Virginia Department of Education Module Four Using a Space Management System While Interacting with Traffic

Virginia Department of Education Module Four Using a Space Management System While Interacting with Traffic Topic 1 Assessing and Managing Risk Topic 2 Components of a Space Management System Topic 3 Using the SEEiT Space Management System Topic 4 Moving the Vehicle Topic 5 Turnabouts and Parking

What is Risk? Driving Risk is the potential that a chosen action (e.g., speeding, texting, etc.,) may lead to an undesirable outcome. Choices have Consequences

Assessing and Managing Risk To properly assess a specific risk, you need to have some idea of the potential outcomes. For example, if you are a distracted driver, your potential for being involved in a crash increases 4 to 9 times. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2008)  

What is Risk Assessment? Drivers must have the ability to: Identify a potentially dangerous situation Prepare to take action to avoid a conflict Consider your options and the potential consequences of your actions

Consequences of Risky Driving Behaviors Taking unnecessary risks may result in property damage, injury or death, and other losses Injury to you or others - permanent or life-threatening, Damage to personal property, and Loss such as financial loss, loss of license, loss of convenience, loss of time, and other losses.  

Teen Crash Statistics in the USA Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group Approximately nine teenagers, (ages 16 to 19) died every day from motor vehicle injuries Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash What can YOU DO to change these statistics?

Consequences of Risk-Taking Behaviors Young drivers take more risks than other drivers Virginia data for 2011 1 crash every 4.36 minutes 2.09 lives lost per day because of traffic crashes 174 persons injured per day because of traffic crashes  1 out of 25.39 licensed drivers are involved in a crash Some drivers NEVER have a crash!

Risk-Taking Behaviors Cause Crashes Very often drivers actually create the high risk situations they become involved in! Speeding is the number one cause of crashes in Virginia Speeding is driving above the posted speed or driving too fast for conditions Do speed limits improve public safety?

Assessing and Managing Risk Failure to Yield Right of Way is the second leading cause of crashes in Virginia Right of way is when a driver or pedestrian is allowed to proceed first at an intersection, merging roadway, private driveway, etc. A driver cannot “take” right of way, it must be given by another driver

Assessing and Managing Risk Driving While Intoxicated is the third leading cause of crashes in Virginia In Virginia, 245 persons were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2011. Why are young drivers who consume alcohol at much greater risk of being involved in crashes?

Assessing and Managing Risk Disregarding a traffic sign or signal is the fourth leading cause of crashes in Virginia

Assessing and Managing Risk Factors Contributing to Risk Following Too Closely is the fifth leading cause of crashes in Virginia. You will not crash if you have space -- space is time – time to steer or brake to avoid a hazard  Why do young drivers tend to leave shorter following distances than older drivers?

Assessing and Managing Risk Other Driver Actions Contributing to Crashes Improper Turns — Examples of improper turns would be turning wide in a right turn or cutting corners on left turns Unsafe Passing — This involves illegal passing or passing without sufficient clearance A lack of driving experience and risk-taking  

Assessing and Managing Risk Risk is always present… Never risk more than you can afford to lose Do not risk a lot for a little Consider the odds and your situation  

Tools to Reduce Driving Risks Communicate Change Speed and/or Change Position

Communicate Signal – lights or hand signals (turning, backing, hazards, warning) brake light (flash, slowing, stopping) lane position (intent to change lanes or turn, hazard in lane ahead) horn (warn, get someone’s attention) head lights (to see and be seen, to warn others)

Change Speed Your options are to maintain, increase or decrease speed if: path of travel is open path of travel is changing path of travel is closing path of travel is closed

Change Position or Direction It is quicker to change position than to stop, so you always need to know what space is available to: move to a different lane position to gain more space change lanes turn onto another street   

Assessing and Managing Risk How Much Risk is Acceptable? Drivers need visibility, space, and time to avoid conflicts and perform safe driving maneuvers Good seeing habits and the ability to manage space on the roadway are essential ingredients for low-risk driving Developing space management HABITS can reduce driving risks

Do YOU Have These Good Habits? Plan ahead and leave early Prepare yourself and the vehicle Perform smooth gradual starts and stops Consistently use reference points to determine vehicle placement Establish visual targets in your path of travel When you apply your foot to the brake or accelerator, you check the rearview mirror

