1. Virginia Department of Education
Module Three
Part 1 Vision and Driving
Workbook page 19
Formative Assessment page 15

2. Topic 2 - Vision and Driving
Drivers base about 90% of all driving decisions on what they see, and % on what they hear or feel
Drivers must be able to look far enough ahead to make good decisions about speed, lane position, signs, signals, markings, and potential hazards
Drivers must be able to see near and far--close enough to read the speedometer, and far enough ahead to see/adjust for hazards

3. Effective Use of Visual Fields
The Three Visual Fields
Focal Vision
Visual Lead, Targeting, Signs, Signals
Central
Referencing, Path of Travel
Peripheral Vision
Motion and Color Changes

4. The Focal Vision Area
Located at the center of the central vision area, the fovea is a small part of the retina and is responsible for our highest visual acuity (Focal Vision)

5. Central Vision An area 35 to 38 degrees around focal vision used for:
Central Vision Area (Inner Fringe)
An area 35 to 38 degrees around focal vision used for:
Referencing Vehicle Position to Roadway
Viewing Path of Travel

6. Central Vision at Night
The human eye’s field of vision is much smaller without the help of natural light Depth perception, visual acuity, and color recognition are all compromised at night Minimize glare by looking at the bottom right of the road to avoid approaching headlights Keep it dark in the car Slow down to give yourself longer to react

7. Approximately 90 of vision to each side
Peripheral Vision
Approximately 90 of vision to each side
Increases total field of vision to about and is used to see:
Objects to the side
Movement and color changes to the side

8. Peripheral Vision and the Driving Task
Drivers use peripheral vision to:
See color and object movement
See signal changes, road signs, warning lights on the dashboard
Monitor traffic
Stay within the lane

9. Night Time Peripheral Vision
Is reduced dramatically due to lack of light to retina and glare
While Focal and Central Vision are also reduced, they become more critical for searching for problems

10. Vision is Affected by Smoke Speed Age Fatigue Dirty Windshield Drugs
Poor Windshield Wipers
Poor night vision
Night Blindness
Speed
Fatigue
Drugs
Poor weather
Darkness
Glare
Inattention

11. Depth Perception
Need both eyes to judge the distance between two objects
Depth perception allows you to:
judge gaps in traffic when turning, merging, or passing
judge distance when approaching a vehicle or obstruction

12. Poor Depth Perception
Stop too far from the stop line or intersection Stop too close to vehicles ahead Move into gaps that are too small Look for gaps that are larger than needed to perform a maneuver Follow other vehicles at unsafe following distance Hit parked cars when parking Have “close calls” when entering traffic, passing, etc.

13. As speed increases Central vision decreases and blurs
Peripheral vision decreases
Changes in steering exaggerate vehicle movement
VISION FIELDS NARROW

14. Ways to Improve the Vision Fields
Clean windows—inside and out
Clean lights—be sure they work
Check defroster and wiper blades
Remove any objects that interfere with vision
Adjust mirrors properly
Keep sunglasses, flashlight, windshield scraper in vehicle

15. Virginia Department of Education
Module Three
Part 2 Path of Travel

16. Line-of-sight is the distance you can see in your path of travel

17. Line-of-Sight (LOS) Restrictions
Vision is blocked, speed and position adjustments may be needed until LOS is restored

18. The space the vehicle will occupy while traveling to the target area
Path-of-Travel
The space the vehicle will occupy while traveling to the target area

19. Examples of Path-of-Travel Restrictions
Space is not available for the vehicle
Narrow lane and no shoulder
Vehicle stopped or blocking intersection

20. “Target” Far Ahead in the Path of Travel
Identify the target in this driver’s path of travel
A “Target” is an object or place far ahead in the center of your path of travel

21. Target AREA Provides the BIG Picture
The Target area is the area drivers must scan to the left and right of the target
Target Area

22. Advantages of Targeting
Easier to track vehicle in a straight line
Driver looks far ahead of the vehicle, and at the same time gathers information close to the vehicle
Driver can plan ahead to better manage risks
Targeting develops visual skills essential for managing traction loss and steering control

23. Virginia Department of Education
Module Three
Part 3 Footprint
Page 15 #2 Workbook
Definition: The Pavement Around Your Vehicle You Cannot See From the Driver’s Seat
Activity

24. Virginia Department of Education
Module Three
Part 4 Reference Points and Lane Positions
Pages Workbook
Activity

25. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Front Limitation
You will need to know where the front bumper of your vehicle is when you are:
At intersections
At a stopped position
When parking
At a crosswalk
STOP LINE

26. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Front Limitation
To position 3-6 inches from the line in front of your bumper, stop when your line of sight runs under the side view mirror to curb in front
Reference point
Line of sight
Reference Point

27. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Front Limitation
When you look at the curb line it appears to line up with the side view mirror

28. Standard Vehicle Reference Points Rear Limitations – How They are Used
LEFT
When backing to know where your rear bumper is
RIGHT
When backing around a corner, it’s the pivot point for turning, such as backing into a perpendicular parking space

29. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Rear Limitations
LEFT
When you look back over your left shoulder, the curb or line appears to be in the middle of the left rear window
RIGHT
When you look back over your right shoulder, the curb or line appears to be near the rear window corner

30. Standard Vehicle Reference Points Left-Side Reference Point
Used for:
Lane Position 2
Preparing for a left turn
Determining position for parking on the left side of a one-way street (3-6 inches from the curb or line)

