CHAPTER 5 -NATURAL LAWS AND CAR CONTROL



CHAPTER 5 -NATURAL LAWS AND CAR CONTROL

I. Natural Laws

A) Gravity - force that pulls all things to earth

uphill driving - car slows down; shorter braking distance

downhill driving -car speeds up; longer braking distance

B) Kinetic Energy or Energy of Motion - energy an object has as

it moves.

Center of gravity-pt where objects weight is evenly distributed

Faster it goes the more energy it has.

energy of motion doubles when weight doubles. Need 2x' s

distance to stop energy of motion will change in proportion to

the square of its change in speed.

Speed doubles- 4x's distance to stop

II. Friction - force that keeps each tire from sliding/slipping on the

road

A) Traction - friction created by a tire on the road allows car to

grip road Allows you speed up, slow down, turn.

Weather conditions, oil, leaves, loose sand or gravel will reduce

traction

Split traction - used to slow and make turns

1. Tires make a difference in way your car handles

Tread – grooved surface of a tire that grips the road. More

tread touching the road means better traction

Allows water to flow away from tire

2. Inflation - range of tire pressure (check owners manual)

*Correct amount increases traction and fuel economy –

overinflated - too much air, only center of tire on road –

underinflated - too little air, only the outer edge of tire on road

B) Factors that reduce traction

*car condition - tires, shocks, steering system

*road surfaces - straight, dry, flat, wet, icy, sand, gravel

***extra careful on bridges - more slippery in bad weather

Ch 5 p2

C) Curves - have 2 forces working on car

1. energy of motion(Kinetic energy) - increases as speed

increases; keeps car going in a straight line

2. traction - gripping power

Car control in Curves

1. speed - reduce speed before entering curve

2. sharpness of curve - sharper the curve, more traction is

needed; slower

3. banked curve - higher on outside; reduces car's tendency

to move outside

4. car load - affects how it handles

D) Vehicle Capabilities

*smaller the vehicle - better the capabilities(accelerating,

braking,tuming)

III. Stopping Distance

3 things to remember .

*perceive hazard

*react

*brake

A) Total Stopping Distance - distance car travels from pt you

see hazard to time car stops

1. perception time -length of time to identify, predict, decide

to slow will vary with visibility, hazard, and abilities of driver

perception distance - distance car travels during this time

2. reaction time - length of time takes to execute your (% sec)

reaction distance - how far car travels during this time

3. braking distance - distance car travels from time applying

brakes until car stops; increases as speed increases

B) Factors affecting braking distance(braking ability - different for

every vehicle)

1. speed - higher speed; longer braking distance

2. vehicle condition - good, poor

3. road surfaces - dry, wet; gravel, dirt, potholes

4. driver reaction - cool and calm

5. hills - uphill needs shorter; downhill needs longer

6. load - how heavy and how it is distributed

Ch 5 p3

IV. Force of Impact - force with which a moving object hits another

A) 3 factors

1. speed - faster speed; harder the impact

2. weight - heavier vehicle; harder the impact

3. distance between impact and stop - varies greatly solid tree

- stop quickly; more damage soft hedge - stop gradually;

less damage

**safety energy absorbing features

*front/rear crush areas

*energy absorbing bumpers

*side door beams

*reinforced windshields

*padded dash

*head restraints

*energy absorbing steering wheel and column

B) Safety Belts

1. Restraint devices - hold occupant in place during a crash

a. passive restraints - works automatically(air bags, auto

seat belt)

b. active restraints - occupant must do

c. child seats - special seats for infants and young kids;

required by law in all states for children up to a certain

age

d. airbags – balloon type device inflates to protect you;

comes out at nearly 200 miles/hour

C) 3 types of collisions when car hits an object

1. car hits object and stops

2. occupant hitting restraint device or the inside of the car

3. occupants internal organs hitting inside of body

CHAPTER 6 BASIC CAR CONTROL

I. Steering (critical to safe and successful driving)

A) Straight Ahead

1. balanced hands (10 and 2)

