharperangletostraightenyour
vehicleintheroadway.Ifyoumustdrive
forwardoutoftheperpendicularparkingspace,
simplymoveforwardslowlyaftercheckingfor
pedestrianandvehiculartraffic.Whentheback
ofthedriversseatpassesthevehiclesbeside
you,rotatethewheelsharplyinthedirectionof
thedesiredturn,andslowlyacceleratetomeet
theflowoftraffic.

3) ParallelParking

Muchlikethreepointturns,many
youngdriversfeelintimidatedbyparallel
parkingbecausetheyhaveheardhorrorstories
aboutfaileddrivingtestsandthelike.Intruth,
however,thisfearisunjustified.Likeallother
drivingmaneuvers,
parallelparking
simplyrequires
youtoproceed
througha
structuredroutine.
Besuretocommit
thefollowing
guidelinesto
memory,sincethe
abilitytoparallel
parkisabsolutely
essentialincities
andothercrowded
environments.Itis
recommended
thatyoudonotattempttoparkinaspotthatis
lessthanoneandahalftimeslargerthanyour
vehicle.Althoughexperiencedparallelparkers
canmaneuverintoverytightspaces,itisbestto
simplylookforanothernearbyparkingspace
withmoreavailablespace.

1. Onceyouhaveidentifiedaparking
spacelargeenoughforyourvehicle,
signalyourintentionbyactivatingyour
rightturnsignal,andtapyourbrake
pedaltodemonstratethatyouwillbe
slowingdown.
2. Pullforwardpastthedesiredspace
untilthebackbumperofyourvehicleis
evenwiththebackbumperofthe
vehicleinfrontofthespaceyouwishto
65
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
enter.Yourcarshouldbeapproximately
threefeetawayfromthecartoyour
right.
Reverseslowlywhileturningyour
steeringwheelsharplytotheright.
Whenthebackofthedriversseatis
alignedwiththerearbumperofthecar
infrontofthedesiredparkingspace,
straightenthewheelandcontinue
slowlyinreverse.
Asthesteeringwheelofyourvehicle
passestherearbumperofthecarin
frontofthedesiredparkingspace,turn
yourwheelsharplytotheleftand
continuetoreverse,ensuringthatthere
isasufficientamountofspacebehind
yourvehicletocompletethemaneuver.
Onceyourcarisparallelwiththecurb,
straightenthewheelandcometoa
stopbeforemakingcontactwiththe
vehiclebehindyours.
Shifttodriveandcenteryourvehicle
withintheparkingspace.Youshouldbe
withinonefootofthecurb.
Yououghttounderstandthatmost
individualshavetheirownspecificroutineand
usetheirownreferencepointsforparallel
parking.Asyoubegintopracticetherules
abovewhileparallelparking,lookforreferences
thatmayhelpyounavigateintothespace.
Thereisnosinglerightwaytodoit.Whenyou
plantoexittheparallelparkingspace,checkfor
vehicularandpedestriantrafficaroundyour
vehicle,andreverseasfarasthespaceallows.
Onceyouhaveperformedaheadcheckto
monitorforpassingtraffic,turnthesteering
wheelinthedirectionoftheroadwayandmore
forwardslowly,ensuringthatthefrontbumper
ofyourvehicledoesnotmakecontactwiththe
rearbumperofthevehicleahead.

4) ParkingonaHill

Parkingonahillcanposeanexceptional
risktoadriverbecausethecarcanrollifnot
properlyparkedandpositioned.When
attemptingtoparkonahill,youshouldfollow
thebasicguidelinesforthetypeofparkingyou
wishtodo,whichincludeusingyourturnsignal,
flashingyourbrakelightstosignifyyour
intention,andsteeringgentlytowardtheopen
curb.Onceyouareparalleltotheedgeofthe
roadway,taketheappropriateaction:

x Ifparkingdownhill,whetherornot
thereisacurb,youshouldturnyour
fronttirestowardtheedgeoftheroad.
Bydoingso,youwillensurethatyour
carwilldriftagainstthecurboroffthe
roadincaseofmovement.
x Ifparkinguphillwithacurb,aimyour
tirestowardthemiddleoftheroad.In
thisinstance,ifthecardriftsbackwards,
thefronttireswillstopagainstthecurb.
x Ifparkinguphillwithoutacurb,turn
yourtirestowardstheedgeofthe
roadwayinorderthatyourcarwilldrift
offtheroadwayintheeventof
movement.
ManeuveringontheRoad

1) LanePositions

Often,whenlanepositionisdiscussed,
manystudentsbelievethatitiswhichlaneyou
areinthatisbeingtalkedabout(i.e.right,left,
ormiddlelanes).However,lanepositionmore

correctlymeansthespacethevehicleoccupies
withinasinglelane.Whilemanyyoungdrivers
thinkthatalaneisonlyasinglecarlengthwide,
thereisactuallyenoughspacewithinthelane
foryoutooccupythreedistinctpositions.The
standardwidthofasinglelaneonmost
66
highwaysandmanyotherroadwaysis
approximatelytwelvefeet,givingyou
approximatelysixfeetofspacewithinthelane
thatyourcarwillnotoccupy.Youmayalsobe
surprisedtolearnthattheexactcenterofthe
laneisnotalwaysthemostbeneficialspaceto
occupy.Forthepurposeofourdiscussion,we
willdenotethesethreelanepositionsasLane
Position1,LanePosition2,andLanePosition3.

LanePosition1occupiesthecenterof
thelane.WhiledrivinginLanePosition1,you
shouldhaveapproximatelythreefeetofopen
spaceoneithersideofyourvehicle.Youshould
driveinLanePosition1whenyouaredriving
normallyandwhenthereisnohazardoneither
sideofyourcar.

Meanwhile,LanePosition2occupies
theleftsideofthelane,whileLanePosition3
occupiestherightside.Youcarshouldbevery
closetothelanemarkingsofthesideofthe
laneonwhichyouaredriving.Thesepositions
giveyouapproximatelysixfeetoffreespaceto
theoppositesideofyourcar(althoughyou
mustrealizethatyouwillnothaveverymuch
spaceonthenearsideofyourcar),andare
usedtocreatemorespaceintheeventofa
hazardtoeithersideofthevehicle.Thus,if
thereisapotentialobstructionontherightside
ofthecar,youshoulddriveinLanePosition2;if
theobstructionisontheleftsideofyour
vehicle,utilizeLanePosition3.

2) SharedTurnLanes

Oftenonbusyroadwayswithmany
businessesorsidestreetsonbothsidesofthe
street,youwillfindasharedturnlane(also
knownasacenterturnlaneoratwowayturn
lane).Eachofthesetermsreferstoaspecially
markedlaneinthecenteroftheroadwaywhich
maybeusedforleftturnsbytrafficmovingin
eitherdirection.Sincethelanecanalsobeused
byoncomingtraffic,youmustchecktrafficin
bothdirectionsandbeespeciallysurethatthe
zoneisclearbeforeenteringasharedturnlane.
Itisrecommendedthatyoualwaysyieldthe
rightofwaytoanyvehiclesalreadyoccupying
thesharedturnlane.Afterusingyourturn
signaltodisplayyourintentionandenteringthe
lane,youshouldnotproceedforalongdistance
inthelane.Thisisadangerouspracticeandcan
beconsidereddiscourteousbyotherdrivers.
Onceyoureachthepointatwhichyouwishto
turnleft,againsignalyourintentiontoturnand
bringyourvehicletoastop.Whenyouhave
selectedasafegapintraffic,completeyourleft
turnintothedesiredparkinglotorsidestreet.

Youmayalsoutilizethesharedturn
lanetoreentertheroadwaywhileturningleft
outofaparkinglotorsidestreet.Todoso,
signalyourleftturnasnormalandawaitasafe
gapintraffic.Iftrafficisclearinbothdirections,
simplyproceedpastthesharedturnlaneand
intothenearestthroughlane.However,if
trafficisonlyclearonthenearsideoftheroad,
youmayturnintothesharedturnlaneandstop
yourvehicle.Then,simplysignalarightlane
change,awaitasafegapintraffic,andproceed
intothenearestthroughlane.

3) DrivingThroughCurves

Drivingthroughsharpturnsandcurves
canbeespeciallydangeroustoayoungdriver
becausevisibilityisreducedandoncoming
trafficisnotalwaysreadilydetectable.Because
ofthesesituations,itisadvisedthatyoudrive
withyourheadlightsactivatedevenduring
daylighthours,sinceitwillmakeyourvehicle
morevisibletooncomingcars.Youshould
attempttoanticipateasharpcurveasfarin
advanceaspossible,anddeterminetheextent
andsharpnessofthecurve,whetheroncoming
trafficwillbevisiblethroughoutthemaneuver,
andwhetheryourfieldofviewwillbe
otherwiserestricted.Youshouldalsoalways
approachacurvefromtherightsideofthelane
(LanePosition3),providingamaximumamount
ofspacebetweenyourvehicleandoncoming
traffic.Whiledrivingthroughthecurve,
maintainLanePosition3whenpossibleand
alwaysassesstheroadwaytoensurethatan
escapepathispossible.Whileperformingthe
maneuver,alwaystrytoprovidealineofsight
withoncomingtrafficwhenpossible.
67
PassingandBeingPassed

Youhavenodoubtseenadriverattempta
passonaonelaneroadwaybyenteringalane
utilizedbytraffictravellingintheopposite
direction.Asamatterofsafety,andbecauseof
theriskpresentinattemptingapass,this
maneuvershouldonlybeutilizedwhen
absolutelynecessaryandwhenyouhave
determinedthatthemaneuverissafeunderthe
existingconditionsoftheroadway.Typically,
passingshouldonlybeperformedwhenthe
driveraheadisproceedingataspeedoften
milesperhourlessthanbothyourspeedand
thepostedspeedlimit.Passingisonly
permittedwhenthelaneismarkedwitha
dashedlineinsteadofayellowline.Passingis
alsoillegalwhenthedriverisapproachingahill
crest,curve,orintersectionsinceeachofthese
reducesvisibilityofoncomingtraffic.Ifthe
driveriswithin100feetofabridge,tunnel,or
railroadcrossing,passingisalsooutlawed.The
numberofsituationsinwhichpassingis
forbiddenshouldbeasignaltoyouofthe
dangerthatisinherentinthemaneuver.Ifyou
decidethatitissafeandpropertoattempta
pass,obeythefollowingprocedures:

1. Positionyourvehicletwotothree
secondsbehindthevehicletobe
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

passed,andcheckmirrorsand
oncomingtraffictoensurethatasafe
passingdistanceispresent.
Useyourturnsignaltoindicateyour
intentiontoentertheoppositelaneand
toattemptapass.
Accelerateandmoveintothepassing
lane,andcontinuetoacceleratetoan
appropriatepassingspeed.
Concentrateontheroadaheadwhile
checkingmirrorsquicklyforany
followingtraffic.
Checkyourrearviewmirrortomonitor
whenyouhavesuccessfullypassedthe
trailingcar.Signalyourintentionto
returntothelaneandchangelanes
whilemaintainingyourspeed.
Cancelyourturnsignalandproceedat
anappropriatespeed.
Ifyoufindyourselfinasituationinwhich
anotherdriverwishestopassyou,simplyslow
yourvehiclefurthertoallowhimorhertopass
quickly.Thelawspecificallyprohibitsadriver
beingpassedfromincreasingtheirspeed.There
issimplynoneedtoincreasespeedatthat
point,anddoingsoputsbothyouandthe
passingdriveratrisk.
ApplicableMarylandDrivingLaws

Asinpreviouschapters,presentedhere
isalistofMarylandlawspertainingtothe
topicsdiscussedinthisUnit.Familiarizing
yourselfwiththeselawsasastudytoolwillhelp
reinforcethesubjectscoveredandgiveyoua
headstartinpreparingforyourdrivingtest.

21304PassingontheRight

Thedriverofavehiclemayonly
overtakeandpasstotherightifthe
vehicletobepassedisabouttomakea
leftturn,onthehighwaywith
unobstructedpavementwideenough
fortwolinesofcarstopassthrough,or
onanyonewayroadwayiftheroadway
68
isfreefromobstructionandwide
enoughtoallowtwolinesofvehicles.

21305LimitingPassingontheLeft
Adrivermaynotdrivetotheleftofthe
centeroftheroadwayinordertopass
anothervehicletravellingthesame
directionunlesstheroadwayisclearly
visibleandfreeoftraffic.
21310FollowingTooClosely
Thedriverofamotorvehiclemay
notfollowanothervehiclemore
closelythanisreasonableand
prudent,havingdueregardforthe
speedofothervehicles,andofthe
highwaytrafficandroadconditions.

21801BasicSpeedRule
Apersonmaynotdriveavehicleon
ahighwayataspeedthat,with
regardtotheactualandpotential
dangersexisting,ismorethanwhich
isreasonableandprudentunderthe
conditions.
Consistentwiththerequirementsof
thissection,thedriverofavehicle
shalldriveatanappropriate,
reducedspeedwhenapproaching
andcrossinganintersectionat
whichcrosstrafficisnotrequiredto
stopbyatrafficcontroldevice.
Consistentwiththerequirementsof
thissection,thedriverofavehicle
shalldriveatanappropriate,
reducedspeedwhenapproaching
andgoingaroundacurve.

21804MinimumSpeedRegulation

Unlessreducedspeedisnecessary
forthesafeoperationofthevehicle
orotherwiseisincompliancewith
law,apersonmaynotwillfullydrive
amotorvehicleatsuchaslowspeed
astoimpedethenormaland
reasonablemovementoftraffic.

22201.1Whenlightedlampsare
required

Everyvehicleonahighwayinthis
State,atanytimewhen,dueto
insufficientlightorunfavorable
atmosphericconditions,personsand
vehiclesonahighwayarenotclearly
discernibleatadistanceof1,000
feetahead,shalldisplaylighted
lampsandilluminatingdevicesas
respectivelyrequiredinthissubtitle
fordifferentclassesofvehicles.
69
Unit5Review

1) KeyConceptTerms

Intersection
StaggeredStop
Roundabout
UTurn
ThreePointTurn

2) ReviewQuestions

1. Whenisitappropriateforyoutodrivein
LanePosition1?
____________________________________
____________________________________

2. UsingtheSEEMethod,whatisthefirst
thingthatyoushoulddowhenyou
approachanintersection?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

3. TrueorFalse:Youshouldrefrainfrom
drivinglongdistancesinasharedlefthand
turnlane.
__________________________________

4. Passingispermittedonaroadwaywithone
laneoftrafficmovingineachdirection
whentheyellowcenterlineis:solid,
dashed,orboth?
___________________________________

5. Whenapproachingasharpcurve,what
LanePositionshouldyouattemptto
maneuveryourcarinto?Why?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

6. Howlargeshouldaparkingspacebeforit
tobeconsideredsafeforyoutoparallel
park?
____________________________________

AngleParking
PerpendicularParking
ParallelParking
LanePosition
SharedTurnLane
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Whatprecautionsshouldyoutakewhen
parkingonanuphillinclinewithoutacurb?
____________________________________
____________________________________
______________________________

Atwhatspeedshouldthedriveraheadof
youbetravellingforittobeconsidered
permissibletopassusingalaneof
oncomingtraffic?
____________________________________
____________________________________

Ifanintersectiondoesnotcontainastop
lineoracrosswalk,whereshouldyoucome
toastop?
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whenisitsafeforyoutoperformathree
pointturninthemiddleofaroadway?
Whenshoulditbeavoided?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

TrueorFalse:UTurnsarelegalatall
intersectionsgovernedbyatrafficsignal.
____________________________________
70
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
UNITFIVETEST

Directions:Ontheanswersheet,writethecorrectlettertoanswereachquestion.

Afterpassinganothervehicle,anindicationthatitissafetoreturntotheoriginallaneiswhen
A. Thefrontofthepassedvehicleisvisibleintheinsiderearviewmirror.
B. Therearbumperofthepassingcarhaspassedthefrontbumperofthecarbeing
passed.
C. Thefrontofthepassedvehicleisvisibleintherightsideviewmirror.
D. Thepassedvehiclesignalsthatitissafetodosobyflashingtheirlights.

Toreduceriskwhenenteringanintersection,adrivershould
A. Maintainspeed.
B. Visuallysearchtheintersectionforhazards.
C. Trustthatotherdriverswillalwaysfollowtrafficlaws.

Whenyouparkyourcarwiththefrontpointeddownhill,
A. Turnthefrontwheelstowardthecenteroftheroad.
B. Leavetheautomatictransmissioninreverse.
C. Turnthefrontwheelstowardtheedgeorcurbsideoftheroad.
D. Turnthefrontwheelsawayfromtheedgeoftheroad.

Aproperprocedurewhenbackingoutofanangledparkingspaceisto
A. Checkinalldirectionsforvehiclesandpedestrians.
B. Movestraightbackuntilthebackofthefrontseatisinlinewiththerearofthevehicle
onthesideoftheturn.
C. Keepfootonbrakeforquickstopifneeded.

Atanintersectionthathasastopsignandapedestriancrosswalk,adrivermuststop
A. Atthestopsign.
B. Atorbeforethestopline.
C. Atthepedestriancrosswalk.
D. Attheedgeoftheintersectingstreet.

Arightturnmaybemadeonaredlightif
A. Thecarslowsenoughtoallowthedrivertoseethatthereisnoconflictingtraffic.
B. Oncomingtrafficcanchangelanestoavoidacrash.
C. Thecarisgoingslowenoughthatpedestrianscangetoutoftheway.
D. Thecarmakesacompletestopandthereisnoconflictingtrafficorpedestriansandno
signprohibitingaturn.

Asharedleftturnlanemaybeusedtomake
A. Onlyaleftturnfromahighway.
B. Aleftturnbothfromahighwayandontoahighway.
C. Onlyaleftturnontoahighway.
D. Aleftturnfromahighwayandtopassaslowmovingvehicle.
71
8. Areversiblelanemaybeusedwhenadriversees
A. AredX
B. Agreenarrow.
C. Nooncomingtraffic.
D. Aredarrow.

9. Whenchanginglanes
A. Driversmaychangelanesatanytimeaslongastheyhavetheirturnsignalon.
B. Thedriversinthelanethatthedriverwantstoenterarerequiredtoslowdownand
createasafegapforthedriverwhowantstoentertheirlane.
C. Driversshouldnotuseturnsignalsbecausetheotherdriverswillspeedup.
D. Thedriverwhoischanginglanesisresponsiblefordoingthemaneuversafely.

10. Beforeenteringanintersectionthatiscontrolledbyatrafficsignal,adrivershould
A. Besurethereisroomontheothersidetobeabletoexittheintersection.
B. Checkforcrossingtraffictobesuretheywillstop.
C. Checkforpedestriansandothernonmotorizedvehiclesintheintersection.
D. Alloftheanswersarecorrect.

