Assessing and Managing Risk Chapter 1 Assessing and Managing Risk

Highway-Transportation System The main goal of the Highway transportation system (HTS) is to enable people and goods to move from place to place as safely and efficiently as possible. 3 parts: Motor vehicles, roadways, and people. Nearly 4 million miles of roadways link the states, countries, cities, and towns of the US.

HTS Regulated? Federal, state, and local governments work together to regulate the HTS. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires automakers to build certain safety features. Seatbelts and shatterproof windows. National Highway Safety Act established specific guidelines for state motor vehicle safety program. Vehicle registration and inspection, driver licensing, traffic laws and traffic courts, and highway construction maintenance Allows each state to set its own statutes, or laws, that concern highway safety Cities and towns, too, pass driving regulations. Ex: Drivers may turn right at red lights except where expressly prohibited.

Risk Driving involves risk-the chance of injury to yourself or others and the chance of damage to vehicles and property. The 1st important step toward responsible driving is realizing that this risk is real. Factors that contribute to risk are bad weather, poor roads, condition of your vehicle

Ways to reduce risk Keep your vehicle in top condition Anticipate the actions of others Take steps to protect yourself and others Drive only when you’re in sound physical and mental condition. Make conscious effort to develop your driving skills.

Visibility, Time, and Space Visibility- what you can see from behind the wheel and how well you see it and to the ability of others-pedestrians and other drivers-to see you. Reduced visibility= increased risk Time can refer to the ability to judge your speed and the speed of other vehicles. Also how long it will take your vehicle or another vehicle to stop or intersect paths. Space refers to distance. Keeping a margin of space between your vehicle and other vehicles allow you to maneuver.

SIPDE Process Search the roadway and off-road areas 20 to 30 seconds ahead for information that can help you plan a path of travel. Identify objects or conditions within 12 to 15 seconds ahead that could interfere with your planned path of travel Predict what actions or changes in conditions on or near the roadway could increase the level of risk Decide what actions or actions to take at least 4 to 5 seconds ahead of time to control or reduce risk Execute your decision

You must know when to look, where to look, how to look IPDE Process Identify- See or observing the driving scene. You must know when to look, where to look, how to look and what to look for. Other roadway users Traffic controls Conditions of your vehicle Visual search pattern and selective seeing

IPDE Process Predict- Guessing when and where possible conflict will happen. Prepare to adjust your actions to compensate other roadway users. Use of judgment, knowledge, and experience. Evaluate the situation and make a judgment about the possible consequences

IPDE Process Decide- Making decisions as to how to act. Change in speed Change in direction Communicate Your decision to maintain speed, change lanes, change directions, or communicate while driving. You also decide to communicate with other by using lights horn, or body movements

IPDE Process Execute- Taking action and carrying out your decisions in order to avoid conflict Accelerate Brake Steer Combined actions

Smith System Aim High and Look Ahead, Not Down Keep Your Eyes Moving Get the Big Picture Make Sure Others See you Leave Yourself a Way Out or A Margin of Safety

How does Driver Education Course be of value to you? Provide you with knowledge of vehicles Develop your ability to make sound driving decisions Provide awareness of emotional and physical factors that can impede driving ability Provide knowledge about vehicle maintenance and traffic laws

Help you make quick and accurate use of the IPDE Process. Zone Control System Help you make quick and accurate use of the IPDE Process. Zones -Are one of six areas of space around a vehicle that is the width of a lane and extends as far as the driver can see Open Zone -Space where you can drive without a restriction. Line of Sight -Distance you can see ahead in the direction you are looking. Path of Travel -The space your vehicle is going and taking up. Closed Zone -Space that is to open to you because of a restriction on your sight or path of travel. Target Area Range -Space form your vehicle to the target area

Where to look and how to look Open Zones -Use you Visual search pattern to look for open or closed zones Field Vision Central Vision- A narrow area where you can clearly see directly in front of you. Peripheral Vision- Area you can see to the, left or right of your central vision http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIJjGg0pddI

What factors might interfere with your ability to drive safely? Emotional state Effects of illness or injury Side effects of medications Alcohol or drugs Feeling that there is little or no risk involved in driving