2. aim high with visual search

3. look ahead toward center of your path

a. oversteer - turning too much

b. understeer- not turning enough

B) Straight Back

1. hold brake - reverse

2. rt arm over passenger seat; look thru back window

3. left hand 12 o'clock

4. allow car to creep back, moving wheel in direction you want to go

5. foot over brake; glance side to side to check traffic and stop

C) Signaling

1. used to turn, change lanes, enter traffic, slow suddenly, stop

2. signal well in advance to give others time to react (100 ft)

3. hand signals:

left - arm straight out

right - arm bent up at 90 degree angle

slow - arm bent down at 90 degree angle

D) Changing Lanes – turning, passing

1. check traffic ahead, in both lanes, and mirrors

2. signal, check blind spots

3. steer gently into next lane if clear

4. cancel signal

**common error - oversteering which could cause you to lose control

II. Turns and Turnabouts

A) Hand over Hand - pulling steering wheel down with one hand while other

crosses over to pull wheel further

-let wheel unwind thru palms; be prepared to use hand over hand

Ch 6 p2

B) Left Turns/Right Turns

1. correct lane for appropriate turn

2. is it legal

3. slow and look into turn - obstacles, cars, pedestrians

4. check opposite direction

5. check ahead

6. check in direction of turn and proceed if clear

**downshift to slow car before turning so you have both hands on the wheel

while turning

C) Backing to Left/Right

1. check traffic, pedestrians, blind spots

2. Look to rear and direction you are backing

3. Pull wheel in direction of turn

4. Back slowly and straighten wheel; go if clear

D) Turning Around - **dangerous - cross or back into one or more lanes of traffic

1) 6 types of turnabouts

a. backing into a drive/pull into driveway(right and left side)

1. check traffic behind you/ahead of you

2. signal

3. direction of turn

4. signal and go

b. U-turn

1. check traffic ahead and behind

2. is it legal

3. signal

4. turn sharply

5. straighten and go

c. 3 Pt turnabout (dangerous)

1. check traffic ahead, rear and blind spot

2. signal, move to curb, check traffic again

3. turn sharply to left, stop with wheels straight

4. check traffic again

5. back only as far as needed

6. check traffic and go

d. go around the block

Ch 6 p3

2) When to use turnabouts

a. legal

b. very little traffic

c. space and time (500 ft of clear visibility)

d. # of lanes to cross

3) Where not to use turnabouts

a. hills or curves

b. 200 ft of intersection

c. heavy traffic

d. bridges

e. underpasses

III. Parking

A) Angle (Diagonal) - signal, check traffic to rear

- rt blind spot

- see right line of parking area turn wheels

- straighten as enter area

B) Perpendicular (right angle to curb)

C) Parallel

- pull along side car, even with it

- signal, reverse, check traffic all around

- look over should thru back window

- turn sharply to right

- back seat even with rear bumper, straighten wheels

- front bumper even with rear bumper turn sharply to left

- in space, pull forward to straighten out

D) Uphill w/ curb

- parallel park

- turn wheels left sharply

- put in N and ease to curb

- put in P and set emergency brake

Ch 6 p4

E) Downhill with Curb –

- parallel park

- turn wheels sharply to right

- put in N and ease to curb

- put in P and set emergency brake

F) Downhill without Curb - same as E

G) Uphill without Curb - same as E

Reference Pt – some part of outside or inside of vehicle from drivers seat that relates to some part of the road

Standard Reference Pt – the pt on vehicle that is typical for most drivers(side mirrors, hood ornament)

Personal Reference Pt – adapting standard reference pt as your own

CHAPTER 7 NEGOTIATING INTERSECTIONS

*Chances of a collision are greater at intersection that anywhere else

*Because

*driver’s paths cross

*many unexpected stops occur

*1/3 of all collisions occur here

*1/4 of all fatal collisions occur here

WHY?