11. Inarightturn,wherewilltherearwheelstrack?
A. Fartherfromthecurb.
B. Closertothecurb.
C. Itdependsontheturn.
D. Inthesametrack.

12. Whendrivinginmoderateorheavytraffic,youshould
A. Travelmuchfasterorslowerthanothertraffic.
B. Planwellaheadifyouneedtoturn.
C. Notbeconcernedaboutblockedlanesahead.
D. A,BandCareallimportantwhendrivinginmoderateorheavytraffic.

13. Whenpreparingtochangelanes,adrivershould
A. Useaturnsignal.
B. Searchforothercars.
C. Chooseasafegapintraffic.
D. A,BandCareallcorrect.

14. Whenstoppingatastopsignwherethereisnocrosswalkorstopline,thecarshouldbestopped
A. Whereastoplineshouldhavebeenpainted.
B. Beforethefrontofthecarisevenwiththestopsign.
C. Withthefrontofthecarevenwiththestopsign.
D. Beforethefrontofthecarentersthecrossstreet.

15. Whendecidingwhethertopassavehicleaheadofyou,themostimportantfactortoconsideris
A. Thesizeofthevehicleahead.
B. Thesizeofthevehiclebehind.
C. Thespaceandtimeneededtopass.
D. Thespeedofthevehicleahead.
72
Unit 6:
Risk Reducing Strategies for High Speed,

Multi-Lane Expressways and Strategies for
Sharing the Road with Other Vehicles
A) Characteristics of an Expressway

1) Safety Features

2) Signs and Lane Markings

3) Interchanges
B) Trips on an Expressway

1) Short Trips

2) Long Trips and Destination Driving

3) Highway Hypnosis
C) Driving on an Expressway

1) Entering and Exiting

2) Lane Changes and Passing

3) Expressway Restrictions

4) Special Roadway Conditions
D) Commercial Motor Vehicles

1) Stopping Distances

2) No Zones

3) Off-tracking
E) Sharing the Road

1) Other Road Users

2) Emergency Vehicles
F) Maryland Driving Laws
73
Unit6:RiskReducingStrategiesfor
HighSpeed,MultiLaneExpressways
CharacteristicsofanExpressway

Expresswaysarehighspeed(65milesperhour,
orhigherinsomecases),multilaneroadways
whicharedesignedtocarryahighvolumeof
traffic.Werefertoexpresswaysascontrolled
accessbecausetheyareonlyabletobeentered
andexitedatcertainlocations,knownas
interchanges.Abarrierofsomesort(a
guardrail,concretebarrier,ormedian)typically
dividesthelanesoftrafficmovinginopposite
directions.Expresswaysaredesignedtoallow
vehiclestravellingonthemtoreach
destinationsspeedilybyeliminatingtheneed
formosttrafficsignalsandstopsigns.Whileyou
willfindmanydifferenttypesofexpressways
throughoutyourdrivingcareer,therearea
numberofcharacteristicsthatmostofthem
share:

Crosstrafficisnotpresentbecauseof
interchanges.
Asmentioned,opposingtrafficis
dividedbysomeexistingbarrier.
Theyaredesignedtohelpdrivers
anticipateconditionsahead,mostly
throughtheuseofroadsigns.
Pedestrians,bicyclists,andslowmoving
vehiclesarenotpermittedon
expressways.
Collisionandfatalityratesareactually
lowerthanonmostothertypesof
roadways.
Collisionswithfixedobjectsontheside
arereducedbydesign.

1) SafetyFeatures

Becauseoftheinherentriskinvolvedwith
drivingonanexpressway,manysafetyfeatures
havebeenimplementedtoprotectroadway
users.Theseimplementationsoftengolargely
unnoticed,becausemostexpresswaydrivers

(fortunately)neverexperiencethemfirsthand.
Tobesure,theeliminationofintersectionsand
thepresenceofwideshouldersandwidelanes
allcontributetothelowcrash/injury/fatality
rateonexpressways.However,hereareafew
otherdesignedfeaturesthatwereputinplace
tokeepyousafeonexpressways:

Rumblestripsareinstalledattheroad
edgetoalertdriversthattheyare
driftingofftheroadway.
Medianbarriershavebeenredesigned
toprotectlanesofopposingtraffic.
Postsholdingroadsignsaredesignedto
breakawayinordertoalleviatethe
impactofcollisions.
Newguardrailsaredesignedwiththe
endsangledawayfromtheroadway
andburiedintheground.
Collector/distributorlanesareplaced
onhighdensityexpresswaysto
separateslowmovingtrafficfromfast
pacedthroughtraffic.
Electronicmessagesignsareplaced
intermittentlyonexpresswaystoalert
driversofupcomingproblems.

2) SignsandLaneMarkings

Trafficsignals,discussed
inUnit3,areextremelyrareon
expressways.Thisisbydesign,
ascrossingtrafficisnonexistent
andtrafficlightswouldslow
downtheflowofvehicles.
However,youmayseelaneusesignals,
includingagreendownwardarrowandared
X.Thesesignalsaretypicallyseenattoll
boothsandinareaswhichhavereversible
lanes,suchastheBayBridge.
74
UNIT 6: Risk Reducing Strategies for High Speed, Multi-Lane Expressways and Strategies for Sharing the Road with Other Vehicles
Roadsigns,on
theotherhand,
arecommonly
placedon
expresswaysto
helpusers
anticipatethe
roadwayahead.
Commonroad
signsinclude
speedlimit
signs,warning
signs,exit
notices,and
guidesignsfor
gasstations,
dining,andothertravelerservices.Youalso
mayencountermilemarkerswhiletravellingon
expressways.Understandthatexitnumbersare
basedonthesemilemarkers.Utilizingthis
knowledge,ifyouknowyourcurrentmile
markerpositionandtheexitnumberthatyou
arelookingfor,youcanestimatethedistance
andtimethatyouwillneedtotraveltoreach
theexit.Forexample,ifyouareatmilemarker
15andyouneedtoreachexit25,youwillhave
approximately10milestotravel.Likewise,if
youaretravellingtheoppositedirection,and
areatmilemarker30,andarelookingforexit
20,youwillstillhave10milestotravel.Since
youwillbetravellingapproximately60miles
perhourontheexpressway,eachofthesetrips
willtakearoundtenminutestocomplete.In
general,youshouldalwaystakenoticeofthe
roadsignspresentasyoudrive,sincetheseare
yourmosteffectivetoolforgainingknowledge
aboutimpendingconditionsontheroadway.

Pavementmarkingsonexpresswaysare
nodifferentthanthoseonotherstreets.Asolid
yellowlinewillmarktheleftedgeoftheroad.
Unlikeinothersituations,however,youwillnot
needtoworryaboutopposingtraffictravelling
ontheothersideofthisline.Therightedgeof
theroadwaywillbemarked,asusual,witha
solidwhiteline.Lanesoftrafficmovingthe
samedirectionwillbeindicatedbydashed
whitelines.Sinceopposingtrafficisseparated
byacentralbarrier,youwillneverseeadashed
yellowlineonanexpressway.Theonlymarking
thatisuniquetoexpresswaysisawhite
diamondthatmarksHOV(highoccupancy
vehicle)lanes.Theselanesrequireaminimum
numberofpassengers(typicallytwo).Ifyou
attempttousetheselaneswhiledrivingalone,
youmaybepulledoverandgivenacitation.

3) Interchanges

Wehavealreadymentionedthatcrossingtraffic
iseliminatedonexpresswaysbythepresenceof
interchange.Aninterchangeissimplyaseriesof
rampsstretchingontoandfromtheexpressway
thatallowvehiclestoenterandexit.Thereare
afewtypesofinterchangesthatarecommon
enoughthattheywarrantyourattentionatthis
earlystageofyourdrivereducation.

Adiamondinterchangeistypicallyused
whenaroadcarryingalightvolumeoftraffic
meetsanexpressway.Trafficsignalsonthe
secondaryroadpermitleftturnmaneuversfor
vehiclesbothenteringandexitingthe
expressway.

Acloverleafinterchangehasaseriesof
entranceandexitrampsthatresemblethe
outlineofafourleafclover,andiscommonly
usedasaninterchangebetweentwomajor
expressways.Cloverleafinterchangesutilizea
weavelane(whichwillbediscussedlaterin
greaterdetail)inwhichbothenteringand
exitingtraffictravel.

Atrumpetinterchangeoccurswhenan
intersectingsideroadformsaTintersection
withtheexpressway.Thisisgenerallyused
simplytoallowtheflowoftrafficontoandoff
oftheexpresswaytoproceedwithout
decreasingspeedfortrafficsignals.

Finally,afrontageroadinterchange
allowsvehiclestravellingonparallelroadways
(oftencalledfrontageroadsorserviceroads)to
enterandexittheexpressway.Also,drivers
travellingonlyafewmilesontheexpressway
canchoosetosimplyusethefrontageroadin
ordertoavoidtraffic.Thefrontageroadhasthe
addedbenefitofallowingvehiclestoaccelerate
topreparetomeettheflowoftrafficonthe
multilaneexpressway.
75
TripsonExpressways

1) ShortTrips

Inordertoprepareforanytriputilizing
anexpressway,besuretocheckallmechanical
componentsinyourvehicle,including
windshieldwipers,lights,tires,allfluidlevels,
andbrakes.Ifyouaresimplytakingashorttrip
onanexpressway,youshouldconsiderthetime
ofdayinordertoavoidcongestionduringrush
hour.Inaddition,ifyouhavenottravelledto
yourdestinationbefore,youshouldplanyour
route,markingtheroutenumber,aswellasthe
neededentranceandexitnumbers.Itisalsoa
goodideatotravelwithamaporGPSdevicein
caseyouneedtorecheckdirections.

2) LongTripsandDestinationDriving

Whilecertainchecksonyourvehicleshouldbe
madebeforealldriving,extendedtripsrequire
yourcartobeintopperformance.Thus,you
shoulddoaseriouscheckonyourtires,brakes,
lights,andyourentireenginecompartment
beforedepartingonalongdrive.Ifyouare
planningtoloadyourcarwithalargeamountof
weight,remembertodistributeyourluggage
evenlyaroundthecartoavoidweighingyour
cardown.Addingacartopcarrierraisesthe
centerofgravityofthevehicleandadversely
affectsbrakingandsteering,soonlydosoif
completelynecessary.Next,youshouldalways
carryafewbasictoolsincaseofemergency,
suchasamap,flashlight,firstaidkit,abasic
toolset,tirejack,lugwrench,sparetire,and
jumpercables.Insomehighrisksituations,
itemssuchasatowline,gloves,aMylar
blanket,warmclothing,anicescraper,andfood
andwatermaybenecessary.

Onceyouhavepreparedyourvehicle
forthetrip,ensurethatyouknowtheroutein

advanceandcheckonroadconstructionalong
yourintendedroute.Ifyouplanonstayingina
hotel,itisbesttomakereservationsbeforeyou
departforyourtrip.Ifonepersonwillbedriving
theentireway,heorsheshouldneverattempt
todrivemorethansixoreighthoursaday.If
thedrivingresponsibilitieswillbedivided,ten
hoursshouldbeconsideredthemaximum.Itis
besttoavoiddrivingduringnighttimehourson
longtrips,sinceyouwillbemorelikelytodrift
tosleeporloseconcentration.Aftermaking
suretogetagoodnightsrestbeforeyourtrip,
youshouldalsomakesuretotakeanextraset
ofkeys,yourinsuranceinformation,moneyfor
expectedandunexpectedtravelexpenses,your
vehiclesownermanual,andanyotheruseful
resources.

3) HighwayHypnosis

HighwayHypnosisisadulledandinattentive
conditionthatfrequentlyoccurswhenadriver
hasdrivenforalongperiodoftimeonan
expressway.Asthedriverseyesfocusonthe
pavementmarkingsontheexpressway,the
conditioncanbecomeworse.Whilecertain
strategies,suchasventilatingyourvehicleand
changingyourseatingposition,canhelpto
offsettheeffectsofhighwayhypnosis,theonly
realsolutiontotheproblemistostopandrest.
Therefore,whenpreparingforalongtrip,itis
recommendedthatyouplanfrequentbreaks
andreststops.Similarly,velocitizationisa
feelingofinattentionthatcanovertakeyou
afterdrivingforanextendedperiodatahigh
speed.Underthiscondition,youmayincrease
yourspeedgreatlywithoutnoticingthe
accelerationofyourvehicle.Combatthisinthe
samewaythatyouwouldpreventhighway
hypnosis.
76
DrivingonanExpressway

1) EnteringandExitinganExpressway

Entranceandexitrampsprovideone
waydirectionalaccessontooroffofan
expressway.Anexpresswayentranceis
normallydividedintothreesections:the
entranceramp,theaccelerationlane,andthe
mergearea.Theentrancerampisdesignedto
permitaccessfromasidestreetontothe
expressway.Asyouproceedthroughthe
entranceramp,youshouldbeginyoursearchto
findanopengapintrafficontheexpressway.
Youcanthenusetheaccelerationlanetomatch
thespeedofthetraffic(mergespeed)onthe
expresswaywhileusingyourturnsignalto
indicatethatyouwouldliketomergeontothe
expressway.Finally,asyouenterthemerge
area,monitoryourfront,rear,andleftrear
zonestoselectasufficientgapintheflowof
traffic.Ifthereisnotasufficientspaceasyou
movethroughthemergearea,donotkeep
going,simplydecreasespeed(comingtoahalt
ifnecessary)untilitispossibletomerge.As
mentionedbrieflyearlierinthisunit,some
expresswaysuseaweavelanewhichisutilized
bytrafficbothenteringandexitingthe
expressway.Inthisinstance,thecarentering
theexpresswayshouldyieldtherightofwayto
thevehicleexiting.Finally,ifyouareintending
toenteranexpresswayandnoticeasign
markedWrongWayorDoNotEnter,pullto
thesideoftheroadimmediatelyandwaituntil
itissafetoturnaround.
Thetypicalexpresswayexitis
composedoftwoparts.Thedecelerationlaneis
intendedtoprovidethedriverwiththetime
andspacenecessarytodecreasespeedto
matchthespeedlimitoftheexitramp,while
theexitrampconnectstheexpresswaytoan
adjoiningsidestreet.Whenpreparingtodepart
fromtheexpressway,youshouldalwaystryto
identifytheexitearly.Mostexitsaremarkedby
guidesignsplacedamileortwoaheadofthe
exit.Whenyouseethesignfortheappropriate
exit,itisbesttoshifttothefarleftlaneto
preparefordeparturefromtheexpressway.
Whenmovingintothedeceleration,always
remembertocheckyourmirrorsfortraffic
alreadyoccupyingthatlane,especiallyifthere
isaweavelane.Manyexitrampsarefollowed
shortlybyastopsignortrafficsymbol,sothe
drivermuststopinaveryshortdistance.

2) LaneChangesandPassing

Onceyoumergeontotheexpressway,stay
inthefarrightthroughlaneuntilyoumatchthe
flowoftraffic.Whiledoingso,centeryour
vehiclewithinthelaneunlessthereispotential
hazardoneithersideofyou.Youshouldalsobe
mindfulofyourfollowingdistance,andincrease
thatdistanceif:

1. Youarefollowingalargetruck,bus,or
motorcycle.
2. Youaredrivinginbadweather.
3. Ifyouarebeingtailgated.
4. Ifyouaredrivingwithaparticularly
heavyloadorifyouarepullingatrailer.
5. Ifyouareenteringordepartingfrom
theexpressway.

Duringthecourseoftravellingonan
expressway,itmaybenecessaryforyouto
changelanes.Reasonsfordoingsoinclude
enteringorexitingthehighway,allowing
anotherdrivertoenter,followingalargeor
slowmovingvehicle,aclosedlaneahead,being
tailgated,ormakingapass.Ifyouanticipate
makingalanechange,takethefollowingsteps:

1. Maintainasafefollowingdistancefrom
thevehiclesinfrontofyou.
2. Checktrafficahead,behind,andtothe
sides,includingaheadcheckofyour
blindspots.
3. Signalyourintentiontoturn.
4. Selectasafegapintraffic.
77
5. Adjustyourspeedifclear,steerinto
thedesiredlane;ifnot,waitandcancel
yourturnsignal.
6. Onlymoveonelaneatatimeyou
shouldnevertrytoshiftacrosstwoor
morelanes.

Ifyouarebeingpassedonthehighway,
simplymovetoLanePosition3toallowthe
passerasmuchspaceaspossible.Never
increasespeed,asitisagainstthelaw.Itis
oftenhelpfultothepasserifyoudecrease
speedslightly.

3) ExpresswayRestrictions

Becauseofthedesignandthedangers
associatedwithdrivingonanexpressway,there
areanumberofactivitiesthatshouldneverbe
performed,suchas:

Donotdriveacrossthemedianora
yellowpaintedline.
Donotmakealeftturnontoa
crossover,astheseareintendedonly
foremergencyvehicles.
Donotfrequentlyusetheleftlane
exceptforpassing.
Donotchangelaneswithoutsignaling
andcheckingforanadequategapin
traffic.
Donotdriveontoanexpresswayexcept
fromanonramp.
Donotstoporparkontheshoulderof
anexpresswayunlessyouhavea
personalemergencyormechanical
difficulties.
Donoteverreverseonanexpressway.
Pedestriansandbicyclistsarenot
allowedonexpressways.

4) SpecialRoadwayConditions

Ifdrivingonanexpresswayinacityor
crowdedurbanarea,trytoavoiddrivingduring
rushhourorotherparticularlycongestedtimes
ofday.Whenpossible,youshouldalsoavoid
drivinginthefarrightlanetocreatethe
maximumamountofspaceforvehicles
attemptingtomergeontotheexpressway.
Finally,constantlymonitorthezonesaround
yourcartoprovidespacecushionsaroundyour
vehicle,andsearchforexitsearlysothatyou
havesufficienttimetodepartfromthe
expressway.
Ifyoupassadisabledvehicleonthe
expressway,resisttheurgetorubberneck,or
turnyourattentionawayfromtheroadwayto
focusontheaccidentorimmobilizedcar.Ifyou
areinalaneborderingthedisabledvehicle,
moveoutofthelaneortothefarlaneposition
inordertoprovidemaximumspace.Ifitisyour
vehiclethatbecomesdisabled,alwaysattempt
tosteerasfarofftheroadwayaspossible.

Wehavealreadydiscussedsome
considerationstothinkaboutwhiledrivingina
constructionzoneinUnit3.Ingeneral,look
wellinadvanceforwarningsigns,reduceyour
speed,andattempttogiveconstruction
workersasmuchspaceaspossible.

