Module 4 Tarah, Stephen, Jared, and Terence

Risk Assessment Risk –the chance of injury, damage, or loss. Chance –the possibility of something going wrong. Potential injuries, damage or loss –Bruises, broken bones, death; Vehicle damage, property damage; Financial loss, loss of opportunity, loss of time, etc. Increasing speed causes risk –It gives you less time to make quick decisions

Factors of Risk Risk Assessment –Recognizing increased risk situations Risk Acceptance –Evaluate consequences of taking risks Risk Compensations –Recognizing potential risk or limitations and making appropriate adjustments

Principals For Reduced Risk Never risk more than you can afford to lose –Example: Should I not wear my seat belt? Do not risk a lot for a little –Example: Is it worth it to drive on ice for a soda? Consider the odds & your situation –Can I control the actions of other drivers in bad weather?

Increasing Driving Risk 7 Factors: –Speeding –Failure to yield right of way –DUI –Disregarding a traffic sign or signal –Following too close –Improper turns –No safety belt use Developing sound habits and judgments Practice a space management system (SEE it) Develop good decision-making skills Reducing Driving Risk

Left-Front Zone (Green) Central Space Area Right-Front Zone (Maroon) Right-Rear Zone (White) Front Zone (Yellow) Rear Zone (Blue) Left-Rear Zone (Red) There are seven basic areas of operating space for a vehicle. Six of the space areas (zones) are around your vehicle, and the seventh, or central space, is the space your vehicle occupies. Space Management

The Three Areas Open Area A zone that has no restrictions to the line of sight or path of travel Closed Area A zone not available for the vehicle’s path of travel or an area that has a restriction to the driver’s line of sight Changing Area An open zone that may changed to a closed zone

Questions There is a car in front, behind you, and further back in the left lane. Where are the closed areas? Slow down and create an open zone. In front and behind your car. What is the best decision to minimize risk?

Questions Now, it is the same situation except the car behind you begins to approach rapidly. What is the best way to reduce risk? –Accelerate and move into the right lane

Closed, Open, or Changing? A parked car to your right: –Closed right front & right rear To make a right change you need: –Open right front & right rear A vehicle in your left mirror blind area is: –Closed left rear area A bicyclist in your right mirror blind area is Closed right rear area A vehicle passing you on the right: –Closed right rear & changing right front A large truck following closely: –Closed rear zone A yellow traffic signal is –Changing front zone

Turning/Changing Lanes How far in advance should you prepare for a right turn? – feet before Two ways to communicate the turn: 1. Turn signal & position 2. Tapping the break pedal Type of steering? –Hand-to-Hand When do you slow down for the turn? –When the line of sight is 20 seconds ahead in your path of travel. What visual reference will help you determine when to start turning? –When the side view mirror appears to be even with the curb

Look at diagram at the bottom What areas must you check before beginning a lane change? –Rear, left rear, left front Two reasons for making lane change –Slow moving vehicle/obstruction blocking path –Lane ends, or destination requires a switch Communicate changing lanes by: –Using a turn signal

Turnabouts What is your visual reference point to begin steering into the driveway? –When line of sight from driver to edge of driveway runs through the center of the back passenger window. Safest way to change direction in the city? –Go around the block!

Angle Parking Approach parking space 2-3 feet away Target = center of the parking space Visual reference point for beginning to steer: –when the side mirror appears to align with the first line of parking space Use hand-to-hand steering

Perpendicular Parking Approach parking space 5-7 feet away Target = center of the parking space Visual reference point for beginning to steer: –When the side view mirror appears to align with the first line Use hand-to-hand or push-pull steering

Parallel Parking Parallel parking space should be at least 5 feet longer than your vehicle Starting position for parallel parking is about 3 feet next to the vehicle parked in front of the space Reference point for beginning = to stop when your back bumper is even with the back bumper of the vehicle in front of you