*driver’s failure to identify a safe path of travel thru intersection

*Clues to identify an intersection

*street signs and lights

*roadway markings

*crossing traffic

*parked cars on cross streets

*turning traffic

*rows of fences or mailboxes

*traffic stopping

*power lines

*Many different designs to intersections

* + or X or T

* Y when one road divides into two or join to form one

* traffic circle - several roads meet at a circle

What to do?

*look for an open zone or a safe path of travel

*closed zone – red/yellow light, yield sign, something moving into your

intended path of travel – reduce speed or stop

*constantly searching all zones to make sure they are open

*pt –of-no-return: pt beyond which you can no longer stop safely

*after stopping – check area in 90 degree angles left/right before you move

I. Uncontrolled Intersections

1. no signs or signals to regulate traffic

2. chances of collisions are greater

3. slow down and be prepared to stop

4. look left first - cross path of others from this direction first

5. look right

6. if vehicle is coming - stop or slow down

7. yield to pedestrians

Ch 7 p2

II. Controlled Intersections (stop signs and yield signs)

1. has signals and signs assigning the right of way

2. obey all stop signs, yield, and traffic signs

3. identify signals immediately and realize color may change as you come

closer to intersection

4. stale green light - green for a long time

5. fresh green light - just turned

6. yellow light - decide to stop or proceed

7. point of no return - no longer safe to stop without entering the intersection

proceed

A) Unprotected left turns

1. intersections w/out a special turn light - yield

2. procedures

a. green light - move to middle of intersection

b. wheels straight (if rear ended won't be pushed into on coming traffic)

c. stay close to center line

d. clear and safe - turn

3. Multilane road (4 or more lanes)

a. watch traffic light

b. identify and predict - check for opening in oncoming traffic

c. scan area for vehicles

d. scan for pedestrians

B) Protected left turns - yield the right of way

1. with light - arrow allows to turn while oncoming traffic is stopped

2. left turn light - protected

3. green arrow - protected

4. delayed green light - one side can go; other side has red light

C) Right turn conflicts

1. pedestrains

2. conflicts from the rear; following to closely

3. w/oncoming traffic turning left - watch for wide turns

D) Turns on Red

1. Right:

a. full stop

b. is it legal

c. signal

d. check for traffic

e. yield right of way

f. proceed if clear

Ch 7 p3

2. Left: only if it is onto a one-way street from a one-way street; same

procedures

E) Judging the Gap - distance between vehicles

1. 4-5 seconds to cross a 2 lane street

2. 6 seconds to turn right and accelerate to 30 mph

3. 7 - 8 seconds to turn left and accelerate to 30 mph

Why do you need time to join traffic?

-Need enough distance to reach speed of traffic w/out interfering with the

flow of traffic.

-the faster traffic is moving; the larger the gap must be.

-20mph, gap of 1/2 block -55mph, 3 blocks

-left turn is more dangerous than right turn because cross paths of traffic

from left

Controlled RR Crossings - lights and/or gates

Uncontrolled RR Crossings - no lights or gates but are marked with round yellow

RR crossing sign and X painted on ground -treat as a yield sign at intersections

Procedures for RR xings

1. slow down - check traffic

2. turn off radio, heater, etc.; look, and listen

3. reduce speed to handle rough tracks/ sight distance

4. stop safe distance from tracks (15 to 50 ft) when lights are flashing

5. wait for train to clear and check crossing for another train

6. proceed at 20mph .

7. be prepared to stop when following buses or trucks

How far from RR crossings are signs posted?

250 ft. in city

750 ft in country

What markings do you see at RR crossings?

-crossbucks

-large painted X on ground

-lights

Ch 7 p4

Review Right of Way

* priviledge of having immediate use of a certain part of the roadway

*only have right of way when others give it to you

*may have to yield to others even if you have right of way

***failure to yield the right of way is one of the most frequent violations in fatal

collisions******

When do you Yield the Right of Way?

1. at stop signs

2. green lights

3. from an alley, driveway, private road

4. emergency vehicles

5. 4 way stop

6. yield sign

7. left turn

8. uncontrolled intersections

CHAPTER 8 - SHARING THE ROAD

I. Motorcycles

A) Where to look for them?