Whenapproachingatollbooth,reduce
yourspeedandscanroadsignsinorderto
determinetheappropriatelane.Normally,
therearethreetypesofbooths:exactchange
booths(thedriverdepositscoinsintoa
machine,andnochangeisreturned),an
attendantoperatedbooth(fordriverswithout
exactchange),andelectronicallyoperated
booths(fordriverswithprepaidaccountslike
SmartTagorEZPass).Whenexitingatollbooth,
monitortrafficoneithersideofyourvehicle
andsmoothlyacceleratetomeettheflowof
traffic.
78
CommercialMotorVehicles

1) StoppingDistances

Whiledrivingasapassengeronan
expressway,youhavenodoubtwitnessedthe
largenumberofcommercialmotorvehicles
(eighteenwheelersandbigrigs).Manyyoung
driversmakethemistakeofthinkingthatthese
vehiclesoperateidenticallytotheirowncars.
Onthecontrary,thesecommercialvehiclesface
uniquechallengesontheroad.Inthissection,
wehighlightthesewchallengessothatyoucan
learntobeespeciallycarefulandcourteous
whensharingtheroadwithalargetruck.

Stoppingdistanceisthetotaldistance
thatavehicletravelswhileattemptingtostop.
Thisincludesperceptiondistance(thetimea
drivertakestoidentifyahazardanddecideto
slowdown),reactiontime(thetimeadriver
takestoexecutetheactiononcehe/she
decidedtoslowdown),andbrakingdistance
(thedistanceavehicletravelsfromthetimethe
brakeisinitiallydepresseduntilitcomestoa
completestop).Manyfactorscanaffectthe
totalstoppingdistanceofavehicle,fromthe
weightandspeedofthevehicletothevisibility
ofthedayandtheconditionoftheroadway.
Withoutgoingintotoomuchdetail,thebottom
lineisthatcommercialmotorvehiclestake
muchlongertostopthanmostothervehicles.
Therefore,ifdrivinginfrontofatruckyou
shouldattempttocreatealargespacecushion
behindyourcar;iftrailingaCMV,realizethat
theywillstartbrakingwellinadvanceofwhena
normalcarwould.

2) NoZones

Whileyoumightthinkthatthehigh
seatingpositionoftruckdriverwouldprovidea
goodviewandexcellentvisibility,CMVdrivers
faceseverelyreducedvisibility.Theexpansive

blindspotscharacteristicofCMVsareknownas
nozones.Inadditiontotheblindspotstothe
sidesofthevehicleswhichcardriversface,
truckdriversalsocannotseeupto200feet
behindthem(duetothecabandlackofarear
viewmirror)anduptotwentyfeetinfrontof
them(duetotheirlargehood).Obviously,ifyou
driveinthenozonesofthesetrucks,youare
puttingyourselfinseriousrisksincethose
driverscannotseeyou.Inordertoeliminate
thisrisk,simplyputalargespacecushion
betweenyourselfandanynearbycommercial
motorvehicle.Asagoodreferencepoint,
understandthatifthedriverofacartrailinga
CMVcannotseethetruckssideviewmirrors,
thedriveroftheCMVwillnotbeabletoseethe
car.Moreover,donotallowyourselftodrive
nexttoalargetruck;ifitisnecessarytomakea
pass,dosoquicklyinorderthatyouclearthe
nozoneinashortamountoftime.Refrainfrom
shiftingbacktotheleftlaneuntilyouarewell
clearofthefrontoftheCMV.

3) OffTracking

Rememberourdiscussionofstaggeredstop
linesplacedatintersections?Ifyouremember
correctly,thepurposeofstaggeredstoplinesis
togivemorespacetolargecommercialvehicles
makingturns.Offtrackingoccurswhenthe
trailerofatruckfollowsatighterpaththanthat
ofthetractor.Sinceofftrackingisoften
unavoidable,truckdriversmustcompensateby
swingingtheirtractorwideintheopposite
directionbeforemakingaturn.Wemention
thisheresothatyouunderstandwhatatrucker
isdoingwhentheyseemtobeswinging
excessivelywideonaturn.Ifyouareinaturn
lanealongsideatruck,itisrecommendedthat
youeitheradvanceinfrontoftheCMVorallow
thetrucktocompleteitsmaneuverbefore
proceedingthroughtheturn.
79
SharingtheRoad

1) OtherRoadUsers

Smallvehicles,suchasmotorcycles,are
light,easilymaneuverable,andcanaccelerate
quickly.Largetrucksandbusestakeaverylong
timebothtoaccelerateandcometoastop.The
bottomlineisthatdifferentvehicleshandle
differently.Onceyouunderstandthisyoucan
accountforthesedifferencesbyslightly
changingyourdrivingstrategies.

Trains,forinstance,cantakeuptoone
miletocometoacompletestop.Therefore,
whenapproachingarailroadcrossing,youmust
checkbothdirectionsbeforeproceedingacross.
Donotsimplytrusttheinactivealarmlightson
thetrack,astheycouldmalfunction.

Sportutilityvehicleshavebecome
increasinglypopularasfamilyvehiclesinthe
lasttwentyyears.Becauseoftheirsizeand
weight,theytakelongertoacceleratebuthave
largeenoughmotorstoreachhighspeeds.Due
totheirheight,SUVscanbeespecially
vulnerabletorolloverswhilemakingsharp
turns,althoughtheirweightcanhelptoprotect
passengersfromharm.

Itisrecommendedthatyoutreat
recreationalvehiclesandautomobilespullinga
trailerasyouwouldaCMV.Asthesevehicles
takealongtimetobringtoahaltandhave
expansiveblindspots,itisbesttoincreasethe
spacecushionsbetweenyourvehicleandthe
RVortrailer.

Whiledrivingthroughaconstruction
zone,youmayfindconstructionvehiclesinthe
roadway.Thesemachinesareusuallyverylarge
andveryloud,andaccelerateveryslowly.
Becauseofthesuddenstopsthatthesevehicles

make,andbecausetheycanbeextremelyjerky,
youshouldnevertailgateaconstruction
vehicle.Thisistypicallytrueoffarmequipment
occupyingtheroadwayaswell,althoughthese
vehiclesoftenmovefarslowerthan
constructionvehicles.

Finally,youmayfindyourselfdriving
behindahorsedrawnvehicle.Ifyouareinthis
situation,youmaypasswithcaution,butbe
carefulnottouseyourhornorrevtheengine
severely,asyoucouldalarmthehorseandhave
anaccident.

2) EmergencyVehicles

Ashasalreadybeenmentionedseveraltimesin
thismanual,therightofwayshouldalwaysbe
yieldedtoemergencyvehicles.Inordertodo
so,simplypulloverascloseasyoucantothe
edgeoftheroadorcurb.Ifyouareinan
intersection,proceedthroughuntilitissafeto
pulltothesideoftheroad.Remainstoppedon
thesideoftheroaduntilthevehiclehassafely
passedunlessdirectedotherwisebyapolice
officer.

Ifyouhappentocomeacrossafire
departmentunitatwork,realizethatitisillegal
todriveoverafirehoseunlessdirectedbyfire
emergencypersonnel.Alsoprohibitedisparking
withinfifteenfeetofafirehydrant.Most,but
notall,firehydrantsaremarkedbya
surroundingnoparkingzone.Ifafire
emergencyvehicleisdrivinginresponsetoa
call,itisillegaltotravelwithin500feetofthe
vehicle.Ifthevehiclehasreachedits
destinationandisatwork,youmaynotparkor
drivewithin300feet.
80
Unit6Review

1) KeyConceptTerms

Expressway
RumbleStrip
HOVLane
DiamondInterchange
CloverleafInterchange
TrumpetInterchange

2) ReviewQuestions

1. Listthree(3)characteristicscommontothe
majorityofexpressways.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

2. Whattypesoftrafficsignalsaremost
commononexpressways?
____________________________________
____________________________________

3. TrueorFalse:Theinjuryandfatalityrates
onexpresswaysarehigherthanthoseonall
othertypesofroadways?
___________________________________

4. Howdoesthestoppingdistanceofa
CommercialMotorVehicledifferfromthat
ofatypicalautomobile?
____________________________________
____________________________________

5. Whenisitmostappropriatetousethefar
leftlaneofanexpressway?
____________________________________
____________________________________

FrontageRoadInterchange
HighwayHypnosis
StoppingDistance
CommercialMotorVehicle
NoZone
OffTracking
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Whatisrubbernecking,andwhydoesit
poseadangertomotoriststravellingonan
expressway?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whateffectdoesofftrackinghaveon
driversofcommercialmotorvehicles?
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whatisaweavelane?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Howcanyouusemilemarkersonan
expresswaytoestimatethetimeitwilltake
youtoreachyourdestination?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

TrueorFalse:Strategiessuchasventilating
yourcarandchangingyourseatposition
caneffectivelyeliminatealleffectsof
highwayhypnosis.
___________________________________
81
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
UNITSIXTEST

Directions:Ontheanswersheet,writetheletterforthecorrectanswer.

Expressways
A. Areonlyinurbanareas.
B. Havenopostedspeedlimit.
C. Arehighspeedhighwaysthatcarryahighvolumeoftraffic.
D. Haveonlyonelaneineachdirection.

Whichoftheseisafeatureofacontrolledaccesshighway?
A. Stopsigns
B. Rumblestrips
C. Trafficlights
D. Crosswalks

A_________isusedforenteringandexitingahighway.
A. Weavelane
B. Rumblestrip
C. HOVlane
D. Passinglane

Onanexpressway,youshouldmaintainagreaterfollowingdistancethannormal
A. Whenfollowingamotorcycle.
B. Whentheweatherisbad.
C. Whenfollowingalargetruckorbus.
D. A,BandCareallsituationsinwhichyoushouldmaintainagreaterthannormal
followingdistance

Whichofthesearepotentialexitrampproblems?
A. Sharpcurvesontheramp.
B. Stoppedtrafficontheramp
C. Takingthewrongramp.
D. Alloftheabove.

Whenenteringanexpressway,intheaccelerationlaneyoushould
A. Searchforagapintrafficandadjustyourspeedtothespeedofthetraffic.
B. Setthecruisecontrolforhighwayspeed.
C. Stopandchecktrafficforasuitablegap.
D. Getasclosetothevehicleaheadaspossiblesoyoucanmergeintothesamegap.

Whatisthebestadviceforstayingsafeonanexpressway?
A. Driveatleast5milesoverthespeedlimittokeepupwithtraffic.
B. Maintainasafefollowingdistance.
C. RideinatrucksNoZonesothatitdraftsyourcarandsavesgas.
D. Stayintherightlaneoftrafficanddrive5milesunderthespeedlimit.

82

8. Whyarecommercialvehiclesandlargetrucksdangersonthehighway?
A. Theytakelongertostop.
B. Theyhavelimitedvisibility.
C. Theyweighmuchmorethanpassengercars.
D. Alloftheabove.

9. Whichofthefollowingitemsarerecommendedforwinterdriving?
A. Extraunderwearandcoffee
B. Cupholdersthatattachtothewindowframe
C. ExtraCDs
D. Awindowscraper,glovesandwarmclothing

10. WhatareNoZones?
A. Areasthatareofflimitstopassengervehicles.
B. Lanescreatedespeciallyforlargetrucks.
C. Areasoflimitedvisibilityaroundlargetrucks.
D. Areasthatarereservedforofficialandemergencyvehiclesonly.

11. Amaplegendcantell
A. Routenumbers.
B. Railroads.
C. Placesofinterestalongahighway.
D. Alloftheabove.

12. Minimumspeedlimitsonexpresswaysarenecessarybecause
A. Drivingtooslowlyisdangerous.
B. Theykeepelderlydriversoffthehighway.
C. Theycontrolspeedinadverseconditions.
D. Theykeepfastdriversintheleftlane.

13. HOVlanesareintendedtobeusedby
A. Carswithseveraloccupants.
B. Emergencyvehicles.
C. Carswithhandicappedtags.
D. Policeofficers.

14. Ifyoumissyourexitonanexpressway,
A. Stopandbackuptotheexit.
B. Callthepoliceforanescortbacktotheexit.
C. Drivetothenextexit,reenter,andreturntotheexityouwanted.
D. Useyourcellphonefordirections.

15. Highwayhypnosisis
A. Adullanddrowsyconditioncausedbydrivingonlong,boringhighways.
B. Agametoentertainchildrenonlongtrips.
C. Usuallyencounteredinrestareaswhentakingabreakfromdriving.
D. Aconditioncommonamongdrivereducationstudentswithboringinstructors
83
Notes
84
Unit 7:
Vehicle Functions, Malfunctions, Collision
Reporting, and Driving in Adverse Conditions
A) Dashboard Warning Symbols
B) Vehicle Failures
C) Visibility

1) At Night

2) Headlight Alignment

3) Glare
D) Inclement Weather

1) Fog and Rain

2) Precautions in Bad Weather

3) Hot and Cold Weather
E) Traction Loss
F) Automotive Technology

1) Occupant Protection

2) Steering and Suspension

3) Tires and Traction Control

4) Electrical Systems

5) Brake Systems
G) Collision Reporting
85
DashboardWarningSignals
AsdiscussedinUnit2,thedashboardof
yourvehicleisequippedwithanumberof
gaugesandindicatorsthathelpyouassessthe
conditionofyourcarandinformyouof
mechanicaltroubles.However,knowingthat
thereisaproblemisoftennotenough.Totruly
feelsecureinthefaceofanemergency,youwill
needtobeequippedwiththeknowledgeof
whatactionstotakewhenyounoticeoneof
thefollowingindicators.Asasidenote,these
warninglightsareoftennotimmediately
accompaniedbynegativeresults,somany
driverschoosetoignoretheirdashboard
indicators.Becauseofthisstrategy,manyminor
malfunctionsdevelopintoserious(andcostly)
vehicularproblems.Taketheinitiativeto
examineyourcar(andseekprofessionalhelp
whennecessary)atthefirstsignofa
malfunction,andyouwillsaveyourselftime,
energy,andmoneydowntheroad.
Thetemperaturelightgauge,shownto
theright,warnsthedriver
thatthecoolantinthe
engineiseithertoohotor
toolow.Ifthegaugereads
toohotorthetemperature
warninglightappears,pullimmediatelytothe
sideoftheroadandseekprofessionalhelp.
Sinceanoverheatedenginecanarisefroma
numberofsourcesandcancauseasubstantial
amountofdamagetoyourvehicle,itisusually
notrecommendedtosearchfortheproblem
yourself.Undernocircumstancesshouldyou
attempttolifttheradiatorcapwhentheengine
ishotasthesubstantialpressureandhotsteam
oftheradiatorcancausesevereburns.
Theoilpressurelightandgauge,
depictedbelow,alertsthedriverthatoilwithin
thevehicleisnotcirculatingattheproper
pressure,orwhenthevehiclelacksasufficient
amountofoil.Intheevent
thatthewarninglightappears,
youshouldstopimmediately
andhaveitrepaired.Theoil
86
Unit7:VehicleFunctions,Collision
Reporting,andDrivinginAdverseConditions
gaugedoesnotreadtheamountofoilinyour
vehicle,butratherthepressureatwhichtheoil
iscirculating.Donotmakethemistakeof
assumingthatbecausethisgaugereads
normallythatyouhaveasufficientamountof
oilinyourvehicle.
Manydrivershavefacedproblemswith
theiralternator/generatorgauge(youmay
oftenhearthisreferredtoasthebattery
indicator),whichmonitorsthevehicles
electricalsystems.Ifthewarninglightappears
orthegaugeindicatesthatthereisdischarge
whiletheengineisrunning,
thealternatorisnot
generatingenough
electricitytoeffectively
chargethebattery.Ifthishappens,thevehicle
willneedtouseenergystoredinthebatteryin
ordertokeeptheenginerunning.Inorderto
maximizetheefficiencyofthislimitedbattery
life,youshouldturnoffasmanyelectrical
devicesaspossible,suchasyourheater,air
conditioner,andradio.Ifthebatteryrunsoutof
electricity,beawarethattheenginecouldshut
offwhileyouaredriving.Therefore,assoonas
youobservethebatterywarninglight,you
shouldhaveyourcarcheckedwithoutdelay.

Thebrakesystemwarninglight
(picturedtotheleft)andtheantilockbrake
warninglight(totheright)typicallyservetwo
separatepurposesintodaysvehicles.The
brakesystemwarninglightis
meanttoalertthedriverthat
theparkingbrakeisengaged
andtoindicatethatpartorallof
thecarsbrakingcomponents
arenotworking.Insome
vehicles,thismayalsobea
signthatthereisan
insufficientamountofbrake
fluid.Ontheotherhand,the
ABSwarninglightwillappeareachtimeyou
startthecar,butshoulddeactivatewithin
moments.Thisisthenormalfunctionofthis
indicator.Ifthelightremainson,thereisa
UNIT 7: Vehicle Functions, Malfunctions, Collision Reporting, and Driving in Adverse Conditions
problemwiththevehiclesantilockbraking
systemthatrequiresaprofessionalsassistance.

Sincemanydriversdonothavefirst
handexperienceofthefunctionofanairbag
(sincetheyareonlydeployedintheeventofa
collision),theairbagwarninglightisoften
ignored.LiketheABSindicator,
theairbaglightshouldappear
eachtimeyoustartthevehicle,
butdisappearsecondslater.If
thelightstayson,youshould
havetheairbagsysteminspectedassoonas
practical.Afaultyairbagcancausesubstantial
amountsofharm,asitmaynotdeployinthe
eventofacollision,oritmaydeployinthe
courseofnormaldriving.Eitheroutcome,
obviously,isunacceptable.

TheServiceEngineorCheckEngine
lightwillnormallyappearwhentheignitionis
activatedbuttheengineisnotturnedon,and
monitorstheoperationof
fuel,ignition,andemission
controlsystems.Ifthe
indicatordoesnotappear
orremainslitafterturning
ontheengine,theremay
beaprobleminyourenginecompartment.
Whenpossible,takeyourcartoarepaircenter
inordertogetthisinspected.

Thefuelgaugeandwarninglightshould
befamiliartoyoubythispoint.Thisgaugetells
thedriverhowmuchfuelremainsinthegas
tankwhentheignitionison.The
lowfuellightwillnormally
activatewhenthereare
approximatelytwogallonsof
gasolineleftinthetank.Itisa
goodstrategytofillupoften,neverallowing
yourvehicletoreachthattwogallonmark.
However,ifyourlowfuelindicatordoesappear,
youshouldheadtoagasstationimmediatelyin
ordertorefuel.

