Module 3: Topic 1 Laws of Nature 1. Gravity: a. _________ is the natural force that constantly pulls all things to the earth and affects an object’s weight. b. ___________________ is a point where the mass of the vehicle is concentrated and balanced. c. The higher the center of gravity, the more ___________the vehicle becomes. d. When a driver _______________________________________________, the G forces are amplified. 2. Kinetic Energy: a. Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its _________, or __________ (v) and its __________ (m) : KE = 0.5 ∙ m ∙ v2 b. The _________ the object moves, the ______________ it collects. c. A _________moving object will have ________ kinetic energy than a lighter object moving at the same speed. d. A vehicle’s kinetic energy can be overcome by brakes, friction, air resistance and gravity. 3. Momentum: a. Momentum refers to the quantity of motion an object has, measured in kg ∙ m/s b. Formula: p = m ∙ v. The _______ mass and more velocity an object has, the _______ momentum c. Change in momentum is called impulse; the magnitude of impulse is based on the amount of opposing force and the time span over which that force is applied. 4. Inertia: an object’s tendency to _____________ any change in its state of motion. A Vehicle’s Possible States of Motion • Slowing down or Stopping • Accelerating or Cruising • Turning towards the Left • Turning towards the Right 5. When driving through a curve, inertia creates the sensation that you are being pulled toward the outside of the curve. Why does this happen? 1 Type of Movement Definition Real Life Example PITCH Vehicle weight shifts __________ and ________ ROLL Vehicle weight shifts ______ to_______ YAW Vehicle’s rear tires lose traction and weight shifts to one side (rear tires slide) _______________ 2 Module 3: Topic 2 Vision and Driving 1. How do you think your vision impacts your driving? 2. Visual Perception: a. The eyeball’s ability to distinguish the number, shape, and color of an object. b. Perception 3. Some key points on drivers and decision-making: a. Drivers make decisions based on about ______ on what they see b. Drivers make decisions based on _______ of all on what they hear or feel c. Drivers should search at least _____ seconds ahead in their path of travel to evaluate the situation and make good decisions about speed, lane position, signs, signals, markings, and potential hazards. 1 d. You need to know where to look. This takes practice! 2 4. Field of Vision: ***Three Parts 1. _____ Vision – Allows you to read/see details 2. ________ Vision - Allows you to maintain path of travel 3. __________ Vision – Allows you to see motion and color 3 2 3 5. Visual Acuity: a. Visual acuity tests measure the level of detail your eyes can see, (individually, and together), in optimal light conditions b. Nearsighted: Able to see _______ things more clearly than distant ones c. Farsighted: Able to see _______ things more clearly than near ones 6. Hazards of Driving at Night: 3 Lack of _________ drastically reduces field of vision, visual acuity, depth perception and color recognition Nocturnal and crepuscular ____________ become active Inner and outer sources of concentrated light cause _____ People driving at night are more likely to be _________________ People driving at night are more likely to be _______ 1. What are some strategies for driving at night? Darkness • Drive ____________ to allow more time to react • Use Focal and Paracentral Vision Glare • Oncoming headlights: Avert your gaze to line painted on _____ side of road • Internal light: keep it dark in the vehicle when it’s dark outside • Sunbeams: keep windows, headlights, and signal lights ________ inside and out Animals • Use your _____-beams on rural roads • Pay attention to animal crossing signs _________________ • Watch for erratic driving behaviors from other vehicles on the road • Stay away from drivers exhibiting signs of distraction, intoxication, or fatigue 8. What are some other factors that affect vision? 