Driver’s Ed
Section 5
Day 3
Other Driver Responsibilities
and Vehicle Considerations
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Students will understand three types of
traction
Students will understand driving on
dangerous road surface conditions
Students will understand traction loss
considerations
Students will understand driving off-road
and recovery
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Write a half a page red to red on the
below statement.
Describe 2 different types of occupant
protection used to keep drivers safe
today. Give details on how they work.
(Examples: safety belts, child restraints,
and driver/passenger side air bags)
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Traction is the
grip between the
tires and the road
surface
Traction allows a
vehicle to start,
stop, and/or
change direction.
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Traction can be lost
to the front tires or
the rear tires.
If the front and rear
tires are actually
leading the vehicle
(sideways traction
loss).
Traction
3 Types
of Traction
Static
Rolling
Sliding
(dynamic),
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A stationary vehicle parked on a flat surface
with its brakes set is an example of static
traction.
It has the greatest resistance to movement.
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More traction
between a rolling
wheel and the road
than there is
between a sliding
wheel and the road.
Keep the wheels
rolling and not lock
the brakes when
trying to steer or
stop a vehicle that is
sliding.
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There is greater traction between a
stationary wheel and the road than there
is between a sliding wheel and the road.
Sliding traction does not grip the road.
Ice
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Rain
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Ice, snow, or frost
Wet--particularly the first 15 minutes
of rain after a long dry period when oil
and rubber particles have collected on
the road surface and mix with water
Heavy rain or standing water
Mud near farm entrances, construction
sites, and truck crossings
Snow
Mud
•
Wet leaves
•
Broken or uneven road surface
•
Sand or gravel frequently found on curves
in rural areas
On improperly banked or flat
curves, traction is more likely
to be lost when roads are wet
or slippery at slow speeds, or
when dry at higher speeds
NEGATIVE BANK
Causes of Traction Loss
Condition of the Vehicle
Brakes unevenly adjusted
- Brakes pulling in one direction
Tires with unevenly worn tread
Different tire pressure on opposite sides of
the vehicle.
Causes of Traction Loss
Driver Actions that may cause loss of traction
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Sudden steering actions
Sudden changes in vehicle speed
Panic stop or applying the brakes too hard
Suddenly engaging the clutch
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Loss of traction also occurs with
these driver’s actions at normal
speeds on ice/snow or on roadways
covered by sand, gravel, or water
Traction Loss Considerations
•
Sudden shifts of vehicle weight causes
traction loss
-
steering, braking and/or acceleration
DROPS
LIFTS
Traction Loss Considerations
When Brakes are Applied Too Hard or Quickly
Weight Moves to the Front of the Car Causing
◦ a noticeable drop of the hood
◦ a noticeable rise of the rear deck
◦ forward movement of driver and passengers
Rear LIFTS
Front DROPS
Force or Weight
Movement
Direction of Travel
Traction Loss Consideration
When Acceleration is Applied Too Hard or Quickly
Weight Moves to the Rear of the Car Causing
◦ a noticeable rise of the hood
◦ a noticeable drop of the rear deck
◦ rearward movement of driver and passengers
Rear DROPS
Front LIFTS
Force or Weight
Movement
Direction of Travel
Traction Loss Consideration
When Steering is Applied Too Hard or Quickly
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Weight Moves to the Opposite Side of the Car
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Weight Movement Causes:
◦ a noticeable drop and tilt of the hood
◦ a noticeable rise and tilt of the rear deck
◦ driver and passenger movement towards the car’s
corner
Front DROPS
Force or Weight
Movement
Rear LIFTS
Direction of Travel
Traction
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Traction between the tires and the road does
not remain constant.
For example, sand, gravel, or water on the
road decreases the level of traction.
As speed increases, traction between the tires
and the road decreases. With decreased
traction, the possibility of skidding or sliding
increases.
DO NOT WRITE THIS SLIDE
Recognize Traction Loss
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The driver must
recognize which
part of the vehicle is
losing traction in
order to activate the
technology needed
to correct the
problem.