Finally,thedoorajarindicatorisfairly
straightforward,alertingthedriverthatoneof
thedoorstothevehicleis
notcompletelyclosed.The
indicatorwillstaylituntil
thesituationisremedied.If
thelightappearswhileyou
areinmotion,adoorhasbecomeajarandyou
shouldpullimmediatelytothesideoftheroad.
Undernocircumstancesshouldyouattemptto
closethedoorwhilethecarisinmotion.

Atireblowout,orarapiddeflationof
airfromthetire,canhappenatanymomenton
theroadway.Normally,ablowoutiscausedby
(1)hittingasharpobjectthatpuncturesthe
tire,(2)havingadefectivetire,or(3)havingan
underinflatedtirethatlosesitssealwiththe
rimwhiledriving.Inordertoeliminatethethird
cause,youshouldalwaysexamineyourtires
closelybeforeenteringyourvehicle.Whileyou
maybeabletodetectsomedeficienttiresin
thismanner,otherdefectsareunnoticeableto
thenakedeye.Simplyput,despitethebest
preparationandsafestdrivingprocedures,
blowoutsaresometimesunavoidable.Ifafront
tireblowsout,thevehiclewillpullverysharply
inthedirectionoftheflattire.Iftheblowout
occursintherear,thevehiclewillwobble
VehicleFailures
Asyouhavenodoubtascertainedby
now,vehiclesarecomplicatedmachines.While
theirabilitytohavemanysystemscooperating
seamlesslyisoneofthegreatinnovationsof
automobiles,italsoleavesopenthepossibility
thatafailureinoneofthesesystemscan
disablethefunctionofeachoftheother
systems.Thatistosaythatyourvehiclecanfail
inanumberofways,andthatyoumustbe
preparedtotakeimmediateandresponsible
actionintimesofemergency.Inthissection,we
covermanyofthemostcommonvehicle
failures,andprovideyouwithguidelinesto
followshouldyoubesuchasituation.

87
beforepullingslightlyinthedirectionoftheflat
tire.Intheeventofablowout,ensurethatyou
haveafirmgriponthesteeringwheel,asitwill
attempttopullyoutowardstheflattire.
Removeyourfootfromtheaccelerator,butdo
notapplypressuretothebrakeunless
absolutelynecessary,asthiscouldcause
swerving.Asthevehiclebeginstoslowonits
own,activateyouremergencyflashersandscan
forasafeplacetopullofftheroadway.After
comingtoastop,allowyouremergency
flasherstoremainonwhileyouchangethetire
orcallforassistance.

Ifyouremoveyourfootfromthegas
pedalbutitremainsinadepressedposition,
causingtheenginetorace,youarethevictimof
acceleratorfailure.Thiscanoccurwhena
springattachedtothepedalbreaksorwhenthe
pedalsimplygetsstuckinthedownposition.In
eitherscenario,youwillhavelostcontrolover
thevehiclesspeed.Ifyousensethatthe
acceleratorhasfailed,immediatelyshiftyour
transmissiontoneutral.Thiswilllikelycausethe
enginetorace(whichcancausemechanical
problems),butthemostpressingdilemmawill
beaverted.Scanthesurroundingareaforan
escapepath,andsteersmoothlytowardsthis
pathwhilebrakingsteadily.Yourcar,beingin
neutral,willeventuallycometoastop.Beforeit
doesso,ensurethatyouaresafelyremoved
fromtheroadwayandthatyouremergency
flashersareactivated.Turnoffthevehicleonly
whenyouhavecometoacompletestop.Some
driversmistakenlyassumethattheyshouldturn
offtheignitionwhilestillinmotiontostopthe
accelerationofthevehicle.Thisstrategywill
typicallylockthesteeringwheel,preventingyou
fromcontrollingeitherthespeedordirectionof
yourcar.Donotattempttodriveagain,evenif
youcanunjamtheacceleratorpedal,until
havingthepedalrepairedataservicecenter.

Enginefailurecanresultfromany
numberofmaladies,suchasitbecoming
floodedoroverheated.Hearingtheenginestall
whiledriving(onanexpresswayespecially)can
frightenanovicedriver.However,itisessential
thatyouremaincalmandclearheadedwhile
youmaneuversafelyofftheroad.Oncethe
88
enginestalls,youwillfindthatthesteering
columnfacesmuchmoreresistance,requiring
moreforcefromyoutoturnthewheel.Ifyou
hearorfeeltheenginestall,shiftimmediately
toneutralandbegintoscanthesurrounding
areaforanescapepath.Asthecarslowsdown
(usingthebrakesteadily),youcannotattempt
torestarttheenginewhileinmotion,since
mostvehiclesrequirethetransmissiontobein
PARKtostart.Althoughthiswillnotdamage
yourengineorignitioninanyway,we
recommendthatyouattemptthismaneuver
onlyonceinorderthatyouconcentrateon
removingyourvehiclesafelyfromtheroadway.
Onceofftothesideoftheroadandstopped,
trytorestartyourengineagain.Ifunsuccessful,
raisethehoodofthecar,activateyour
emergencyflashers,andcallforassistance.

Ifyousensethattheengineis
overheatingwhileyoudrive,youshould
promptlyturnofftheairconditionerandturn
ontheheaterinyourcar.Whilethismaystrike
youascounterintuitive,theheaterwillactually
worktodrawheatawayfromtheengineand
intothepassengercompartmentofthevehicle.
Safelynavigateawayfromtheroadway,and
turntheengineoff.Rememberthatitisnever
safetoremovetheradiatorcapwhilethe
engineishotduetotheamountofpressurized
steaminside.Seekhelptoidentifythecauseof
theoverheating,whichisoftentheresultoflow
coolantlevelsorastuckthermostat.

Abrakefailurecanoccurwheneither
allbrakesceasetofunctionproperly,orwhen
thefailureinvolvesonlythepowerbrakes.If
youarefacingthecompletelossofbrakes,
pumpthebrakepedal,asthelosscouldonlybe
temporary.Ifyoudonotregaincontrolofthe
brakingsystem,begindownshiftingtolower
gears.Thisstrategy,commontodriversof
vehicleswithmanualtransmissions,usesthe
brakingpoweroftheenginetobringthevehicle
toastop.Assoonaspossible,activateyour
emergencyflashersasasignaltocarstravelling
nearby.Asyousteerintoasafeavenueof
travel,graduallyapplytheparkingbrake,being
mindfultoalsosimultaneouslypressthe
parkingbrakerelease.Ifyourcarhasapedalfor
aparkingbrake,useyourleftfoottodepress
thepedalandyourlefthandtoengagethe
brakerelease.Thiscombinationof
downshifting,steeringforsafeground,and
usingtheparkingbrakewillguideyousafely
awayfromtheroadwaywithouttheuseof
brakes.

Ifitisonlythepowerbrakesthathave
failed,thebrakepedalshouldstillfunction,
althoughnotasefficientlybecauseitwill
requirefarmoreforcetobeappliedthan
normal.Whilemaneuveringtowardsanopen
pathoftravel,youneedonlytopressthebrake
pedalforciblyandsteadilytobringyourvehicle
toahalt.

Similartobrakes,asteeringfailurecan
involveallsteeringfunctionsoronlyapower
steeringfailure.Intheeventofatotalsteering
failure,signalyouremergencybyactivating
yourflashersandusingyourhorntodrawthe
attentionofnearbydrivers.Then,worktobring
yourcartoastopasquicklyaspossibleby
downshiftingandpressingthebrakessteadily
andgradually.Lockingthebrakesinthis

situationcouldcauseaswerve.Onceyouhave
cometoacompletestop,callforassistance.If
thefailureinvolvesonlythepowersteering
function,itislikelycausedbyoneofthree
things:thepowersteeringfluidistoolow,the
enginehasstopped,orthedrivebelthas
slipped.Inanyofthesecases,thecarwillstill
beabletobesteered,butitwillrequiremuch
moreforceforthedrivertoturnthewheel.

Ifyourcarcatchesonfirewhiledriving,
yourfirstactionmustbetomovethecaroutof
trafficandsafelyawayfromallbuildingsand
people.Quicklyremoveeveryonefromthe
vehicleatthispointandmovethematleast100
feetfromthevehicle.Ifthefireisinthe
passengercompartment,youshouldsmotherit,
useafireextinguisher,orcallthefire
departmentformorehelp.Ifinsteadyouare
facinganenginefire,leavethehoodclosedand
immediatelycallthefiredepartment.Water
shouldneverbeusedtoputoutanenginefire,
asitcouldhelpfuelthefire.Instead,anABC
typefireextinguishershouldalwaysbeused.

1) AtNight

Whenwediscussvisibility,weare
talkingaboutyourabilityasadrivertogather
andprocessinformationusingyoureyes.Some
visibilityreducingconditionsaresolelythe
responsibilityofthedrivertocorrect,not
wearingcorrectivelensesandhavingdirtonthe
windshield.Otherscenarios,suchasdrivingat
nightorininclementweather,inherently
reducevisibility.Becauseofthis,specificactions
mustbetakentoprotectyourselfandoffsetthe
diminishedvisibilitythatyouface.
Drivingatnightlimitsthedistancea
drivercanseeaheadofandaroundhisvehicle.
Asmentionedearlier,werecommendthatyou
alwayshaveyourheadlightsactivewhileyou
drive.Atnight,itisrequiredbylaw.However,
thepresenceofstreetlightsandothervehicles
headandtaillightscausesglareandforcesyou
toconstantlyadjusttochangesinlight
intensity,whichputsanenormousstrainon
youreyes.Thedarknessaroundyourvehicle
canalsohaveafatiguingeffect,causingyouto
becomedrowsyasyoudrive.Especiallyon
expressways,thedistancethatyoucanseein
frontofyourcar(inthebeamsfromyour
headlights)isinadequate.Therefore,asyou
driveatnight,youshouldinherentlyreduce
yourspeedandincreaseyourfollowing
distance,grantingmoretimeforyoutorespond
toapproachingobstructionsorhazards.
Moreover,youshouldensurethatyou
windshieldiscleanbeforedrivingasnight,as
thiswillsignificantlyreducetheamountofglare
thatyouface.Inordertoseefartheraheadof
Visibility
89
yourvehicle,youshoulduseyourhighbeams
whenlegalandappropriate.Highbeams
shouldnotbeactivatedininclementweatheror
whenfollowingorapproachinganothervehicle.
Othersafetyhabitsofdrivingatnightinclude
scanningbeyondtheareaofyourheadlights,
turningoffanyinteriorlights,andusingthe
day/nightswitchonyourrearviewmirrorsif
theyaresoequipped.

2) HeadlightAlignment

MarylandStateLawrequiresthatyou
useyourheadlightsfromsunsettosunriseand
duringinclementweather,suchasrain,fog,
snow,oranyothertimethatyouuseyour
windshieldwipers.However,inordertogain
thebenefitsofusingyourheadlights,youmust
understandhowtheyfunctionandhowyou
shouldutilizethem.Ifyourlowbeamsare
activated,thebeamswillhittheroadupto100
or150feetaway,whiletheareaabovetheroad
willbeilluminatedfrom300to500feet.Think
backtoourdiscussionoftotalstopping
distance.Ifyourspeedrequiresatotalstopping
distancegreaterthanthedistancecoveredby
yourheadlights,youareoverdrivingyour
headlights.Youwillsimplynotbeabletostop
yourvehicleintimeafternoticingahazard
instead.Therefore,ifyoudetectthatyouare
overdrivingyourheadlights,itisessentialthat
youreducespeed.Typically,amaximumsafe

speedof45milesperhourisrecommended.If
yourhighbeamsareactivated,theheadlights
willstriketheroadinfrontofyoufromabout
300to350feet,whiletheareaabovetheroad
willbeilluminatedfrom500to1800feet.The
recommendedsafespeedfordrivingwithyour
highbeamsisbetween55and65milesper
hour.Remember,youmustalwaysdimyour
highbeamsifyouarewithin500feetofan
approachingvehicleor200feetofavehicle
travellingthesamedirection,ifyouaredriving
onalightedroadway,orifyouaredrivingin
fog,heavyrain,sleet,snow,ordust.

3) Glare

Glareisdefinedasalightwithinafield
ofvisionthatisbrighterthanthebrightnessto
whichtheeyesareadapted.Thiscanbe
causedbyanexcessoflight,asuddenchange
fromdarknesstolight,orareflectionofsome
brightlightsource.Contributingtotheproblem
ofglarearefactorsincludingvehicleheadlights,
adirtywindshield(whichdiffusesincoming
light),asnowcoveredlandscape,thesun,and
drivingwithyourhighbeamsinfog.Inorderto
reduceglare,youshouldkeepallofyour
windowsclean,keepyourdashboardclearof
objects,makeuseofyoursunvisors,adjust
yourmirrors(usingthenightsettingif
applicable),andwearsunglassesonsunnydays.
InclementWeather

1) FogandRain

Rainfallcangreatlyreducetractionand
visibilityontheroadway.Contrarytopopular
thought,theroadwayisnormallymostslippery
afterrainfallhasjustbegun.Thisisbecausethe
waterwillforcetheoilpresentontheroadto
riseandcreateafilmontopofthepavement.
90
Astheamountofrainfallincreases,thisfilmwill
eventuallybewashedaway,actuallymakingthe
roadsafertodriveon.Thisthreatisreplacedby
thepresenceofpuddles,sheetsofwater,and
theprospectoffloodedpavement.Ifyoufind
yourselfdrivinginrain,beproactiveandreduce
yourspeedandincreasespacecushionsaround
yourvehicle.Immediatelyactivateyour
windshieldwipers,andalwaysattempttobrake
andacceleratemoregraduallythanyouwould
onadryroad.Activatingthefrontandrear
defrosterwillensurethatyourwindshieldsdo
notfogup.Insomecases,hydroplaningmay
occurwhenalayerofwaterbuildsbetweenthe
tiresofyourcarandtheroadway,whichresults
intractionlossandinabilitytosteerandbrake
effectively.Thisphenomenoniscausedbya
combinationofwaterdepth,tirewear,speed,
andthecompositionoftheroadway.Ifyoufind
yourvehiclehydroplaning,shiftyourvehicleto
neutral,activateyouremergencyflashers,and
keepyourwheelspointingforward.Yourtires
willeventuallyregaincontactwiththeroadway.
Atthispoint,shiftyourtransmissionbackto
drive,brakegently,andresumedrivingata
slowerspeedtopreventfuturehydroplaning.

Inextremesituations,floodingmay
occurontheroadway.Firstandforemost,we
stronglyadvisethatyourefrainfromdrivingif
therearefloodingwarningsorifyouthinkthat
floodingispossible.Ifyoufindyourselfonthe
roadduringfloodingconditions,besureto
avoidanyfloodproneareassuchasdips,
bridges,andlowlyingsectors.Ifyouareona
floodedroadway,understandthatmost
vehiclesfloat,thattwofeetofwaterisenough
tocarrymostcars,andcallimmediatelyfor
assistance.

Fogiscausedbythecondensationof
watervaporatlowaltitudeduringperiodsof
extremecooling.Wehavealreadynotedthat
highbeamsshouldneverbeusedinfoggy
conditions,sincethiscanincreaseglareforboth
youandotherdrivers.Whileyoushould
decreasespeed,neverstoponafoggyroad,as
approachingvehicleswillnotbeabletosee
you.Activateyourwindshieldwiperstokeep
yourwindshieldclear,andactivateyour
defrostertoincreaseyourvisibilityslightly.If
thefogbecomestooheavy,turnonyour
emergencyflashersandlookforanexitfrom
theroad.Ifitisimpossibleforyoutodepart
fromthehighway,cometoastopsafelyoffthe
roadattheendofaguardrailandbackupas
closetotheendofaguardrailasyoucan.Turn
offallyourlights(sofollowingdriversdonot
assumethatthelaneturnsinyourdirection)
andwaitforthefogtolift.

2) PrecautionsinBadWeather

Inclementweathercanexistina
numberofforms,fromrainandfogtosnow
andice.Listedhereareafewgeneralstrategies
(someofwhichhavealreadybeenmentioned)
thatyoucanuseasareferencewhenpreparing
todriveinbadweather:

Alwaysmakeuseofyourheadlightsand
windshieldwipers.
Beconstantlyalertforvehiclesstopped
ontheroadway.
Bepreparedfortheeffectsofgustingor
strongcrosswinds.
Reducespeed,andmakeallofyour
steering,accelerating,andbraking
actionsgentlyandsteadily.
Inseveresnowconditions,lookfora
nearbyhighwayexitandturnonyour
radioforaweatherreport.
Youcanuseyourcellphonetocheck
conditions,butnotwhiledriving!
Thingslikesmokeandfog,althoughnot
normalprecipitation,requiretheuseof
windshieldwipers.

3) HotandColdWeather

Whilevehiclesaredesignedtooperate
underawiderangeofconditionsandinawide
rangeoftemperatures,someextreme
conditionsrequirespecialattentionandspecific
preparations.Ifthetemperaturegetseither
veryhighorverylow,youshouldmakea
detailedcheckofyourtires,fluidlevels,and
belts.Specificallyincoldweather,yourtires
shouldbebalanced,aligned,andhaveadequate
tread.Whilethelegalminimumtreaddepthof
atireis2/32ofaninch,thatamountisnot
sufficientfordrivinginextremelycoldweather.
Also,coldweathercanreducethepressurein
yourtiresrapidly,soconstantchecksare
required
91
TractionLoss

Tractionisthegripbetweenthetires
andtheroadsurfacethatallowsavehicleto
start,stop,andchangedirection.Becausethere
ismoretractionbetweenarollingwheeland
theroadthanbetweenaslidingwheelandthe
road,youmustalwayskeepthewheelsrolling
bynotlockingthebrakeswhensteering(anti
lockbrakesassistwiththisprocess).Traction,
however,isnotaconstant.Whiletheremaybe
agoodleveloftractionatonemoment,sand,
gravel,water,andincreasedspeedcanreduce
tractioninamoment.Tractionlosscanoccur
dueto(1)theconditionoftheroadway,(2)the
conditionofthevehicle,and(3)theactionsof
thedriver.

Asdiscussedpreviously,inclement
weathercausestheroadtobecomeslippery
anddecreasestraction.Possiblehazardous
conditionsincludeice,snow,awetroad
(especiallydangerousjustaftertherainhas
begun),standingwater,mud,andwetleaves.
Themoreuneventheroadsurface,theharderit
willbetomaintainconstanttraction.

Apoorlymaintainedvehiclecanalso
contributetotractionlossontheroadway.If
yourbrakesareunevenlyadjusted,thevehicle
willpullstronglyinonedirectionandcontribute
tosliding.Likewise,uneventiretreadsortire
pressurecanalsoincreasethedegreetowhich
avehiclewillpullinonedirection.Forthese
reasons,itisessentialthatyoumakeconstant
checksofyourvehiclesperformance.