4 2. Speed Affects Vision: a. Hazards that increase with __________________ b. Drivers have ________ time to see and react c. Minor steering movements cause exaggerated vehicle movements and weight shift d. Speed distorts and reduces Peripheral vision up to _________ 3. How do you compensate for higher speeds? a. Train your eyes to look farther ahead—you’re covering ground faster b. Allow more _______ between your vehicle and others c. Actively move your eyes from one side of the path of travel to the other to search for relevant information and hazards 4. Depth Perception: a. Need both eyes to perceive depth (3-D distance) b. Allows you to judge _______, speed, and distance of other vehicles and hazards in the traffic environment c. Essential when ________, approaching a vehicle or hazard; turning, merging, and crossing intersections d. To judge the distance between vehicles, look at where the tires contact the road, not the body of the vehicle Are these lines Parallel? 5. How can you improve your visual field? a. ________windows—inside and out b. Clean vehicle’s outside lights and be sure they work c. ______ wiper blades for damage and effectiveness d. Adjust mirrors properly e. Keep sunglasses and windshield scraper in vehicle f. Remove objects that interfere with vision 5 Module 3: Topic 3 Vehicle Reference Points and Establishing a Lane Position 1. Line-of-sight is the visible path of travel from your vehicle to the target area. a. When something obstructs your LOS, you may need to ________ your speed and/or position until it is clear again 1. Path-of-Travel is the series of continuous ____________your vehicle will occupy while traveling toward your target area 3. Target a. b. c. d. Specific object located straight ahead in the center of your path of travel Near visual field limit Steer toward Changes to whatever appears in the center of your path of travel ** Do ________stare at or fixate your gaze on the target itself… 4. Target Area a. Rather than focusing directly on the Target, continuously scan to the ____________ of it (the Target Area) for relevant information and potential hazards 5. Lane Positions: Lane positions are based upon an average lane size of 12-feet wide, and a vehicle 6-feet wide Select the lane position that gives you the best line of sight and safest path of travel This Diagram shows the three basic lane positions drives can use 6 Lane Position 1 Positioned in the ________ of lane with an equal buffer of space on either side Lane Position 2 Allows for additional space to the right of the vehicle. Used to prepare for a ________ turn or when avoiding a problem to the right of the vehicle. Lane Position 3 Allows for additional space to the left of the vehicle. Used to prepare for a ________ turn or when avoiding a problem to the left of the vehicle. 7 6. Footprint of the vehicle: a. We need reference points because of the footprint of our vehicle. a. This is the ground around the car that we _________see! b. The bigger the vehicle; the bigger the footprint. In the figure above, the darker cars represent the size and areas of pavement that the driver of the white car ___________ see. 7. Reference Points: a. A point on your vehicle that helps the driver determine where he/she is positioned on the road. Lane Position ___ 8 Lane Position ____ Lane Position ___ 9 Front Limitation – Use the ___________ mirror Rear Limitation – Use the _____________ window 10 Directions: Draw the standard reference points onto the vehicles below as requested. 1. Front Reference Point 2. Rear Reference Point 11 Directions: Draw the standard reference points onto the vehicles below as requested. 2. Right Side Reference Point 3-6 inches from the right 3. Right Side Reference Point 3 feet from the right 4. Left Side Reference Point 3-6 inches from the left 12 Module 3: Topic 4 Basic Maneuvering—Steering and Braking 1. Why do we use 8 and 4 for our hand position? 1. Puts the body in a ________ position with relaxed shoulders 2. Promotes ________control of the steering wheel, reducing excess motion 3. Improves ________ by lowering the body’s center of gravity 4. Prevents ____ injury if the airbag deploys 2. Types of Steering Type of Steering Hand to Hand or Push/Pull Slide: Diagram When it’s used To TURN RIGHT Left hand pushes up from ___ o’ clock to ____ o’ clock Right hand pulls down from ___ o’ clock to ____o’ clock Hand Over Hand Left Turn/left hand: Left hand pulls down, then reaches up to about the o’clock position and continues to pull 11-12 down to the left Left Turn/right hand: Right Hand pushes up to about the 11 o’clock position 13 One Hand Steering when backing straight back. Backing straight back: ______ arm is behind the front passenger seat so you can turn and see the entire view One Hand Steering when Backing a Trailer Backing with a trailer: Hold the _______ of the wheel 2. Acceleration: COVER the