Objectives: Students will utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to learn basic driving skills Topics covered:  Basic maneuvers to enter, start vehicle, and enter roadways  Vision and perception to synthesize information from the driving environment  Controlling risks and utilizing space management to search and evaluate traffic environment  Developing good driving habits to become a safe driver

 Keep foot firmly on the brake when you first get in the car — to hold the vehicle in place until you are ready to proceed  Select the proper gear—how the vehicle is parked will determine whether to go forward or backward  Check traffic—ahead, in both the side, and rearview mirrors  Use proper signals—signal your intention to show the direction you plan to move away from  Recheck traffic including the mirrors and blind spots  Select a gap  Move foot from brake to accelerator  Move to the proper lane

 When backing the vehicle in a straight line— always back at slow speeds  One hand steering is recommended only for backing maneuvers  Place right foot on the brake and shift to reverse  Grasp the steering wheel at 12 o’clock with the left hand  Look in the direction you are backing and through the back window  Search all areas behind the vehicle prior to and while backing  Turn the steering wheel (at the top, where your hand is) in the direction you want the back of the car to go.

 When backing to the right—turn steering wheel to the right—your visual search will be primarily over your right shoulder and through the rear right side window.  When backing to the left – turn steering wheel to the left – your visual search will be primarily over your left shoulder and through the drivers- side front and rear windows.  It is always necessary to stop and signal when pulling out of a driveway even if there is no traffic; stop even if there is no stop sign  You must yield the right-of-way to all persons approaching on the sidewalk

 Visual search pattern includes—the visual lead area; line of sight; and path of travel—driver should always establish a visual search pattern to identify potential risk situations  Central Vision—used for determining standard visual references in driving, relative position in space, time, and movement into space—the vision to judge depth perception  Peripheral Vision—the ability to monitor and detect what is happening from side to side—strongly affected by fatigue, drugs, and speed  Field of Vision—is what you can see while looking ahead—visual lead time should be 20 seconds

 Intersections are the highest risk areas—the majority of crashes occur at intersections—adjust speed as you get closer  Stop behind stop signs, crosswalks, or before entry when needed—proceed through open space area when traffic controls permit  Check traffic to the rear of your vehicle to determine if the zones are open or closed—if you identify a closed zone, be prepared to reduce your speed or stop—an example of a rear closed zone

 Lane Position One—provides drivers the maximum space within the lane on each side of the vehicle  Lane Position Two— Use this when there is a potential hazard on the right side of your lane  Lane Position Three—Use this when there is a potential hazard on the left side of your lane