Mostdriverinducedskidsarecausedby
acombinationofexcessivespeedandan
exaggerateddriveraction.Theseactionsinclude
suddenandseveresteering,anabrupt
applicationofthebrakes,orasudden
engagementoftheclutchonaslipperysurface.
Asthedriverattemptstorecoverfromanyof
thesemovements,thevehiclesweightwillshift
dramaticallyinonedirection,forcingthewheels
tobecomeslightlydisengagedfromthe
roadway.
92

Tractionlosscanoccureitheratthe
fronttiresorbacktires.Ifthevehiclecontinues
tomovestraightaheadwhilethedriveris
steeringtoonesideortheother,tractionhas
beenlostatthefronttires(thisiscalled
understeering).Inordertocorrectfront
tractionloss,directyourvisiontothetargeted
pathoftravelandbegintoengageyouranti
lockbrakingsystemasyoueaseoffyour
steeringinputs.Excessivesteeringcancausethe
tractionlosstogreatlyincrease.

Ifyoubegintooversteer,orthevehicle
beginstomoveeitherleftorrightwhileyouare
attemptingtogostraight,youhavelosttraction
toyourreartires.Again,immediatelydirect
yourvisiontowardandeaseoffthebrakeand
acceleratorwhiletryingtosteersmoothly
towardyourdesiredpathoftravel.Ifyourcaris
equippedwithaTractionControlSystem,it
shouldbeactivatedimmediately.

Iflossoftractionforcesyourvehicleoff
theroadway,itisimperativethatyouremain
calm.Panickingwillonlyexacerbatethe
problem.Instead,keepaclearheadandfollow
thefollowingsteps:

Refrainfromsteeringtooabruptly.
Easeofftheacceleratoranddonot
brake.
Removebothwheelsfromthe
pavementandsteertogetparallelto
thepavement.
Iftheroadisclear,easebackontothe
pavementonewheelatatime.
Limityoursteeringinputstolessthan
aneighthofaturnofthewheel
Stayfocusedondirectingyourvehicle
tothecenterofthelane,asitiseasyto
oversteerandslingshotintoalaneof
oncomingtraffic.
AutomotiveTechnology

1) OccupantProtection

Astechnologyhasadvanced,carshave
becomemoreequippedwithcomplexdevices
designedforyoursafety.Thesedevicesinclude
thefollowing:

AntilockBrakes:Brakesdesignedtoallow
simultaneoussteeringandbrakingwithout
losingvehiclebalance.Anonboardcomputer
willautomaticallyandrapidlypumpthebrakes,
preventingthemfromlockingup.Inorderto
utilizeanABSeffectively,applyfirmandsteady
pressureontothebrakepedalanddonotbe
alarmedbyresistanceorvibrationfromthe
pedal.
TractionControl:Systemdesignedtoactivate
thebrakesystemwheneveritdetectsthata
wheelhaslosttractionandisspinning.Youcan
thinkofaTCSasthereverseofantilockbrakes
itallowsforaccelerationwithoutthelossof
balance.
SuspensionControl:Systemdesignedtokeep
thevehiclelevelthroughadjustmentoffluidor
airpressureateachofthewheels.Thisensures
thateachwheelisalwaysstrikingtheground
withconstantforce,althoughthese
adjustmentsgoalmostcompletelyunnoticedto
thedriver.
ElectronicStabilityProgram:Systemdesigned
tocomparethesteeredangle(wherethedriver
wantstogo)tothecamberangle(thewheel
alignment),andappliesanyoneofthebrakes
whenitsensesalargediscrepancybetweenthe
two.Thishelpsthedriverregaincontroland
stabilityofthevehicle.
CrumpleZoneandSideImpactPanels:
Featuresthatallowstructurestocollapseat
differentrates(somecrumplequickly,someare
designedtostayintact)inordertoreducethe
riskofpenetrationintothepassengerseating
areaintheeventofanaccident.
TemperedGlass:Specialformofglassthathas
eliminatedtheriskoffacialdisfigurementthat

formerlyoccurredwhenadriverwaspartially
ejectedthroughthewindshield.

Inordertomakethebestuseofthese
occupantprotectiondevices,therearesome
generalpracticesthatyoushouldemployinan
emergencywhenyoufeelthataskidorcollision
isunavoidable.Theseincludeavoidingheadon
collisions,driving(ratherthanskidding)offthe
roadway,hittingsomethingsoft(acollectionof
bushes)ratherthansomethinghard(afirmtree
trunk),hittingastationaryobjectwitha
glancingblowinsteadofstraighton,and
avoidingdirectimpactinallotherscenarios.

2) SteeringandSuspensionSystems

Thesteeringandsuspensionsystemswithin
yourcarfunctiontomaintainvehiclestability
whileallowingthewheelstomaintainconstant
contactwiththegroundandmove
independentlyofthemomentumfromthebody
ofthecar.Thesteeringsystemspecifically
controlsthepositionandalignmentofthefront
twowheelsandallowsthedrivertochangethe
directionofthecar.Inordertomakeeffective
useofthesteeringsystem,takethefollowing
precautions:

Neverattempttoturnthesteering
wheelpastthelimitoftravel(the
farthestpointthewheelswillturnto
theleftortheright).Ifyoudoso,you
willhearashrillscreechandshould
adjustyoursteeringslightlyinthe
oppositedirection.
Avoidhittinganyobstructionsinthe
roadwaysuchascurbsorpotholes,as
thiscancausedamagetothesteering
system.
Refrainfromturningthesteeringwheel
whenthevehicleisnotmoving,asthis
coulddamagethesystem.
93
Periodicallyhavetheconditionofyour
steeringsysteminspected.
Thesuspensionsystem,meanwhile,isintended
tokeepthevehicleswheelsinconstantcontact
withthegroundandpointedinthedirection
thedriverissteering,whileprovidinga
comfortablerideforthepassengersofthe
vehicle.

3) TiresandTractionControl

Thetiresystemisvitalbecausetheyarethe
onlypointsofcontactbetweenyourvehicleand
theroadway.Thesetiresmustboth(1)absorb
theshockofroadhazardsand(2)provide
tractionforthedriver.Tiresareratedonthe
UniformTireQualityGradingSystem,which
wasdesignedtoprovidetheconsumerwith
informationaboutthequalityoftiretheyare
purchasing.TheUTQGSoffersgradesonthree
aspectsoftireperformance:

Traction:Measuresthetiresabilitytostop
acarinastraightaheadmotiononawet
road.TirescanberatedA,B,orC,withA
providingthebesttractionandCtheworst
traction.
Temperature:Indicatesthetiresabilityto
withstandheatandpreventagainsta
blowout.TiresgradedAarethemostheat
resistant,followedagainbytheBandC
ratings.
Treadwear:Measureshowmanymilesthe
tireisexpectedtolastbeforeareplacement
isnecessary.Atirewithatreadwearrating
of150isexpectedtolast50percentlonger
thanatirewitharatingof100.

4) ElectricalSystems

Inordertoproperlyfunction,avehicle
requiresanelaborateandcomplexsystemof
circuitstoproduce,store,anddistributeall
requiredelectricity.Whilemostelectrical
systemfailuresrequireprofessional
maintenance,asincludeherealistofbasic
components,alongwithashortdescription,so
94
thatyoucanhavesomeconceptoftheproblem
asitisdescribedtoyou.

Battery:Energyisstoredhereinchemical
formandisusedtosupplytheelectricityto
starttheengineandrunsecondarydevices
suchastheclockandradio.
StarterMotor:Anelectricmotorthat
crankstheengineduringstartup.
IgnitionCoil:Transformsa12voltcurrent
tothousandsofvoltsinordertoprovide
enoughpowertostarttheengine.
Distributor:Asthenameindicates,this
devicesimplydistributeselectronicsurges
tothesparkplugs.
SparkPlugs:Providethenecessarysparkto
ignitetheairfuelmixtureintheengine
combustionchamber.
Alternator:Rechargesthebatteryand
powerstheentireelectricalsystem.
VoltageRegulator:Stabilizesthepower
levelinthevehicleandpreventsapower
surge.
FuseBox:Preventsminorproblemswith
theelectricalsystemfrombecomingmajor
issues.

5) BrakeSystems

BrakeSystemsworkbyconvertingthe
kineticenergyofyourvehicle(momentum)into
thermalenergy(heat).Whenadriverapplies
thebrakepedal,thousandsofpoundsof
pressureareexertedoneachofindividual
brake,slowingtherotationofthetire.Asthis
rotationslows,thefrictionbetweenthetireand
theroadwayprovidesadditionalstopping
power.
Generally,vehiclesareequippedwith
twobrakingsystems.Thefirstisthestandard
dualhydraulicbrakesystem(whatyouthinkof
whenyouconsideringthestandardbrake
pedal),inwhichthefronttwowheelsare
controlledbyonesubsystem,andthereartwo
wheelsbyanother.Thesecondisamechanical
brakesystem(yourparkingoremergency
brake),whichallowsthedrivetomanually
activatetherearbrakes
Collisions
Oftendespitethebesteffortsof
drivers,collisionsdooccur.However,notall
collisionsarecreatedequal,asthesecanrange
fromminorfenderbenderstohighimpact,life
threateningcollisions.Intheeventofacollision,
youshouldstopyourcarasclosetotheincident
aspossiblewhilenotobstructingtrafficmore
thanisnecessary.Ifanyoneisinjured,you
shouldfirstrenderreasonableassistanceand
notifyemergencyresponsepersonnel.You
shouldthencallthepolicetofileareportonthe
accidentandexchangepertinentinformation
withanyotherdriversinvolvedinthecrash.
Includedinthisinformationshouldbeyour
name,address,vehicleregistrationnumber,
driverslicensenumber,andinsurance
information(yourinsurancecompany,policy
number,andtagnumber).Whenapoliceofficer

arrives,onlyprovideaccurate,honestfactsand
refrainfromarguingoverwhoistoblame.You
shouldalsonotadmitfaultifthequestionis
trulyupintheair.Otherusefulproceduresto
observeatthesceneofacollisionincludetaking
pictures,recordingroadandweatherconditions
duringtheaccident,notingthenameofthe
hospitaltowhichinjuredpartiesweretaken,
andrecordingthenameandidentification
numberoftherespondingpoliceofficer.
Asanexceptiontotheguidelineslisted
above,understandthatthepolicedonotneed
tobenotifiediftheaccidentisminor,no
injuriesareconcerned,faultisobvious,andthe
partiesarecooperative.Asafinalstep,be
proactiveinnotifyingyourinsuranceagentofa
collisionimmediatelyaftertheaccidenttakes
place.
95
Unit7Review

1) KeyConceptTerms

TireBlowout
Visibility
OverDrivingHeadlights
Glare
Hydroplaning

2) ReviewQuestions

1. TrueorFalse:Likethegasgauge,theoil
gaugedepictshowmuchoilispresentin
yourvehicle.
____________________________________

2. Whattwobrakingsystemsarevehicles
typicallyequippedwith?
____________________________________
____________________________________

3. Trueorfalse:Ifyourpowersteeringsystem
fails,yourcarwillstillbeabletobesteered
manually.
____________________________________

4. Howcanyoureduceglarewhiledriving?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

5. Mustyoualwayscontactthepoliceinthe
eventofacollision?Whyorwhynot?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

6. Trueorfalse:Ifyourvehiclelosestraction
ontheroadway,youshouldimmediately
applythebrakesfirmly.
____________________________________

96

Understeer
Oversteer
AntiLockBrakes
UniformTireQualityGradingSystem
Dashboard
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Nameanddescribetwotechnological
advancesinoccupantprotection.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whatisthedifferencebetweenthebrake
systemwarninglightandtheantilock
brakewarninglight?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whattypesofareasontheroadwayshould
youavoidduringfloodconditions?
____________________________________
____________________________________

TrueorFalse:Iftheactivationofawarning
lightisnotaccompaniedbynegative
performance,youshouldstillgetthe
problemchecked.
________________________________

Whatinformationshouldyouexchange
withadriverwhenyouareinvolvedina
collision?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
UNITSEVENTEST

Directions:Ontheanswersheet,writetheletterforthecorrectanswertoeachquestion.

Ifyouaredrivingandadashboardwarninglightcomeson,
A. Ifthelightisred,stopassoonasitissafetodosoandhavetheproblemrepaired
beforedrivingagain.
B. Ifthelightisyellow,havetheproblemcheckedandrepairedsoon.
C. Theownersmanualwillexplainwhatitmeans.
D. A,BandCareallcorrect.

Whichofthefollowingwarninglightsshouldyourespondtoimmediately?
A. Windshieldwasherfluid
B. Oilpressure
C. Serviceenginesoon
D. Airbagwarninglight

Whichofthefollowingshouldyoudoifyouhaveatireblowout?
A. Brakehard.
B. Gripthesteeringwheelfirmlytomaintaincontrolofthecar.
C. Drivetothenearestservicestation.
D. A,BandCareallcorrectactionstotake.

Whichoftheseisasteptotakeifyourvehiclecatchesfire?
A. Steeroutoftrafficandawayfrompeopleandbuildings.
B. Donotopenthehoodiftheengineisonfire.
C. Useahosetoputthefireout.
D. BothAandBarecorrect.

Whenanemergencyvehiclethathasitslightsandsirenonapproaches,youshould
A. Pulltothecurbandstopoutoftheway,clearofanyintersection.
B. Slowdown,butdonotpulloverandstop.
C. Speedupsoyoucanstayoutoftheway.
D. Yieldtotheemergencyvehicleonlyifyoudecidethatitisrespondingtoareal
emergency.

Ifyoucausedamagetoanunattendedvehicle,youshould
A. Attempttolocatethedriverofthedamagedvehicle.
B. Leaveanotewiththenameandaddressoftheownerofyourvehicle.
C. Leaveanotewiththetagnumberofyourvehicle.

Carbonmonoxideisdangerousbecause
A. Itmakesyourvehiclerunpoorly.
B. Itisodorless,colorless,tastelessanddeadly.
C. Itcausespeopletoactinanaggressivemanner.
D. Itisacontrolleddangeroussubstance.
97
8. Whendrivinginfog,
A. Uselowbeamheadlights.
B. Usehighbeamheadlightsforbettervisibility.
C. Useyourhornat10secondintervals.
D. Turnontheheatinyourvehicle.

9. ABSstandsfor
A. Abdominals.
B. Alwaysbrakesafely.
C. Antibrakesystem.
D. Antilockbrakingsystem.

10. Theconditionofavehicleridingonafilmofwaterisknownas
A. Lanesurfing.
B. Hydroplaning
C. Skimming
D. Understeering

11. Roadsmaybeespeciallyslippery
A. Afterithasbeenrainingforseveralhours.
B. Justafteritstartstorain.
C. Intheleftlane.
D. Onasunnyday.

12. Ifyouhaveunexpectedlydrivenofftheroadandwanttoreturntoit,youshould
A. Brakehard.
B. Jerkthesteeringwheeltotheleft.
C. Easeofftheacceleratorandcarefullysteerbackontotheroadway.
D. Pushhardonthegaspedaltospinwheel.

13. Whenencounteringavehiclewithitshighbeamson,youshould
A. Avoidlookingattheapproachingvehicleslights.
B. Turnonyourhighbeams.
C. Turnonyourhazardflashers.
D. Weavebackandforth.

14. Ifyourvehicleencountersstrongwinds,youshould
A. Increasespeed.
B. Stoponthehighwayuntilthewinddecreases.
C. Openthewindowstoallowthewindtoblowthrough.
D. Reducespeed.

15. Thetractionbetweenavehicleandtheroadmaybeaffectedby
A. Ice,snowandfrostontheroad.
B. Waterontheroadsurface.
C. Gravelorabrokenroadsurface.
D. A,BandCallaffecttraction.
98
Unit 8A:
Alcohol and Other Personal Factors
Influencing Operator Performance (Part 1)
A) Maryland DUI Laws

1) Introduction and Basics

2) Driver Responsibilities and Breath Testing
B) Evaluating Impairment

1) Costs of Drinking and Driving

2) Blood Alcohol Contentration Factors

3) Drink Equivalents

4) Elimination Rate
C) Effects of Alcohol

1) Physical Effects

2) Psychological Effects

3) Varying Effects of Alcohol
D) The Act of Driving Drunk

1) Why Do Teens Drive Drunk?

2) Alcohol and Space Management

3) Common Signs of Drunk Drivers
E) Other Drugs
F) Maryland License Restrictions
99
Unit8A:AlcoholandOtherPersonalFactors
InfluencingOperatorPerformance(Part1)
MarylandDUILaws

1) IntroductionandBasics

Onaverage,alcoholrelatedcrashes
occureverytwominutesintheUnitedStates,
whichaccountforover16,000deathsperyear
oroverfortypercentofalltrafficfatalities.
Operatingamotorvehiclerequiresan
individualsfullattentionandconcentration,
whichalcoholsdebilitatinginfluenceona
personsphysicalandpsychologicalfunctions
makesimpossible.Itshouldcomeasnosurprise
toyou,then,thatmanystrictlawshavebeen
enactedtopreventdrunkdriving.

Thedireconsequencesofdrivingunder
theinfluencearethedirectresultofbad
decisionsmadebyasingleindividual.Inorder
tocombatthisbaddecisionmakingprocess,
thisunitisaimedatprovidingyouwith
necessaryinformationabouttheeffectsof
alcoholonyourbodyandthedangersof
consumption,aswellasthesevere
consequencesofsuchactions.

TheStateofMarylandhasaZero
ToleranceLawwhichprohibitsanylicense
holderundertheageof21fromdrivingor
attemptingtodriveamotorvehiclewitha
bloodalcoholconcentration(BAC)of0.02%or
higher.BloodAlcoholConcentrationissimply
theconcentrationofalcoholinapersons
bloodstream.Youmayfinditsurprisingthata
zerotolerancelawallowsforasmall(0.01%)
amountofalcoholinyourblood.Donotbe
fooledthisissimplytoallowforthesmall
discrepanciespossiblewhenusingthe
equipmentwhichthepoliceusetodetectBAC.
Thepresenceofanyalcoholinyour
bloodstreamcanbeconsideredaviolationof
thezerotolerancelaw.Takeamomentto
considerthereasonswhyMarylandwould
enactsuchalaw.Onesuchexplanationisthat
nooneundertheageof21shouldhave
experienceinconsumingalcohol.Becausethe
effectsofalcoholonthemindandbodyare
newtotheyoungmanorwoman,wecannot
100

expectthattheywillbeaccuratelyableto
evaluatetheirabilitytooperateamotorvehicle
competently.Whatotherreasonscanyouthink
of?