Accelerator a. Used for a _______transition from braking to accelerating b. Allows the vehicle to coast which may speed up or slow down the vehicle c. Permits the driver to be __________ for any needed acceleration 3. Acceleration Techniques: • Heel pivots foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator Progressive, • Gently apply pressure to the Smooth accelerator pedal to _____________ Acceleration increase speed to minimize backward pitch and maintain vehicle balance • Typically used when ____________________ or merging into higher speed traffic • Greater pressure is applied to Thrust Acceleration accelerator pedal to rapidly increase speed _____________ losing tire traction 14 4. Braking Techniques: 4 Types Smooth Braking Technique • Is a trait of a skilled driver • Saves ___________, and wear and tear on the brake system and tires • Use ball of your foot to press pedal Braking Technique a. b. a. b. c. a. b. c. d. Key Points Most frequently used method to slow vehicle speed Gradually reduce pedal pressure to avoid abrupt changes in speed Check the rearview mirror for vehicles coming up quickly behind you Release accelerator and gradually apply smooth, steady pressure on the brake pedal For a smooth stop, gently ease off the brake a few seconds before stopping to reduce the vehicle’s weight shift so the car does not pitch forward then backward during the final phase of stopping Slows the vehicle as quickly as possible without locking brakes or losing traction Release accelerator while checking for traffic behind you Exert forceful pressure on the brake pedal; you will feel the vehicle’s weight shift forward If you feel the wheels beginning to slide, ease off of the brake pedal so the tires can start rotating again a. Used for sharp turns b. Occurs at the transition point where you slightly reduce pressure on the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to begin to regain speed before applying the accelerator 15 5. Methods to Reduce Speed: a. Use __________ braking prior to reaching the curve b. Begin easing off brake, and trail brake with very light pressure until halfway through the turn, c. __________ out of the turn 6. SPEED LIMIT: a. A speed limit is the ________ legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions. b. You may drive slower than the posted speed, but it is illegal to drive any faster. c. By law, you must drive slower if conditions such as road construction or bad weather make the posted speed unsafe. d. It is illegal to use a radar detector in Virginia. Type of Highway Zone Interstate highways in certain rural areas Non-rural interstate highways, public roads not part of the interstate sys Rural rustic roads School, business and residential zones (You are required to travel 25 mph in a school zone only when indicated by sign or signal. Otherwise maintain the posted speed.) Speed Limit _____mph _____ mph _____ mph _____ mph 7. Stopping Distance: Three factors determine the distance that it takes to stop your vehicle: a. ___________ time: The time it takes you to recognize a hazard. b. __________ distance: The distance your vehicle travels between the time you recognize a problem and the time you apply the brakes. c. __________ distance: The distance your car travels after you apply the brakes. 8. Describe at least 10 situations that you must always stop your vehicle. 16 9. Antilock Braking System (ABS): a. ABS allows maximum stopping force without locking up the brakes (skidding) b. If standard brakes are applied too hard, the wheels "lock" or skid, and you lose steering control. If steering control is lost, the vehicle skids in a _________line wherever it is going ABS is an anti-lock/anti-skid brake system that allows the driver to __________ during hard braking Some things to know about the ABS system: a. The ABS warning will come on when there is a problem with either the ABS brake system, normal brake system, or the brake fluid is low in the master cylinder or the ABS brake system b. To find out if a vehicle is equipped with ABS, turn on the ignition and check the instrument panel for the __________________________ c. The brake pedal will _________ when engaged TO PRACTICE USING ABS: In a parking lot, go 20-25 mph and execute an emergency stop to engage ABS Keep your foot firmly on the brake even when you feel the brake pulsate and/or hear noise This computerized pumping action can pump the brakes up to 15 times per second 17 18