Do YOU Have These Good Habits? Prior to moving to the left or right, you check side view mirror and mirror blind spot  You always strive to maintain a four-second following interval from the vehicle in front to create space and protect yourself to the front and rear from unsafe actions of other drivers When stopped behind a vehicle, you leave space to move around the stopped vehicle in case of an emergency or rear-end crash

Do YOU Have These Good Habits? Visually target to the end of the path of travel When approaching a light, you adjust speed to time your arrival to the green light or stop Prior to entering an intersection, you check front, left, and right zones, and back to the front and left again Reduce stress by being courteous rather than competitive while driving Minimize distractions

What is a Space Management System? Assess, Action Step, Evaluate A space management system helps drivers organize information into meaningful categories so decisions can be made easily and quickly Drivers must evaluate potential risk using the principles of probability (will it happen?) and consequence (what will be gained or lost?)

Managing the Space Around Your Vehicle Drivers must manage all six zones around the vehicle, and adjust position to maintain a safe margin of space that provides room to steer in an emergency Right-Front Zone Right-Rear Zone 3 5 Front Zone Rear Zone 1 6 Left-Rear Zone Left-Front Zone 2 4

Open, Closed and Changing Zones A Zone can be OPEN, CLOSED or CHANGING OPEN — An open zone is a space where you can drive without restriction CLOSED — The space or area is not available in the vehicle’s path of travel CHANGING — An open zone changes to a closed zone or a closed zone becomes an open zone

Using a Space Management System Closed ZONE Right-Rear Zone Changing ZONE Check Rear Move Here Changing ZONE Closed ZONE Check Rear Check Side Open Open ZONE Check Side Evaluate your options and then take action OPEN — this zone that has no restrictions to the line of sight or path of travel. CLOSED — this zone not available CHANGING — it was an open zone that is changing to a closed zone.

Stopping Behind Another Vehicle Why do you stop in a position that you can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front? See tires

Managing the Space to the Rear Check rearview mirrors: Regularly Before and while braking While stopped in traffic Before and after making turns Before and after a lane change Can you control the space behind you?

Managing the Space to the Sides Strive to keep one of the side zones open Respond to an oncoming vehicle by slightly adjusting lane position to increase space between your vehicle and the oncoming vehicle Adjust lane position to increase space between your vehicle and parked cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, etc.

Factors Affecting Response Time Distractions Inattention Poor Visibility Line of Sight Restrictions Fatigue Medications Alcohol Illness Age Talking on Cell Phone Others?

Topic 4 – Moving the Vehicle Making Proper Adjustments Moving Straight Forward Moving Straight Back Backing and Turning Entering the Roadway Pulling to the Curb

Before You Move the Vehicle Making Proper Adjustments Seat Steering Wheel Head Restraints Mirrors Safety Belts Refer to Module 2 – topic 2 (slides 9-22) for proper adjustments

Many new driver’s first “fender bender” is a backing collision! A driver’s view is greatly limited when backing. The driver must check all corners of his/her vehicle for potential contact with pedestrians or other vehicles during the entire backing process.

Reducing Risk When Backing The rear “Foot Print” is the area behind the vehicle that the driver cannot see The foot print for each of the vehicles below is illustrated by the “pink” areas Why are these foot prints different for different vehicles? The area around your vehicle that you cannot see is known as the “foot print” or vehicle operating space. The pink in this graphic demonstrates the rear foot print for each of these vehicles. Why does this area vary so greatly from vehicle to vehicle?

Moving Straight Back Make proper adjustments Start the vehicle with foot on the brake Shift to reverse Assume the straight backing position Left hand at 12 o’clock Looking over right shoulder Backing

Backing Straight Check traffic to front, sides and rear Select a target Gradually release brake pressure Move slowly Accelerate gradually Cover the brake when needed Backing

Backing & Turning Signal Readjust seat position according to direction that you turn wheel Right Side/Left Side Establish visual target Use reference points to determine when to start turning steering wheel Turn the wheel in the direction you want the back of the vehicle to go Monitor “swing” of front of vehicle

Entering Roadway Tasks Check Ahead Check Left Review pre-drive tasks Start the vehicle Shift to drive Release park brake Check traffic and signal Move to first available lane by Targeting center lane Position 1 Cancel Signal Accelerate gradually to the flow of traffic Check Over Shoulder Check Mirror