MarylandLawstatesthatifan
individualisfoundtohaveaBACof0.08%or
higher,fromananalysisofbloodorbreath,
he/sheisguiltyofdrivingundertheinfluence
perse.Heorshewillloseherlicense
immediately.Youmaynotknow,however,that
ifyouareshowntohaveaBACof0.07%or
evenlower,youcanstillbeshowntohavebeen
drivingwhileimpaired.Itcannotbestatedmore
clearly:Ifyouhaveconsumedanalcoholic
beverage,youshouldrefrainfromdrivinguntil
youareabsolutelycertainthatyouhave
soberedupcompletely.Theconsequencesof
drivingundertheinfluencearesimplytoo
seriousforyoutoriskit.Atthispoint,itshould
gowithoutsayingthatMarylandLawalso
forbidsanyonefromconsuminganalcoholic
beveragewhileoperatingamotorvehicle.

1) DriverResponsibilitiesandBreathTesting

Whenyoureceiveadriverslicense(starting
withyourlearnerspermit),youtacitlyconsent
toabreathtestgivenatapolicefacilityIfan
officerhasprobablecausetosuspectthatyou
havebeendrivingundertheinfluenceof
alcohol.Thisisknownasimpliedconsent.
Whenthebreathtestisperformedatthepolice
facilityandthesubjectfails,immediate
penaltiesareimposed.Ifthesubjectrefusesto
complywiththebreathtestatthepolicefacility
(arepudiationoftheirimpliedconsent),their
licensewillbeimmediatelysuspendedforsix
months.

Whenasubjectispulledoveron
suspicionofdrunkdriving,thepoliceofficerwill
advisethepersontobetestedandexplainhow
theresultsofthetestwillbeused.Hemayalso
requestapreliminarybreathtest(PBT),which
wouldbeconductedimmediatelyatthescene.

UNIT 8A: Alcohol and Other Personal Factors Influencing Operator Performance (Part 1)
ArefusaltoconsenttoaPBTdoesnot
representaviolationoftheimpliedconsent
law.However,youshouldnotassumethatyou
cantrickthesystembyrefusingaPBTto
allowyourselfmoretimetosoberup.Itisvery
rarethattherewillbeasignificantdifferencein
BACfromaPBToratestgivenatapolice
facility.Itisgenerallyagoodideatocooperate
withthepoliceofficeratthesceneasmuchas
possible.However,ifyoudecidethatyouwould
ratheronlybetestedatthestation,you
certainlyhavethatright.
EvaluatingImpairment
Wehavealreadydiscussedthatthe
problemofdrunkdrivingarisesfromaseriesof
baddecisionsmadebyoneindividual.Manyof
thesedecisionsoccurbecauseanindividual
convincedhim/herselfthattheeffectsof
alcoholhavewornoffeveniftheyhavenot.You
caneliminatethosebadchoicesbylearning
howtoevaluateyourlevelofimpairment.
Doingsoinvolveslearningthetruecostsof
drunkdriving,learningwhatfactorscan
increaseyourBAC,andlearningwhattruly
eliminatesalcoholfromthebloodstream.

1) CostsofDrinkingandDriving

Tothispoint,muchofthiscoursehasfocused
onthetechnicalaspectsofoperatingamotor
vehicle.Earningadriverslicensedoesnotonly
simplyinvolveknowinghowtodrive,though,
butalsotheabilitytohandleadult
responsibilities.Thisstartswithyourcapacityto
considerthepotentialconsequences,both
shorttermandlongterm,ofyouractions,and
toacceptanypersonalandfinancial
responsibilitiesfortheharmyoucauseto
yourselfandothers.

Whenwetalkofthecostofdriving
drunk,wegenerallyspeakbothintermsof
time,money,andpunishment.Takeamoment
toconsiderallthatadrunkendrivingconviction
couldentail.First,theroutinetrafficstopand
subsequentarrestandbreathtestwouldtake
upwardsoffivehours.Ifyouareajuvenile,your
parentswillbenotified,whichwillcertainly
carryadditionalpunishments.Yourlicensewill
immediatelybesuspended,limitingyour
freedom.Youwilllikelybeheldincustodyfora

minimumoffourhoursoruntilyouaresober,
andyoumayberequiredtopostbail.Ifthere
wasnotasoberdriverpresentwithyou,your
carwouldbetowedforafeeofafewhundred
dollars,whichyouwouldberesponsiblefor.If
youneededaspecialexemptiontodrive
anywhereotherthanschoolandwork,you
wouldneedtoscheduleanappointmentwith
theMVAwhichcouldtakethreetofivehours.
Hiringanattorneywouldcostatleastafew
hundreddollars,andsometimesuptoseveral
thousand.Finally,youwouldhavetoappearin
court,whichtakestimeandwouldrequireyou
tomissmultipledaysofschool.

Whiletheabovesituationmightseem
extremetoyou,itisthereality.Wedidnot
evendiscusstheadditionalsanctionsthata
judgecouldimposeagainstyouincourt.By
takingthetimenowtounderstandthefinancial
andtemporalburdenthatadrunkdriving
convictioncanplaceonyouandyourfamily,
youwillhopefullybeabletoconsiderthe
consequencesofyouractionsbeforegetting
behindthewheelwhileimpaired.

2) FactorsAffectingBloodAlcohohol
Concentration

Iftwopeopleeachhadafewalcoholicdrinks
andweregivenabreathtest,itishighlyunlikely
thattheywouldhaveanidenticalBAC.The
reasonforthisisthattherearemanyfactors
whichcanaltertherateatwhichalcoholis
absorbedintothebloodstream.Afewofthese
factorsare

101
WeightGenerally,heavierpeoplehave
morebloodintheirbodyandotherbodily
fluidswhichdilutethealcoholconsumed.
Therefore,itiscommonforapersonthat
weighs,forexample,130lbs.tohavea
higherBACthanapersonthatweighs180
lbs.
TimeSpentDrinkingOnaverage,alcohol
inthebodyisoxidized(eliminated)atarate
of.015%perhour.IfTimdrinksthreebeers
inanhour,andJondrinksthesamethree
beersinthreehours,itislikelythatTimwill
haveahigherBACthanJon.Asasidenote,
mostoxidationofalcoholtakesplaceinthe
liver.Sincealcoholistoxictothebrainand
theliver,manychronicalcoholicsface
severeliverdiseaseastheyage.
GenderStudieshaveshownthatwomen
eliminatealcoholfromtheirbodiesata
slowerratethanmen.Thisisduetothefact
thattheyoftenweighlessthanmen,and
thattheydonotproduceasmuchofan
enzymethathelpsbreakdownalcoholinthe
liver.
FoodRecentlyeatenfooddoescoatthe
liningofthestomachandslowsabsorption
intothebloodstream.AlthoughBACwill
likelybeslightlyreduced,thealcohol
presentinyourbodywillstillhavethesame
effectonyourbrain.Interestingly,ifyou
consumealcoholtogetherwithcarbonated
beverages,theabsorptionratewillactually
increase,sincegascanbeabsorbedquicker
thanliquids.

3) DrinkEquivalents

Notallalcoholicbeveragesarecreatedequal.
Forexample,abottleofwhiskeyhasa
considerablyhigheralcoholcontentthandoesa
winecooler.Therehasbeenacommonmyth
perpetuatedthatasinglealcoholicdrinkis

102
eithera12ouncebeer,a6ounceglassofwine,
orashotofliquor.Thetruthisthatyoushould
consideradrinktobeahalfounceofalcohol,
regardlessofthebeverage.Inordertoascertain
thealcoholiccontentofadrink,youneedto
findtheproofofthealcohol,whichislistedon
thebottle.Onehalfoftheproofequalsthe
percentageofalcoholofthedrink.Asageneral
guideline,mostbeerscontainbetweenthree
andelevenpercentalcohol;wineisbetween8%
and25%;andliquorbetween26%and75%.
Understandingtheamountofalcoholyouare
actuallyconsumingisofparamountimportance
inevaluatingthelevelofyourimpairmentand
decidingwhetherornotyoucanoperatea
motorvehicle.

4) EliminationRate

Howlongdoesittaketosoberup?Like
everythingelseinvolvingalcoholconsumption,
thisisdependentonanumberoffactors.
Anotherpopularmythisthattheaverage
personcantolerateonedrinkperhourwithout
becomingsubstantiallyimpaired.Therearealso
manysupposedremediesforsoberingup,
suchasdrinkingcoffeeortakingahotshower.
Studieshaveconsistentlyshowntheseactivities
tohaveanegligibleeffectonapersonslevelof
impairment.Therealityisthatsobrietyonly
returnswithtime.Asmentionedabove,your
BloodAlcohoholConcentrationwilllikely
decreaseapproximately0.015%eachhourthat
youdonotdrink.Toooften,peopleattemptto
drivebecausetheyfeelsober.By
rememberinghowmuchalcoholyouhave
consumedandkeepingtrackoftime,youwill
beabletoapproximatewhenyoumaybeable
todriveagain.Asalways,erronthesideof
caution,andifthereisanywaythatyoucan
avoiddriving,itisalwaystherecommended
courseofactionwhenalcoholisinvolved.

EffectsofAlcohol

1) PhysicalEffects

Makenomistakeaboutit:alcoholisaserious
drugthatcandoseriousharm.Becausealcohol
islegalandubiquitousinourcountry,itiseasy
toforgetthedangeritposestoyourbody.
Beforedecidingtoconsumealcohol,consider
someofitssideeffects:

BrainAfterabsorptionintothe
bloodstream,alcoholisdispersed
throughoutbodilyfluids.Sincemanyfluids
areconcentratedinthebrain,alcoholcan
poseaseriousrisktobrainhealth.Asa
depressant,alcoholworkstodepressnerve
cells,whichimpairsbrainfunction.Thisis
oftenaccompaniedatfirstbyamildfeeling
ofeuphoriaandlossofinhibition.Asalcohol
affectsmoreofthebrain,emotions,
concentration,andcoordinationbecome
impaired.Finally,yoursensesofsight,taste,
smell,andvisionwillbecomedulled,and
painperceptionwillbelost.Theimpairment
ofthebrainalsoleadstoalossofmotor
skills,whichcreatesthesignaturestumble
ofdrunkindividuals.
LungsFrequentconsumptionofalcohol
caninhibityourbodysabilitytofight
infectionsandcancausebreathingtostop.
Asyoulosecontrolofyourreflexeswhile
intoxicated,youmayfindyourselfunableto
clearyourairwayintheeventofchokingor
vomiting.
StomachAlcohol,atoxicsubstance,can
irritatethestomach,leadingtopepticulcers,
bleeding,andevencancer.
HeartAsyoulosecontrolofreflexes,the
heartmusclesabilitytopumpbloodcan
becomerestricted,causingabnormalheart
function.Prolongedalcoholabusecancause
anemiaandabnormalbloodclotting
resultinginexcessivebleeding.Thislossof
whitebloodcellsinturncanloweryour
bodysabilitytofightinfection.

LiverSincetheliverismainlyresponsible
fortheeliminationofalcoholfromthebody,
itisparticularlysusceptibletodamage.
Commonmaladiesincludealcoholic
hepatitisandcirrhosis,thescarringand
destructionoflivercells.Astheliversability
toremoveyellowpigmentisreduced,your
skillwillbecomejaundiced.Finally,yourliver
canaccumulatefatwhichcancauseliver
failure,coma,anddeath.
IntestinesandPancreasAlcoholcanimpair
thebreakdownandabsorptionofnutrients
bydamagingthecellliningintheintestinal
tract.Thepancreascanbecomeinflamed
andleakdigestiveenzymes.Abuserscan
expecttoexperiencenausea,vomiting,and
lossofappetite.
BonesandMuscleAlcoholinterfereswith
thebodysabilitytoabsorbcalcium,
resultinginweakandbrittlebones.Muscles
alsocanbecomeweakeranduncoordinated.

2) PsychologicalEffects

Likethephysicalmaladiesthataccompany
alcoholconsumption,thepsychologicaleffects
arevaried.Thisisalargepartofthereasonthat
manypeoplefallintoapatternofbaddecisions
whentheyhaveconsumedalcohol.

JudgmentandReasoningThesearethe
veryfirstpsychologicalfunctionstobe
affectedbyalcohol,andbecomeimpairedas
soonasyoubegintodrink.Thiscanstarta
chainreactionofpoordecisionsthatcan
causeharmtoyourselfandothers.
AttentionAlcoholseverelylimitsan
individualsabilitytoconcentrateonseveral
sourcesofinformationforanextended
periodoftime.Ifyouarenotabletopay
attentiontoaconversationformorethana
fewmoments,shouldyoubetryingto
operateamotorvehicle?

103
MemoryAlcoholaffectstheabilitytostore
andretaininformation.Thisiswhymany
peoplecannotremembereventsthat
occurredwhiletheywereintoxicated.
AggressionAlcoholtendstoenhance
aggression,particularlyinmaleswhenthey
areplacedinacompetitivesituation.

3) VaryingEffectsofAlcohol

Wehavealreadydiscussedthattwopeople
drinkingtheexactsamethingcouldhave
dramaticallydifferentBACs.Inaddition,alcohol
canhaveadifferentvisibleeffectondifferent
people.Somefactorsthatcaninfluencethis
include:

ToleranceManydrinkersdevelopanability
tomasktheeffectsalcoholhasontheir
brainandbody.ThisdoesNOT,however,
affecttheirintoxicationlevel.
PersonalityPeoplehaveunique
personalities.Often,alcoholcanserveto
intensifythemoodofthedrinker.Therefore,
ifsomeoneisangrybeforetheydrink,they
couldbecomebelligerent.Iftheyaresad,
theycouldbecomedepressed.
ExperienceAninexperienceddrinkerisat
extremeriskbecausetheimpairmentof
alcoholisanewsensationforhimorher.
Liketolerance,experiencedoesnotaffecta
personsactualBAC.
FatigueAlcoholisadepressant.Itwill
compoundtheeffectofanyonethatis
alreadytiredorfatigued.
MedicationThechemicalreaction
betweenalcoholandmedicationscan
produceacompoundeffectthatismuch
strongerthanthatofalcoholorotherdrugs
whentakenalone.Youshouldnevermix
medicineandalcohol.
AgeTheneurologicaldevelopmentofthe
braincontinuesuntilapersonisintheir20s.
Memoryandlearningcapacitycanbe
severelyaffectedbyalcoholuseduring
adolescence.
TheActofDrivingDrunk

1) WhyDoTeensDrink?

Manystudieshavebeenconductedto
discoverthereasonthatteenagealcoholic
consumptionissoprevalentintheUnited
States.Whileeveryteenagerthatchoosesto
drinkisdifferent,itislikelythatmanyofthem
dosoforsomecombinationofthefollowing
reasons:

PeerPressure
ParentalInfluence
Anxietyorfrustrationaboutschool,
sports,relationships,orfamily
Tohaveagoodtime,ortoparty
Tocelebrateaspecialoccasion
Tobreaktherulesorbearebel

104

Considerthesereasonsforamoment.
Whiletheymightseemsillytoyourightnow,
manyofthemcanexertaprofoundinfluence
onayoungpersonslife.Donotmakethe
mistakeofignoringtheseortakingthemlightly.
Ifpresentedwiththeopportunitytoconsume
alcohol,thinklongandhardabouttheshort
termandlongtermconsequencesofdoingso.
Whatbenefitswillyougetoutofit?Whatharm
couldcomeuponyouorothers?Isitreally
worththerisk?

2) AlcoholandSpaceManagement

Wehavealreadydiscussedthe
profoundeffectthatalcoholcanhaveonthe
brainandthesenses.Asyoursenseofsight
becomesdulled,youmayexperiencetrouble
focusing,doublevision,lackofdepth
perception,alackofperipheralvision,and

impairedmotorskills.Itshouldcomeasno
surprisethatoperatingamotorvehicleunder
theseconditionsisextremelydangerous.

ThinkbacktoUnit4,whenwe
discussedtheSEEMethodofSpace
Management.Imaginethedifficultiesposedby
alcoholintryingtomaintainaproperdistance
betweenyourownvehicleandobstacles
aroundthecar.Asyousearchtheroadway
ahead,thealcoholwillcauseyoutorestrict
yourfieldofvisionandwillreduceyourability
tojudgedistances.Itiscommonforadrunk
drivertostareatthecenterlineinsteadof
keepingtheireyesmovingaheadofthevehicle.
Whileevaluatingthesituationaroundyou,
alcoholwillmakeitdifficulttoprocessmultiple
variablessimultaneously.Finally,when
attemptingtoexecuteamaneuver,your
coordinationwillbeaskew,yourreactiontime
willbediminished,andyouwillhavetrouble
accuratelyjudgingspeed.Inpractice,itissimply
impossibletoemploytheSEEMethodwhile
undertheinfluenceofalcohol.

3) CommonSignsofaDrunkDriver

Oneofthemostharrowingexperiencesofa
youngdriverscareerisanencounterwitha
recklessorirresponsibledriver.Inorderto
protectyourself,committhesemethodsof
recognizingintoxicateddriverstomemory:

x Turninginanexcessivelywideradius
x Straddlingthecenterlineofaroadway
x Drivingontheshoulderofaroadway
x Weavingorswervingbetweenlanes
x Driftingslowlyofftheintendedpathof
travel
x Respondingslowlytotrafficsignals
x Failingtodimhighbeams
x Stoppingfornoreason
x Travellingatexcessivelyslowspeeds
x Erraticbraking
x Signalinginconsistently
x Rapidaccelerationordeceleration
x Followingtooclosely
x Makingillegalandabruptturns

Ifyouhappentocomeacrossadriver
exhibitinganyofthesebehaviors,itis
recommendedthatyoupositionyourvehicleat
asafedistancefromtheoffender.Ifitisnot
possibletosafelyremoveyourselffromdanger
whilecontinuingtodrive,youshouldpulloffof
theroadwayuntilthethreathaspassedby.
Finally,youshouldnotifythepoliceofany
recklessdrivingthatyouseetakeplace.
OtherDrugs
Whilespecialattentionisgivento
alcoholbecauseofitsprevalenceinoursociety,
thedangerposedbyotherdrugsisnoless
serious.Alldrugsalteryourstateofmindand
makeitimpossibletofocusyourfullattention
onthedrivingtask.Recreationaldrugusecan
haveasevereanddebilitatingeffectonyour
perceptionandjudgment,coordination,vision,
andmood.Marijuana,inparticular,restrictsa
driversabilitytokeepavehiclemovingina
straightline,impairsadriversdepth
perception,andlimitsthedriversattention
span.Manyprescriptionmedications,including

tranquilizers,stimulants,andnarcotics,can
affectyourbodysimilarlytoillicitdrugs.Even
overthecountermedicationslikecold
medicinesandantihistaminescanmakeyou
drowsyandinattentive.Therefore,when
purchasingmedicine,checkwithadoctoror
pharmacistwhetheritissafetooperatea
motorvehicle.