If A Vehicle Keeps Moving Straight Ahead in
Spite of Steering Efforts To the Contrary
The Technical Term is
Called “Understeer”
front tires
SLIDE
rear tires
PUSH
Intended Path
of Travel
Actual Path
of Travel
Intended Path of Travel
Actual Path
of Travel
Activate ABS
 Steer Toward Targeted Path of Travel
 Adjust Steering Input as Needed to Maintain
Targeted Path of Travel
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Identified by driver when front of vehicle moves to the left
or right of travel path without steering input in that
direction
Technical term is “Oversteer”
front tires
ROLL
rear tires
SLIDE
Intended Path of Travel
Actual Path
of Travel
Intended Path of Travel
Actual Path
of Travel
• Steer Toward Targeted Path of Travel
• Adjust Steering Input as Needed to Maintain Targeted Path of
Travel
• Apply Light Acceleration (2 mph is goal) to Move the Weight to
the Rear. (The Traction Control System will adjust the speed
and brakes automatically when activated)
Off-Road Recovery
•
Do not panic and steer too abruptly
•
Ease off accelerator
•
DO NOT BRAKE
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Get both wheels off the pavement
•
Steer the vehicle parallel to the roadway
•
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If clear, ease back on to the roadway one
wheel at a time
Limit steering inputs to less than 1/8 of
a turn of the wheel
Use even less input when the edge of
road is high
When operating your vehicle
 Accelerate smoothly.
 Drive at moderate speeds.
 Avoid unnecessary braking and try to
anticipate the traffic ahead.
 Avoid excessive idling.
 Join a car pool for commuting to and
from school or work.
 Keep your vehicle in good working order.
 Recycle old oil and fluids.
 Recycle old vehicle parts.
Disposal of Vehicle Parts and Fluids
Hazardous substances need to be disposed
of in the proper manner -- not just dumped
onto the ground or poured down the drain.
take items to the nearest
hazard waste collection
center or other appropriate
collection location such as
an automotive repair shop;
or
contact your local health
department to find an
appropriate drop-off
location.
Tips for handling toxic
substances
call your local recycling center, service station, sanitation center, or
local health department to review proper recycling procedures
 read all labels carefully to ensure you are using the correct
container
 monitor and fix automotive fluid leaks
 to prevent spills, use a funnel for pouring automotive fluids
 whenever possible, avoid leaving leftover liquids in the container
 catch any drained fluid and store in a container, or a well-sealed
and labeled plastic jug
 never discard used automotive fluid in sinks, storm drains, the
garbage, or on the ground
 store automotive fluids separately — NEVER mix them together
Trains
Trucks
Cars
Motorcycles
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV)
Recreational Vehicles (RV)
• Bicycles, Mopeds, Scooters
• Construction Vehicles
• Oversize Vehicles
• Farm Machinery
• Horse-drawn Vehicles
Bicyclist Responsibilities
Cyclist Responsibilities
Ride on the right side of the lane
Signal slowing, stopping or
turning
Obey all traffic laws
Yield to pedestrians
Wear Helmet
Use light at night
Sharing Roadway with Bicyclists
 All Right-of-Way Rules Apply
 Merge with Bicycle Traffic Flow Turning Right
 Beware of Oncoming Cyclist Turning at
Intersections
 Use Extra Precaution When Interacting with
Young Cyclists
Bicycle Safety Issues
Know or Use:
 Traffic Laws
 Safety Equipment
 Wet Weather Riding Dangers
 Common Motorist Errors
 Basic Bicycle Maintenance
 How to Maneuver on Uneven
Surfaces
 Evasive Riding Techniques
Sharing Roadway with Trucks
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No Zone
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Passing
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Following
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Wide Turns
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Backing
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Maneuverability
Sharing Roadway with Motorcyclists
Motorcycle-related conflicts are most likely to occur
in the following situations:
 Left Turns
 Vehicle Blind Spot
 Motorcyclists Riding in Groups
 Hazardous Road Conditions
 Adverse Weather Conditions
 Strong Winds
 Around Large Vehicles
Sharing Roadway with Motorcyclists
Unlike four-wheel vehicles, motorcycles are
small two-wheeled vehicles that accelerate
quickly and are often not seen by drivers of
larger vehicles.
Motorcycle Awareness
When driving near a motorcyclist:
• increase your following distance, and
• be aware of all the zones around the vehicle.
When being followed by a
motorcycle:
• check the rear-view mirror often, and
• avoid making sudden stops.
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Identify a congested traffic situation in your
community or a nearby community that often
creates a bottleneck. (intersections, bridges,
tunnels, roadway during commuter traffic).
Once situation has been identified, discuss
options for improving the situation.
Each group should end the discussion by
developing an action plan, write it down.
Each group will report their findings to the
class for class discussion.