Turnabouts If you miss an address or building and you do not have the option of driving around the block… Types of Turnabouts Two-point turn: Pull into driveway on right side Pull into driveway on left side  Three-point turn  U-turn Midblock At an intersection

Turnabouts Minimize risk by: being sure local laws permit a turnabout — look for any signs prohibiting the turn making sure you have at least 500 feet of visibility in each direction being sure you have enough space and time to complete the turn safely never making a turnabout near or on hills and curves checking continually for other traffic and pedestrians — check all zones around your vehicle NO U Turns LEFT

Backing into driveway on the right side Two-Point Turnabouts Backing into driveway on the right side One method is to back into a driveway on the right side 1 1. Check traffic flow Signal, and position yourself 2-3 feet from curb Drive beyond the driveway and stop ; shift to reverse, monitor intended path 2. Back slowly, turning steering wheel rapidly to the right as you enter driveway Straighten wheels, centering car in driveway and stop with the wheels straight 3. Signal left and exit driveway when the way is clear 2 3

Pulling into driveway on the left side Two-Point Turnabouts Pulling into driveway on the left side 1. Check traffic flow Signal and position your vehicle to 3-6 inches from center yellow line When traffic is clear, drive into the driveway and stop Shift to reverse, monitor intended path 2. Back slowly, turning steering wheel rapidly to the right as you exit driveway Straighten wheels, centering car in roadway 3. Shift into drive - Check traffic and accelerate to normal speed 1 2 3

Three-Point Turnabouts 2 4 1 3 5 Three-point turns are also called Y-turns, and are an option if no driveway is available, traffic is light, you cannot drive around the block, or the available space prevents a U-turn This is the most dangerous turnabout!

Three-Point Turnabouts 2 1 3 5 Stop close to the right edge or curb Search for a 20- to 30-second gap, signal a left turn Move slowly forward while turning the steering wheel rapidly to the left when the front wheels are almost to the curb, stop — Check traffic left and right Shift the vehicle into reverse and, while slowly backing up, turn the wheel to the right Shift into drive — Check traffic — Signal your intent and accelerate to normal speed

U-Turn Turnabouts Mid-Block U-Turn 3 5 2 4 1 3 5 Make sure local and state law permits this type of turnabout A midblock U-turns require a wide space This is a high-risk turnabout

U-Turn at an Intersection U-Turn Turnabouts U-Turn at an Intersection When making a U-turn at an intersection, begin the U-turn in the left lane closest the center line or median Complete the turn in the lane farthest to the right in the opposite flow of traffic, and accelerate to the appropriate speed 1 5

Angle Parking Parking diagonally to the curb Signal intention, position vehicle three to four feet away from the space Move forward until side view mirror appears to align with the first pavement line Visually target the middle of the space and move slowly turning the wheel sharply Once front enters space, gradually begin unwinding the steering wheel while monitoring the vehicles parked on either side

Perpendicular Parking - Entering 1. Signal intention and position the vehicle five to six feet away from the space 2. Move forward until the side mirror appears to align with the first line of the space 3. Turn the wheel rapidly in the direction of the space controlling speed 4. Steer towards a target in center of the space and straighten the wheels 5. Position the front bumper three to six inches from the curb or end of the space target

Parallel Parking on a Two-Way Street STEP 1 Select a space that is at least five feet longer than your vehicle Flash your brake lights , put on your turn signal as you approach the space, and monitor rear traffic Place your vehicle approximately three feet from the vehicle you want to park behind, aligning your rear bumper with the other vehicle's bumper Put the vehicle into reverse and turn the wheels all the way to the right  

Parallel Parking on a Two-Way Street STEP 2 Slowly back up until you are at a 45-degree angle using your side view mirror, back until you can see the headlight closest to the curb of the vehicle behind to establish the 45-degree angle Stop

Parallel Parking on a Two-Way Street Step 3 Turn the wheels all the way to the left Slowly back up monitoring the right front fender until you are parallel with and within 12 inches of the curb.

Parking Lot Strategies Obey speed limits Obey the signs and pavement markings Do not drive diagonally across parking lot lane markings Be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists, roller-bladders and skateboarders Avoid tight parking spaces Avoid competing for a parking space