Combiningrecreationalormedicinal
drugswithalcoholtendstoamplifytheeffects
ofeach.Thisisknownasthesynergisticeffect,
andcanposeextremehealthrisks.Youshould
NEVERmixanysortofdrugandalcohol.

105
MarylandLicenseRestrictions
Whileonthetopicofresponsibleadult
behavior,weshouldtakethistimetodiscuss
howyourlicenseshouldberightfullyused,and
thewaysinwhichpeopleabusetheprivilegeof
adriverslicense.IntheStateofMaryland,itis
illegaltodisplayorusealicenseinanyofthe
followingways:

x Useofafalsenameonalicense
x Possessionofmorethanonelicense
x Useofacanceled,suspended,or
revokedlicense

106
x
x
x
x

Usinganotherpersonslicenseasyour
own
Lendingyourlicensetosomeoneelse
Displayingorpossessingafalselicense
(afakeID)
Alteringtheinformationonthelicense
inanyway.
Failuretocomplywithanyofthese
prohibitionsmayresultinprosecution,fines,
lossoflicense,andevenjailtime.Youshould
consideryourdriverslicensetobeaprivilege,
andtreatitinanadultandresponsibleway.

Unit8AReview

1) KeyConceptTerms

SynergisticEffect
ZeroToleranceLaw
BloodAlcoholConcentration
ImpliedConsent

2) ReviewQuestions

1. TrueorFalse:Ifanindividualispulledover
onsuspicionofDUI,takentothepolice
station,andatestshowsthatheorshehas
aBACof0.07,he/shecanstillbefound
guiltyofDUI.
____________________________________

2. Whataresomepossiblereasonsthat
MarylandhasadoptedaZeroTolerance
Law?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

3. Listthree(3)effectsofmarijuanaonan
individualsabilitytoeffectivelyoperatea
motorvehicle.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

4. Howcanyouusetheproofofaparticular
beveragetodiscoveritsalcoholcontent?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

BreathTesting
EliminationRate
Depressant
PreliminaryBreathTest

5. Whatisthefirstpsychologicalfunctionto
beaffectedbyalcohol?
____________________________________
____________________________________

6. Namethree(3)reasonsthatteensmay
begintoconsumealcohol.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

7. Whatactionsshouldyoutakeifyou
encounteradrunkdriverontheroad?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

8. Whyisthebrainespeciallysusceptibleto
beingharmedbyalcoholdamage?
____________________________________
___________________________________

9. Trueorfalse:Ifapoliceofficerwishesto
giveyouaPBT,youmustacceptoryouwill
beimmediatelystrippedofyourlicense.
___________________________________

10. Namethree(3)factorsthatcanaffectthe
BloodAlcohoholConcentrationofa
particularperson.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

107
UNIT EIGHT A TEST

Directions: On the answer sheet, write the letter for the correct answer to each question.
1. What happens if you are stopped by a law enforcement officer and refuse to take a breath or
blood test for alcohol levels?
a. The officer will take you home.
b. Your parents are called.
c. Your license is revoked.
d. Your license is suspended.
2. What does BAC stand for?
a. Blood Analysis Content
b. Blood Alcohol Concentration
c. Blood Alcohol Consumption
d. Blood Alcohol Commitment
3. Taking drugs and alcohol together or two or more drugs together
a. Slows the bodys reaction time.
b. Increases the effects of each.
c. Gives a person more time to enjoy the effects.
d. Has no effect on the body.
4. What drug other than alcohol is most often found in drivers involved in crashes?
a. Cocaine
b. Heroin
c. PCP
d. Marijuana
5. The only way to reduce BAC is to
a. Wait until the body eliminates the alcohol over time.
b. Take a cold shower.
c. Drink lots of coffee.
d. Exercise.
6. Someone with a BAC of ______ is considered to be driving while impaired by alcohol.
a. 0.02%
b. 0.07%
c. 0.08%
d. 0.10%
7. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is
a. Not a problem in the United States.
b. A serious problem in the United States that is the result of people making bad decisions.
c. Okay is someone does it only on special occasions.
d. Only dangerous where there are a lot of police officers.
108
8. Implied consent means that

a. By operating a motor vehicle the driver has consented to take a chemical test for blood
alcohol concentration if detained by a police officer.
b. A driver under 21 years of age has consented not to drive with more than .02% BAC.
c. A driver over 21 years of age has consented not to drive with more than .08% BAC.
d. One driver in a group has consented to be the designated driver.
9. The motor vehicle law in Maryland prohibits drivers younger than __ years of age from
operating a motor vehicle with alcohol in their blood.
a. 16
b. 18
c. 21
d. 25
10. The psychological factor first affected by alcohol use is
a. Memory b. judgment and reasoning
c. emotions
d. aggression
109
Notes
110
Unit 8B:
Unit 8B: Alcohol and Other Personal
Factors Influencing Operator Performance
(Part 2)
A) Fatigue and Drowsy Driving
B) Road Rage

1) General Information

2) Factors Leading to Road Rage

3) Signs of Aggressive Drivers

4) Preventing Road Rage
C) Emotions and Driving
111
Unit8B:AlcoholandOtherPersonalFactors
FatigueandDrowsyDriving
Fatigueisastateofphysicaland/or
mentalwearinessthatresultsfromaperiodof
extendedactivityandischaracterizedby
reducedefficiencyofbrainfunctionand
reducedcapacityforwork.Itcanbecausedby
anillness,alackofsleep,extendedphysical
activity,emotionalstress,orsimplythebodys
naturaldowntime(whichusuallyoccurs
betweenmidnightand6AM,andbetween1
and3PM).Whyshouldyoubeconcernedabout
fatiguewhileyoudrive?Itcanimpairyour
vision,causeyoutotakeincreasedrisks,slow
yourreactiontime,inducehighwayhypnosis,
anddullyoursenses.Ifthissoundssimilarto
theeffectsofalcohol,itshould.Manystudies
haveshownthatexcessivefatigueactsonthe
bodymuchlikealcoholconsumptiondoes.You
willknowwhenyouarefatiguedbyageneral
feelingoftirednessinyourbodyandmuscles,
stiffnessinthejoints,andanoverallfeelingof
sleepiness.Whenyouarefeelingfatigued,you
shouldneveroperateamotorvehicle.Inorder
todelaytheonsetoffatiguewhiledriving,you
shouldrefrainfromtakinglongtrips,avoid
leaningforwardorbackward,keepyoureyes
moving,andgetplentyoffreshairbyopeninga
windowinyourvehicle.Ifthereisapassenger
inyourvehicle,youshouldtaketurnsdrivingat
regularintervalstokeepfrombecomingtired.
DrowsyDrivingisaconditioninwhich
thedriverofavehiclebeginstofallasleepat
thewheel.TheU.S.NationalHighway

TransportationAdministrationestimatesthat
approximately100,000reportedcrashes
annuallyinvolvedrowsinessasaprimarycausal
factor.Thisismostlikelyanunderestimateof
thetruefigure,sincethereisnoeasytestto
determinedrowsinesslikethereisfor
intoxication.Ifyoueverfeellikeyouarefalling
asleepwhiledriving,immediatelypulloffthe
roadwaytogetsomerestorfindanother
driver.Youshouldnevertrytomakeittoyour
destination,astheriskissimplytoogreatthat
youwillfallasleepwhileenroute.

Whoismostatriskofsuccumbingto
fatigueanddrowsydriving?

x Anydriverwhoissleepdeprived,who
hasdrivenalongdistancewithoutrest
breaks,whoisdrivingatatimewhen
theyareusuallyasleep,orwhois
drivingaloneonaboring,ruralroad.
x Anyfrequenttravelersuchasbusiness
travelersorcommercialmotorvehicle
drivers.
x Anyonewhohastakenmedicinethat
increasesdrowsinessorhasdrank
alcohol.
x Youngdriverswhotendtostayuplate
anddonotgetenoughsleep.
x Shiftworkerswhohaveirregularor
nontraditionalworkinghours.
RoadRage

1) GeneralInformation

RoadRageisasocietalconditioninwhich
motoristsbecomeviolentinreactiontotraffic
disturbancesordriverbehavior.Automobile
crashesinvolvingroadrageareoftennot
accidents,butratheroccurasaresultof
112

irresponsibledriverswhospeed,tailgateother
motorists,runredlights,andweaveinandout
oftrafficwithoutadequatewarning.Roadrage
istypicallycharacterizedbyalossofcontrolof
emotionandjudgmentandthepropensityto
usetheautomobileasaweapontoattack
othermotorists.

UNIT 8B: Alcohol and Other Personal Factors Influencing Operator Performance (Part 2)
Roadragecantypicallybedividedinto
threecategories:quietroadrage,verbalroad
rage,andepicroadrage.Quietroadrageisthe
leastinvasiveofthethree,andinvolves
complainingabouttheactionsofotherdrivers
andafeelingofcompetitionwithother
motorists.Verbalroadrageinvolvesyelling,
cursing,andhonkingatothermotoriststoshow
yourdispleasure.Finally,epicroadrage,the
mostdangerousofthethree,involvestaking
actiontodirectlyendangeranothermotorist,
includingblockingthem,cuttingthemoff,
chasingtheminyourautomobile,andinthe
mostextremecases,fightingorshootingatthe
vehicle.Understandthatangeristhebasisofall
formsofroadrage,andthatotherdriversmay
actirrationallyiftheyfeelthattheyhavebeen
violatedortheirsafetyhasbeenjeopardized.

2) FactorsLeadingtoRoadRage

Inthepastfewdecades,roadragehas
becomeanincreasingproblemintheUnited
States.Thisriseintheinstancesofaggressive
drivingcanbeattributedtoanumberoffactors,
including:

Morecarsonexistingroadways,leading
togreatercongestion.Inthelastthirty
years,thenumberoflicenseddriversin
theUnitedStateshasincreased87%,
buthighwaycapacityhasincreasedonly
5%.Thismeansthattheexpansionof
roadwayspacehasnotmetthe
expansionofroadwayusers.
Theselfimposedanxietiesofdrivers.
Anynumberofscenarioscouldcausea
driveradditionalstress,suchas
problemsinhis/herpersonallifeorthe
possibilityofbeinglateforan
appointment.Thekeyistorecognize
stressfulthoughtsandtopreventthem
frominfluencingyourdriving.

3) SignsofAggressiveDrivers

Inordertokeepyourselfandyourpassengers
safefromharm,itisessentialthatyoubecome
skilledatidentifyingaggressivedriversand
placingyourvehicleatasafedistancefrom
thesedrivers.Typically,aggressivedrivers
exhibitsomeorallofthesebehaviors:

Tailgatinganothermotoristtourge
themtogofaster
Flashinglightstosignalanother
motoristtomoveoutoftheway
Weavinginandoutoftraffic
Cuttingothermotoristsoff
Increasingspeedtobeatayellowlight
Exhibitingimpatiencewithslower
movingtraffic
Frequentlymakinguseofthehornor
screamingatothermotorists
Excessivespeeding
Refrainingfromcomingtoacomplete
stopatstopsigns
Makingobscenegesturestoother
motorists
Passingontheshoulderorunpaved
areas

Takeafewmomentstobrainstormafew
otheractionsthatcouldbeattributableto
aggressivedrivers.Equallyimportant,asyou
beginyourdrivingcareer,takethetimeto
determinewhetheryouexhibitanyofthe
behaviorslistedabove.Ifso,theymustbe
eliminatedfromyourdrivingroutine
immediately.Thereissimplynoplaceonthe
roadwayforaggressivedrivers.

4) PreventingRoadRage

Aswehavealreadymentioned,thebest
strategytoemploywhenyouencounteran
aggressivedriveristoremoveyourselfas
quicklyfromthesituation.Ifthisisimpossible,
however,whatcanyoudotominimizeyourrisk
andpreventthesituationfromescalating?
First,thereareanumberofdriving
errorsthatcouldattracttheangerofother

113
roadwaysusers.Byabstainingfromthese
actions,youarelesslikelytobecomeengaged
withanaggressivedriver.Theseinclude
changinglaneswithoutproperlysignaling,
speedingexcessively,brakingsuddenlytoscare
anothermotorist,andcriticizingotherdrivers.
Alldriversmakemistakes.Ifanothermotorist
accidentlyputsyouindanger,thereissimply
nothingtobegainedfromuppingtheanteby
assumingthatheorshediditonpurposeand
retaliating.
Ifyouareconfronteddirectlybyan
aggressivedriver,youmustletgoofyourpride
andego.NEVERtrytoengageinanysortofa
competitionwithanothermotorist.Ifthe
opposingdrivertriestogetyourattention,
ignoreallgesturesandrefusetoacknowledge
himorher.Ifsafe,trytogetoutofthewayof
thevehicleandrefrainfromtailgatingor
blockingthecarspathoftravel.Ultimately,if
thedriverwillnotleaveyoualone,pulltothe
sideoftheroadimmediatelyuntilthecarhas
passedby,andproceeddrivingwhensafe.

Finally,understandthatyoucannot
controltrafficorothermotorists.Thisisthe
reasonthatdrivereducationissoimportant.In
orderforourroadwaystobesafe,eachand
everydrivermustbegiventhetoolstobecome
aresponsibledriver.Theonlythingthatyoucan
doiscontrolyourreactiontotrafficconditions.
Indoingso,itisalwaysbesttokeepacool,level
headandtoreactcalmlytoeverysituation.
EmotionsandDriving
Wehavediscussedatlengththatyoumust
beinapropermentalstateinorderto
effectivelyandresponsiblyoperateamotor
vehicle.Anyemotion,fromangerandanxietyto
joyandlovecannegativelyaffectyour
performancebehindthewheel.Noticethatthis
doesnotonlyapplytonegativeemotions,such
assadnessorgrief,butalsotopositive
emotionslikeexcessivehappiness.Onemust
approachdrivingasataskthatrequiresaclear
headandalogicalapproach.Anyfeelingthat
preventsthatlevelheadednessposesadanger
ontheroadway.Theeffectsofemotionson
yourbodyandyourabilitytodriveincludethe
following:

Interferewithyourabilitytothink
clearly
Creatementaldistractions,
inattentiveness,andalackof
concentration
114

Maycauseyoutoactoutyouremotions
Increaserisktaking
Interruptyourabilitytoprocess
information
Increasesyourheartrateandquickens
breathing
Increasesphysicalstressandpromotes
afeelingofexhaustion

Inordertocontrolyouremotions,youmust
identifyallsituationsthatcouldcauseyou
emotionalstress.Neverallowcircumstanceson
theroadwaytointensifyyouremotionsinany
direction.Forinstance,ifyouaredrivingand
havehadabadday,donotallowadriverwho
hascutyouofftomakeyouangrier.Ifyoufeel
thatyoucannotgiveyourfullattentiontothe
drivingtask,youshouldrefrainfromoperatinga
motorvehicleuntilyouhavecalmeddown.


1) KeyConceptTerms
Unit8BReview
Fatigue
AggressiveDriving
DrowsyDriving

2) ReviewQuestions

1. Trueorfalse:Onlynegativeemotionslike
sadnessorangerwillnegativelyaffectyour
abilitytodrive.
__________________________________

2. Nametwo(2)causesfortherisein
instancesofaggressivedrivingandroad
rageintheUnitesStates.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

3. Identifytwo(2)behavioraleffectsof
displayingemotions,andtwo(2)physical
effects.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

4. Whyareyoungdriversespeciallyatriskof
becomingfatiguedorsuccumbingto
drowsydriving?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

5. Whatothertypesofdriversareinunique
dangerofbecomingfatiguedwhiledriving?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
QuietRoadRage
VerbalRoadRage
EpicRoadRage
RoadRage
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Listthree(3)actionsyoucantaketo
preventroadragewhenconfrontedwithan
aggressivedriver.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

TrueorFalse:QuietRoadRagedoesnot
poseathreattoothermotorists,unlike
VerbalRoadRageandEpicRoadRage.
___________________________________

Whatdrivingactionscanyouusetoidentify
anaggressivedriver?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Whatistheonlythingthatyoucancontrol
whileontheroadway?WhatcanyouNOT
control?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

TrueorFalse:Ifyoufeelyourselffalling
asleepwhiledriving,youshouldpull
immediatelyofftheroadinsteadoftrying
toreachyourdestination,evenifitonly
fifteenminutesaway.
____________________________________

115
UNIT EIGHT B TEST

Directions: On the answer sheet, write the letter for the correct answer to each question.
1. What are causes of fatigue?
A. Disruption of your circadian rhythm.
B. Extended mental or physical activity
C. Monotonous tasks
D. All the above
2. What are the effects of Fatigue?
A. Increases risk taking
B. Impairs vision
C. Slows reaction time
D. All the above
3. Which drivers are most susceptible to the effects of fatigue?
A. Drivers that are sleep deprived
B. Driving long distances without breaks
C. Young Drivers
D. All the above
4. If you encounter a driver who is showing signs of road rage,
A. Leave the area
B. Lock your doors and stay in the car
C. Drive to a police station
D. All the above
5. What are some factors leading to aggressive driving and road rage?
A. More cars
B. More traffic
C. More Frustration
D. All the above
6. Which of these is an effect of emotions on driving?
A. You are distracted
B. You decrease risk taking
C. You are more alert
D. All the above
7. When are drivers most likely to fall asleep at the wheel?
A. On a busy street
B. On a long, high speed rural highway
C. On high speed city expressways
D. In residential areas
116
8. An aggressive driver may

A. Drive faster than the speed limit
B. Take unnecessary risks while driving
C. Cut off other drivers to gain the right-of-way
D. All the above
9. Driving is a cooperative venture, not a competitive sport.
A. True
B. False
10. When you buy over the counter medications, how can you tell if they might impair your driving?
A. Ask your friends if the medication makes them drowsy.
B. Check the ingredients to see if they contain cocaine.
C. Read the warning labels.
D. Call the drug company to see if the medication will make you drowsy.
117
Notes
118
GLOSSARY
Glossary

AggressiveDriving:Theoperationofa
motorvehicleinthemannerthatendangers
orislikelytoendangerpersonsorproperty
(8B).
AirBag:Anautomotiverestraintconsisting
ofabagthatisdesignedtoinflateupon
collisionandpreventpassengerinjury(2).
AngleParking:Parkingatanon
perpendicularangletothecurb,pavement,
orparkingline(5).
AntiLockBrakes:Avehiclesafetyfeature
whichpreventsthewheelsonamotor
vehiclefromlockingupwhilerotating(7).
BlindAreas:Areastothesideandrearofa
vehiclewhicharenotviewableusingside
viewandrearviewmirrorsalone(2).
BloodAlcoholConcentration:Typically
abbreviatedBAC,theamountofalcohol
presentinanindividualsbloodstream(8A).
BreathTesting:Atestinwhichapolice
officercheckshowmuchalcoholan
individualhasconsumedusinga
breathalyzer(8A).
CentralSpaceArea:Inthespace
managementsystem,thecentralzone
whichisoccupiedbythevehicleitself(4).
CentralVisionArea:Positionedaroundthe
focalvisionarea,theCVAisusedprimarily
tojudgethepositionandspacingofyour
vehiclerelativetoothervehiclesand
obstaclesaroundtheroadway(4).
CloverleafInterchange:Aninterchange,
commonlyusedasaninterchangebetween
twomajorexpressways,whichhasaseries
ofentranceandexitrampsthatresemble
theoutlineofafourleafclover(6).