1) vehicles turning left .

2) turning right ( intersections or driveways)

3) passing cars on right or left

4) tailgating

5) blind spot

B) Be aware of:

1) motorcyclists are smaller and harder to see

2) harder to judge speed and distance in traffic

3) larger vehicles accept responsibility for protecting motorcyclist

4) injuries and death result primarily from exposed position of rider

5) inexperienced rider - best way to learn skills - Motorcycle riding course

6) handling traits on rainy, windy day (turns)

7) increase following distance to 3 or 4 seconds

8) make cyclists aware .of you

C) Use IPDE Process

1) Identify - places where motorcycles might be hidden from view

2) Predict - possible actions

3) Decide - based upon problems and conditions confronting cyclist

4) Execute - smoothly, avoid sudden actions that cause surprise

D) Braking

1) front brake - a lever.on right handle bar - supplies 70% of braking

power

2) rear brake - foot pedal - must coordinate both hand and foot brakes.

carefully for maximum braking power - if don't coordinate; could

control by locking front wheel

3) 3 second following distance to avoid sudden stops

E) Protective Equipment

1) helmet - head gear worn to protect or reduce head injuries

2) eye protection - goggles or face shield

3) heavy shoes or boots

4) full length pants and jacket

5) gloves

F) Special riding problems -need to allow extra time, extra caution

1) adverse weather conditions .

a) worst time is immediately after rain starts - traction is reduced

b)cyclists do not have windshield wipers - vision is reduced

Ch 8 p2

2) railroad crossings - painted X on pavement extremely slippery when wet

- extra traction by riding in wheel tracks of vehicle ahead

3) railroad crossings - cross at right angle so tires don't get caught in

grooves of crossing

4) passengers - double caution

a) causes difference in accelerating, braking, and turning.

b) creates balance and control problems

G) Motorcyclists can help by:

1) being visible in traffic - ride in left wheel track of vehicle ahead

2) ride in groups - stagger in lane - one on left ahead of one on right to

allow for room to serve without hitting each other

3) being seen at night - night time more difficult to judge speed, position

because taillight is smaller; wear reflective gear

II. Bicycles

A) Responsibilities

1) predict any possible action of bicyclist

2) ride on right side of road

3) obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals

4) walk bikes across busy intersections

5) wear light colored clothing and have reflectors on bike

6) do not listen to music

7) keep maintenance on bike

8) noise makers - bell or horn

9) headlight 500 ft. visibility

10) wear helmet

B) Predicting conflicts w/ bikes

1) warn them of presence

2) signal early

3) help others see them

4) reduce speed

5) look before opening car doors

III. Motor ScootersIMopeds

A) Restrictions

1) driver license

2) certain speed to be on road

3) passengers cause slower acceleration

B) Responsibilities

1) training course - Motorcycle Safety School

2) wear protective gear

3) check equipment and gauges

4) headlights on at all times

5) be seen by others - positioning

6) space cushion

7) caution during adverse weather

IV. Others that share the road

A) Pedestrians

1) use extra care when approaching crosswalks or intersections

2) alleys and driveways - stop and look and listen

3) Jogging areas

B) Special Purpose Vehicles

1) motor homes

2) maintenance crews

3) buses

a) traffic going in both directions on a 2 way street must stop

when buses are loading or unloading.

b) 4 way - do not have to stop

c) flashing red light and sign - do not proceed taillights are off

and sign is in

C) Emergency Vehicles

1) must make way for them

2) be alert and pull off to the right and stop

3) heavy traffic - move one direction or the other and leave room for

emergency vehicle

4) stay out of the way til all have passed - check traffic and proceed

Ch 8 p4

D) Trucks

1) light - pickups

2) medium - delivery

3) heavy - dump; semi

-when following leave a greater than 2 second interval

- not enough time to see potential hazards

- stay to left of lane; visible to trucks, oncoming traffic

- keep to right when meeting a truck

- reduces chance of side swipe and wind gusts

- pass trucks when possible

- trucks make wide turns

- stay back

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