1 Chapter 1 You Are the Driver

2 Chapter 1 Overview Chapter 1 introduces you to the highway transportation system and the driving task. The chapter also describes the driving task as a complex set of skills conducted in a complex highway transportation system and presents the results of system breakdowns. It explains how a driver education course, driving practice, and the licensing process work together to produce better drivers.

3 1.1 You Are Part of the System This section will introduce you to the highway transportation system and the driving task. Section 1 Objectives: Following this section, I will be able to: 1. Describe the three parts of the highway transportation system (HTS). 2. Explain how the HTS is regulated.

4 1.1 Vocabulary Following this section, I will be able to define: 1. highway transportation system 2. risk 3. vehicle code.

5 Introduction Describe the driving task. What factors would affect the task of the driver? What are the responsibilities of driving?

6 What are conflicts and/or risks that might be associated with driving? Conflicts and risks must be managed by you, the driver. The main risk in driving is the possibility of having a conflict that results in a collision.

7 The Highway Transportation System (HTS) Purpose of the HTS is to move people and cargo from one place to another in a safe, efficient, and economical manner. The HTS is the most complex of all transportation systems. The HTS has three (3) parts:  People  Vehicles  Roadways

8 HTS People- Who are these roadway users? Vehicles- What types of vehicles use the roadway? Roadways- How do roadways and conditions vary?

9 Regulating the HTS What is the most important part of regulating the HTS? Drivers who operate their vehicles in a responsible, low-risk manner. How does the federal, state, and local agencies help regulate the HTS? (vehicle code)

10 Review It 1. What are the parts and purpose of the HTS? 2. How is the HTS regulated?

Your Driving Task This section describes the driving task as a complex set of social, physical, and mental skills conducted in a complex highway transportation system. Section 2 Objectives: Following this section, I will be able to: 1. Explain how social, physical, and mental skills work together in the driving task. 2. Identify the four steps in the IPDE Process.

Vocabulary Following this section, I will be able to define: 4. defensive driving 5. driving task 6. IPDE Process 7. Smith System 8. Zone Control System

13 Driving Task The driving task consists of three (3 ) skills:  1. Social skills  2. Physical skills  3. Mental skills

14 Social skills- What type of skills are needed to interact successfully? Physical skills- What type of skills are needed to interact successfully? Mental skills- What type of skills are needed to be successful?

15 IPDE Process The IPDE Process is a process of seeing, thinking, and responding. There are four (4) steps to this process:  Identify-  Predict-  Decide-  Execute-

16 Two (2) other systems aid you in using the IPDE Process.  Smith System- What does it help develop?  Zone Control System- What does it help develop?  The IPDE Process helps develop the ability called defensive driving.

17 Review It 1. How does the driving task require a blend of social, mental, and physical skills? 2. What are the four steps in the IPDE Process? City Driving Tactics video

Your Driving Responsibilities This section emphasizes the responsibilities associated with driving. It also presents the importance of emotions and the results of system breakdowns. Section 3 Objectives: Following this section, I will be able to: 1. Explain how your attitude will affect your driving. 2. Identify some examples of HTS breakdowns. 3. Describe several major causes of collisions. 4. Explain how drivers can help protect our environment.

Vocabulary Following this section, I will be able to define: 9. collision

20 Driving Is it a privilege or a right? How important is your attitude with regard to your being a successful driver?

21 When does a breakdown in the HTS occur? Two (2) examples of HTS breakdowns are:  Traffic tie-ups  Collisions

22 Collision or Accident? What is the difference between an accident and a collision? (Refer to the chart “Compare the Odds” on page 9) Driving a car is the most dangerous way to travel. Why? More than 5,000 teenagers die in car collisions each year! Over 45,000 Americans die from collisions each year!

23 Causes of Collisions Collisions usually have more than one cause. Driver error is by far the most common cause. Immaturity combined with inexperience leads to a potential for disaster! What are some other possible errors? Speed, distractions and driver inexperience cause most crashes.

24 Collision Statistics Speeding is a factor in 35% of crash deaths involving young drivers. Cell phone use increases the crash risk by 300%. Adding one passenger increases the fatal crash risk by 48%. Adding a second passenger increases the fatality risk by 158%.

25 Collision Statistics 87% of teen deaths involve distracted drivers; radios rank as a top teen distraction. Eating at the wheel causes 2% of teen crashes. Nearly half of teens are sleep-deprived, and young drivers cause 55% of fatigue-related crashes. Between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM teens are 3 times more likely to die in a crash than during the day.

26 Causes of Death Refer to chart on page 10 that compares traffic collisions with other major causes of death for young people. More young people die from vehicle collisions than from any other single cause. Teens make up only 6.7% of all motorists in the US, however, they account for 14% of the fatal crashes. Why is driving such a high-risk activity?

27 Social and Economic Loss Collisions have tremendous impact costing billions of dollars in property damage, time away from work and school, medical fees, and insurance premiums. A recent AAA study found that teen crashes cost the rest of us more than $34 billion annually. The cost of mental anguish and physical suffering simply cannot be measured.

28 Other Responsibilities In addition to driving, drivers also have financial and environmental responsibilities. Financial- fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, damage or injuries that you may cause. Environmental- air/water pollution, chemical spills, improper disposal of vehicle-related products.

29 Review It 1. How do attitudes affect driving? 2. What are some examples of breakdowns In the HTS? 3. What are the three major causes of collisions? 4. What are some actions drivers can take to protect our environment?

Your Driver’s License This section explains how a driver education course, driving practice, and the licensing process work together to produce better drivers. Section 4 Objectives: Following this section, I will be able to: 1. Explain how a graduated driver licensing program can help you drive more safely. 2. List some of the main concepts stressed in a quality driver education program.

Vocabulary Following this section, I will be able to define: 10. graduated driver licensing program

32 Driving is one of the most dangerous activities that you will ever do. (Refer to chart on page 11) Why is the highway death rate higher among teens than any other group? (41% of the young people who died in the collisions referred to in the chart, died in single-car collisions.) What is the purpose of the driver licensing program?

33 Graduated Driver Licensing Program (GDL) Missouri’s GDL law requires young drivers to complete three (3) steps in the driver licensing process.  First, at age 15, a person may apply for an instruction permit.  At age 16, a person may apply for an intermediate driver license; and  At age 18, a person may apply for a full driver license. The GDL process is complete when a person has obtained a full driver license or reaches the age of 21.

34 Organ Donor Program May indicate your desire to be an organ donor on your driver license or by filling out an organ donor card. Remember to inform your family and friends about your decision so that your wishes will be carried out.

35 Implied Consent Programs Law stating that anyone who receives a driver’s license automatically consents to be tested for blood-alcohol content and other drugs if stopped for suspicion of drug use while driving. If you refuse to take the test, you will lose your driver’s license.

36 Driver Education and Your License What are some advantages of having your license? You should be equally interested in the skills you need to become a responsible, low-risk driver. You will have a wide range of classroom and on-road experiences in this course that will help you learn the skills and develop the habits needed to become a low-risk driver.

37 Review It 1. How can a graduated driver licensing program help you? 2. What are the key concepts in a quality driver education program?

38 You Are the Driver Review Questions