ClutchPedal:Apedal,presentin
automobileswithamanualtransmission,
whichisusedtoengageordisengagea
rotatingshaftandthedrivingmechanism
(2).
CommercialMotorVehicle:Abbreviated
CMV,anyvehiclesuchaseighteen
wheelers,bigrigs,orbuses,whichhavea
grossweightfarexceedingthatofmost
roadwayusers(6).
CruiseControl:Afeatureinamotorvehicle
formaintainingconstantspeed(2).
Dashboard:Anautomobilepanelunderthe
windshieldthatconsistsofindicatordials,
compartments,andsometimescontrol
instruments(7).
DeadPedal:Animmovablepedaltotheleft
ofthebrakepedalwhichisusedasa
footrestfortheleftfootandtoprevent
driversfromridingtheclutchinacarwith
amanualtransmission(2).
Depressant:Psychoactivedrugswhich
temporarilydiminishthefunctionoractivity
ofaspecificpartofthebodyormind(8A).
DiamondInterchange:Aninterchange
whichistypicallyusedwhenaroadcarrying
alightvolumeoftrafficmeetsan
expressway(6).
DistractedDriving:Theactofoperatinga
motorvehicleatatimewhenyour
attentionhasbecomedivertedfromthe
roadway(4).
DrowsyDriving:Aconditioninwhichthe
driverofamotorvehiclebeginstofall
asleepatthewheel(8B).
Copyright S2010IDriveSmart,Inc.AllrightsReserved
119
Glossary
EliminationRate:Therateatwhichalcohol
canbeeliminatedfromanindividuals
bloodstream(8A).
EnhancedMirrorSettings:Asystemof
mirrorsettingsinwhichtherearview
mirrorisusedastheprimarytoolfor
observationbehindthevehicleandthe
sideviewmirrorsarepushedoutwardto
increasevisibilitytothesidesofthecar(2).
EpicRoadRage:Themostsevereformof
roadrageinwhichanindividualtakesdirect
actiontoendangeranothermotorist(8B).
EquipmentRepairOrder:Anoticeof
infractionorderinganindividualtorepaira
malfunctioningpieceofsafetyequipment
onamotorvehicle(2).
Expressway:Ahighspeed,multilane
roadwayswhicharedesignedtocarrya
highvolumeoftraffic(6).
Fatigue:Astateofphysicaland/ormental
wearinessthatresultsfromaperiodof
extendedactivityandischaracterizedby
reducedefficiencyofbrainfunction(8B).
FocalVisionArea:Theleastexpansive
visionarea,usedtoidentifydistinctobjects
directlyinyourpathoftravel(4).
FrontageRoadInterchange:Atypeof
interchangewhichallowsvehiclestravelling
onparallelroadwaystoenterorexitan
expressway(6).
GearSelector:Atool,locatedonthe
steeringcolumnoronacentralcolumn
betweentheseatsofavehicle,which
allowsthedrivertochangethegearofthe
transmission(2).
Glare:Alightwithinafieldofvisionthatis
brighterthanthebrightnesstowhichthe
eyesareadjusted(7).
GraduatedLicensingSystem:Athreetiered
system,consistingoftheLearnersPermit,
120
ProvisionalLicense,andFullLicense,which
isintendedtograduallygrantadditional
privilegestonovicedriversastheybecome
moreexperiencedbehindthewheel(1).
GuideSign:Atypeofroadsignthatoffers
informationconcerningroutes,directions,
anddestinations(3).
HandoverhandSteering:Amethodof
steeringusefulinmakingsharpandquick
turnsofthewheelinwhichonehandwill
leavethewheelandcrossovertheother
handinordertocontinueaturnofthe
wheel(2).
HandtohandSteering:Amethodof
steeringwhichinvolvesturningthewheel
withaslidinghandmotion.Usingthis
method,yourhandsshouldrarelybecome
disengagedfromthesteeringwheel(3).
HeadRestraint:Asafetyfeaturewhichis
intendedtokeepadriversheadupright
whiledrivingandpreventsitfromjerking
backwardsintheeventofacollision(2).
Headlights:Alamp,attachedthefrontof
thevehicle,withthepurposeofilluminating
theroadwayaheadintimesofdarknessor
inclementweather(7).
HighOccupancyVehicleLane:Aspecially
designatedlanewhichcanonlybeutilizedif
therearetwoormorepassengersinthe
vehicle(6).
HighwayHypnosis:Adulledandinattentive
conditionthatfrequentlyoccurswhena
driverhasdrivenforanextendedperiodof
timeonanexpressway(6).
Hydroplaning:Aphenomenonoftraction
lossbetweenthetiresofavehicleandthe
roadwaywhichoccurswhenalayerof
waterbuildsbetweenthetiresofyourcar
andtheroadway(7).

GLOSSARY
Glossary
IDSParentTeenAgreement:Anagreement
betweenaparentorguardianandastudent
driverinwhicheachpartycommitstotake
anactiveroleintheeducationofthenovice
driver(1).
ImpliedConsent:Automaticpermission,
whenanindividualreceivesadrivers
license,totakeachemicaltestforBlood
AlcohoholConcentrationifdetainedbya
policeofficer(8A).
InsuranceCard:Acard,whichshouldbe
carriedintheappropriatevehicle,onwhich
theinsuranceinformationforthat
particularvehicleislisted.Especiallyuseful
intheeventofacollision(1).
Intersection:Aplaceatwhichtwoormore
roadsmeet(3).
LanePosition:Thealignmentofavehicle
(left,right,orcentral)withinasinglelaneof
traffic(5).
LearnersPermit:Thefirststageofthe
GraduatedLicensingSystem,aLearners
Permitallowsastudentdrivertooperatea
motorvehiclewhileunderthesupervision
ofaqualifiedsupervisinglicenseddriver
overtheageof21(1).
LineofSight:Thepathofvisionbetweena
driverandthedesireddestinationofthat
driver(4).
NoZone:Theexpansiveblindareas
characteristicofCommercialMotor
Vehicles(6).
OverdrivingHeadlights:Adangeroussetof
conditionsinwhichtheareaofland
coveredbyyourheadlightsisexceededby
yourtotalstoppingdistance(7).
Oversteering:Thelossoftractionofthe
reartiresofavehicle,whenthevehicle
movestotheleftorrightwhilethedriver
intendstogostraight.
ParallelParking:Amethodofparking,
typicallyusedalongaroad,inwhichthe
driverparkswiththevehicleparalleltothe
curb(5).
ParkingBrake:Ahandoperatedorfoot
operatedbrakewhichisusedmainlyto
keepavehicleinpositionwhileitisparked
(2).
PathofTravel:Thestretchofroadway
betweenthevehiclescurrentpositionand
itsdesireddestination(4).
PavementMarkings:Acollectionoflines,
arrows,andwordspainteddirectlyontothe
roadwaytoinformdriversofdirectionsor
warnings(3).
PeripheralVisionArea:Theoutermostfield
ofvisionwhichisusedtodetectlateral
changesinspeedandcolortotheextreme
sidesofyourvehicle(4).
PerpendicularParking:Amethodofparking
inwhichthevehiclewillrestperpendicular
tothecurborpavementline(5).
OffTracking:AhazardforCommercial
MotorVehiclesthatoccurswhenthetrailer
ofatruckfollowsatighterpatharounda
turnthanthatofthetractor(6).
PointSystem:Asystemofregulationin
whichdrivinginfractionsconstitutea
certainnumberofpointsonadrivers
record.Ifadriverreachesaspecific
thresholdofpoints,consequencessuchas
suspensionofhis/herlicensecanoccur(1).
OrganDonation:Thechoicethatadriver
has,uponreceivingalicense,todonate
certainorganstoscienceandmedicinein
theeventofhis/herdeath(1).
PracticeandSkillsLog:Areferencefor
trackingtherequiredsixtyhoursofdriving
forastudentdriverunderthesupervision
ofaqualifiedlicensedsupervisor(1).

121
Glossary
PreEntryRoutine:Aconsistentchecklist
whichadrivershouldfolloweachandevery
timehe/sheentersavehicle.Thiscan
includeensuringblindspotsareclearfrom
debris,checkingtirepressure,examining
theareaaroundthecar,etc.(2).
RoadRage:Asocietalconditioninwhich
motoristsbecomeviolentinreactionto
trafficdisturbancesordriverbehavior(8B).
PreliminaryBreathTest:Abreathtest
whichadetainingpoliceofficermayrequest
immediatelyatthesceneofthe
detainment.Itiswithinadriversrightsto
declinetotakethistest(8A).
RumbleStrip:Astripofpavementtothe
sidesofaroadwayalteredinvariousways
inordertomakealoudnoisewhendriven
over,inordertoinformadriverthatheis
driftingoffoftheroadway(6).
ProbationBeforeJudgment:Aformof
discipline,typicallygivenuponafirst
offense,inwhichnopointsareassignedto
aviolationunlessthedrivercommits
anotherviolation(1).
ProvisionalLicense:Thesecondstageof
theGraduatedLicensingSystem,a
ProvisionalLicensegrantstheholderthe
abilitytodrivealonebetweenthehoursof
5AMandmidnight(1).
QuietRoadRage:Aformofroadrage
whichinvolvescomplainingaboutthe
actionsofothermotoristsandafeelingof
competitionwithothermotorists(8B).
RegistrationCard:Acard,whichshouldbe
carriedinthevehicle,toshowthatthe
vehicleisregisteredwiththeMVAandthat
theregistrationisuptodate(1).
RegulatorySign:Atypeofroadsign,
typicallyblackorred,whichinformsadriver
ofwhathe/sheisorisnotallowedtodo(3).
Rightofway:Theagreeduponrightto
proceedfirst,eitherthroughan
intersection,orinto/outofalaneoftraffic
(3).
Risk:Thechanceofinjury,death,damage,
orloss(4).
Roundabout:Acircularintersectionin
whichalltraffictravelscounterclockwise,to
theright,aroundacentralisland(5).
SafetyBelt:Asafetystrapdesignedtohold
apersonsecurelyinaseat(2).
SEEMethod:ShortforSee,Evaluate,
Execute,athreestepprogramthat
increasesadriversawarenessbygranting
him/heraprocesstoworkthroughinstead
ofallowinghim/hertorelysolelyonhabits
andinstincts(4).
SharedTurnLane:Aspeciallymarkedlane
inthecenterofaroadwaywhichmaybe
usedforleftturnsbytrafficmovingin
eitherdirection(5).
SpaceManagementSystem:Asystem
whichallowsdriverstominimizeriskatall
timesbyadjustingvehiclepositionwithina
laneandbycontrollingspeed(4).
StaggeredStop:Acircumstanceinwhich
thestoplineofthefarleftlaneatan
intersectionisstaggeredbehindtheother
lanes,inordertoprovidemorespacefor
largervehiclestomakealeftturn(5).
StoppingDistance:Thetotaldistancethata
vehicletravelswhileattemptingtostop(6).
SynergisticEffect:Thephenomenonin
whichthecombinationofrecreationalor
medicinaldrugsandalcoholtendsto
amplifytheeffectsofeach(8A).
TemperedGlass:Glasswhichisspecially
madetoensurethatawindshieldistougher
122

GLOSSARY
Glossary
anddoesnotshatterintomanypiecesin
theeventofacollision(2).
ThreePointTurn:Amethodofturning
aroundinaconfinedspaceinwhichadriver
beginsbydrivingforwardandtotheleftas
faraspossible(point1),thenreversingback
andtotherightasfaraspossible(point2),
andfinallyagainforwardandtotheleft
(point3)(5).
TireBlowout:Therapiddeflationofair
fromatire(7).
TrafficSignal:Anyoneofanumberofvisual
signalsusedtocontroltheflowoftrafficsin
lanesoratintersections(3).
TrumpetInterchange:Atypeof
interchangewhichoccurswhenan
intersectingsideroadformsaT
intersectionwiththeexpressway(6).
UTurn:Amethodofturningaroundin
whichadriverpositionshisvehicleatthe
farrightsideofaroadwayandinitiatesa
hard,180degreeturntotheleft(5).
Understeering:Thelossoftractionatthe
fronttiresofavehicle,duringwhichadriver
mayattempttoturnwhilethevehicle
remainsgoingstraight(7).
UniformTireQualityGradingSystem:A
standardizedsystemofgradingtireswhich

wasdesignedtoprovidetheconsumerwith
informationaboutthequalityoftirethey
purchase(7).
Velocitization:Aconditioninwhich
frequentlyandconsistentlydrivingathigh
speedsaffectsyouroverallsenseofspeed
(6).
VerbalRoadRage:Aformofroadrage
whichinvolvesyelling,cursing,andhonking
atothermotoriststoshowdispleasure(8B).
WindshieldWipers:Asafetyfeaturewhich
isintendedtokeepthewindshieldclearin
theeventofinclementweather(2).
WarningSign:Atypeofroadsign,typically
yellowandblack,whichismeanttoinform
thedriverofanydangerthatmaylieahead
(3).
WorkZone:Asegmentofroadalongwhich
constructionisbeingperformed(3).
Yield:Togiveanotherroadwayuserthe
rightofway(3).
ZeroToleranceLaw:Alawwhichprohibits
anylicenseholderundertheageof21from
drivingorattemptingtodriveamotor
vehiclewithaBloodAlcohohol
Concentrationof0.02%orhigher(8A).


123
I Drive Smart Student Answer Sheet B

You cannot schedule your driving test with the MVA until you
receive an e-mail from I Drive Smart confirming your certification.
STUDENT NAME
Last
First
Middle Initial
Final Exam B
Unit 1
Q1
Q2B
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q20
Score
Date
Instr
#
Instr
Initial
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
Unit 7
Unit
8A
Unit
8B
Unit 9
(1-20)
Unit 9
(21-40)
Unit 9
(41-50)
d
(E-vvvvvvv)
d
Fo r m
vvAngie'vvv
vvvv
vvv.v
vvvvvvv
vv'vvv
vv.vvv
vAngiesList.com/Review
vv1-888-888-LIST (5478)
vvvvvvv!
dld
vvvv
vAngie'vvvvv
vvv500vvv
vAv-vFvv.vAvv
v,vAngie'vvvv
v.v
Name:v
Phone:v(vvvvvv )v
Address:v
City:vvvv
E-mail:v(required)
vvvvvvvvvv:vvvvv:v
Cv:v vDv,v.
855 )vIDS-Cv(437-2677)
Phone:v(vvvvvv
Address:v 30vCv,vv-2
Rockville
MD
City:vvvv
vvvvvvvvvv:vvvvv:v
20850
d
Dvv/vv?vv
(vvvvv,vvvv,v.)v
Avvvvv?v$v
Avv:v
vv(v)vvv:
vvvv?vvvvvvvv:
(example:vBvvvvvvvv,vvvvv)
d
vvvAngiesList.com
vvv,vv
vvvv
vvv.
vvvv
vvvv
health-vvv
vvvvv.
vExperience:
Price:
Quality:
Responsiveness:
Punctuality:
Professionalism:
dddd
dd E
Av Bv Cv Dv Fv/A
vvvv
vvvvv
vvvvv
vvvvv
vvvvv
vvvvv
vvvv/vvvv?vv
vDvF.,vChicago,v
Signature:v
Date:v
I(confirm(that(the(information(contained(in(this(Service(Evaluation(Form((i)(is(true(and(accurate(and((ii)(represents(my(actual(firsthand(experience,(or(experience(which(I(am(authorized(to(discuss.(I(acknowledge(and(understand(my(responsibilities(under(the(
AvvvAgreement,vvvAvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
members.(I(confirm(that(I(do(not(work(for,(am(not(in(competition(with,(and(am(not(in(any(way(related(to(the(service(provider(in(
this(report.(I(acknowledge(that(my(name,(address(and(this(report(information(will(be(available(to(the(service(provider(being(rated.
Carefully tear off page, fold over, and tape seams to mail in self-contained postage-paid envelope.
dlddE
dddd d 0 ddd E
vvvAngie'v,vvvvI Drive Smartvv!
(Step 1-fold
(Step
on perforated
1-fold on perforated
line below)line below)
(Step 2-fold
(Step
on perforated
2-fold on perforated
line above)line above)
To Mail:
To Fold
Mail:
following
Fold following
steps 1+2
steps
and1+2
tapeand
open
tape
ends.
open ends.
30 court house square Suite G-2

Rockville, MD 20850 855.IDS.COPS
www.idrivesmart.com
/
Maryland & DC
Edition

I Drive Smart Textbook

Transféré par

Informations du document

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

I Drive Smart Textbook

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Student

version June 2012

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

UNIT 7: VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, MALFUNCTIONS, COLLISION REPORTING,

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

Unit 1: Getting Acquainted With IDS

Welcome to I Drive Smart!

Classroom Student Record & Completion Form

Copyright 2010 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

Scheduling Your Behind-The-Wheel Sessions

Add your Learners Permit Number in

Click on Update Account.

Click on My Account to return to your

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

I drive smart student manual

I drive smart student manual

I drive smart student manual

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control

underneath the brake pedal while still slightly

Copyright 2010 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

secured a rear-facing seats that are held in

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control

3) Safety Equipment Repair Order

Copyright 2010 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Unit 2: Introducing Operator Vehicle Control Tasks In A Controlled Environment

I drive smart student manual

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

UNIT 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement Markings and The Right-of-Way

Unit 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement

Copyright 2010 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

I drive smart student manual

Unit 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement

Copyright 2010 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

Copyright J 2012 I Drive Smart, Inc. All rights Reserved

UNIT 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement Markings and The Right-of-Way

Unit 3: Signs, Signals, Pavement