31. Standard Vehicle Reference Points Left Side Reference (3-6 Inches)
When you look at the curb, pavement line, or edge of the road, it appears to line up about one foot in from the left edge of the hood

32. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
LEFT Reference Point
6 inches from line or median
3 feet from line or median
Relates a part of the vehicle to some part of the roadway
Know your vehicle placement within a lane at all times
Maneuver in confined places

33. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Right Side Reference Points
Are Used:
To know where the curb or line is located
For Lane Position 3
For parking

34. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Right Side Reference Point
Your vehicle is 3-6 inches from the curb, pavement line or edge of the road when the line appears near the center of the hood

35. Standard Vehicle Reference Points 6 inches from line or curb
RIGHT Reference Point
3 feet from line or curb
6 inches from line or curb
Relates a part of the vehicle to some part of the roadway
Know your vehicle placement within a lane at all times
Maneuver in confined places

36. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
To Position Vehicle Three Feet Away
When you look at the curb, pavement, or edge of the road, it appears to line up with the middle of the right- half of the hood

37. Standard Vehicle Reference Points
Right Side -- Three Feet Away
To position for a right turn or for
Lane Position 1

38. REFERENCE POINT REVIEW
Limitation
Front
Rear
Left
3”-6” from curb
Right
Reference Point
Side view mirror
Center door post
Left Hood line
Center of car
(inspection sticker)
Diagram

39. Using Lane Position to Maximize
Line Of Sight
Select the lane position that gives you the best line of sight and safest path of travel
Lane positions are based upon an average lane size of 12-feet wide, and a vehicle 6-feet wide

40. Lane Position 1 Workbook Letter A page 17
2-3 Feet
2-3 Feet
Positioned in the center of lane with an equal buffer of space on either side

41. Lane Position 2 Workbook Letter B page 17
3-6 Inches
Allows for 6 feet of space to the right of the vehicle. Used to prepare for a left turn or when avoiding a problem to the right of the vehicle.

42. Lane Position 3 Workbook Letter D page 17
3-6 Inches
Allows for 6 feet of space to the left of the vehicle. Used to prepare for a right turn or when avoiding a problem to the left of the vehicle.

43. Lane Positions 4 (Letter C) and 5 (Letter E)
Lane positions 4 and 5 – straddling the line to avoid a problem within a lane

44. Virginia Department of Education
Module Three
Part 5 Acceleration, Braking Vehicle Balance
Formative Assessment - Pages Workbook
Balloon Activity

45. Acceleration Techniques
Progressive, Smooth Acceleration
Heel pivots foot from the brake to the accelerator
Gently apply pressure to the accelerator pedal to gradually increase speed to minimize backward pitch and maintain vehicle balance
How do you know if you are and smoothly gaining speed?

46. Braking Techniques
Smooth braking technique: Is a trait of a skilled driver Saves wear and tear on the brake system and tires

47. Methods to Reduce Speed
Release the Accelerator
Most frequently used method to slow vehicle speed
Gradually reduce pedal pressure to avoid abrupt changes in speed

48. Methods to Reduce Speed
2. Controlled Braking - When releasing the accelerator is not enough
Check the rear view mirror
Release accelerator and apply smooth, steady pressure on the brake pedal
For a smooth STOP, gently ease off the brake a few seconds before stopping to reduce the vehicle’s weight shift so the car does not pitch forward then backward during the final phase of stopping

49. Methods to Reduce Speed (cont)
3. Threshold Braking in an Emergency
Slows the vehicle as quickly as possible without locking brakes or losing traction
Release accelerator while checking traffic behind
Exert forceful pressure on brake pedal and you will feel the vehicle weight shift forward
If you feel the wheels begin to slide, ease the pressure on brake pedal so the tires can begin rotating again

50. Methods to Reduce Speed (cont.)
4. Trail Braking – Used for Sharp Turns
Occurs at the transition point where you slightly reduce pressure on the brake pedal to allow the vehicle to begin to regain speed before applying the accelerator

51. Trail Braking 1. Use controlled braking prior to reaching the curve
2. Begin easing off brake, and trail brake with very light pressure until halfway through the turn,
3. Accelerate out of the turn

52. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Workbook page 65
ABS allows maximum stopping force without locking up the brakes (skidding) If standard brakes are applied too hard, the wheels "lock" or skid, and you lose steering control.

53. Anti-Lock Braking System (cont)
If steering control is lost, the vehicle skids in a straight line wherever it is going ABS is an anti-lock/anti-skid brake system that allows the driver to steer during hard braking

54. Anti-Lock Braking System (cont.)
The ABS warning will come on when there is a problem with either the ABS brake system, normal brake system, or the brake fluid is low in the master cylinder or the ABS brake system
To find out if a vehicle is equipped with ABS, turn on the ignition and check the instrument panel for the ABS indicator light

55. Practice Activating ABS
In a parking lot, go mph and execute an emergency stop to engage ABS Keep your foot firmly on the brake even when you feel the brake pulsate and/or hear noise This computerized pumping action can pump the brakes up to 15 times per second

56. Myths about ABS
There are fewer fatal crashes for cars equipped with ABS False, some drivers panic and/or release the brake when it pulses
Don’t use ABS brakes on a slippery surface
False, ABS shortens stopping distance and improves control on a slippery roads

57. Maintaining Vehicle Balance
Vehicle balance is the distribution of the weight of the vehicle on the tires Optimum balance is reached when the vehicle is not moving or is moving in a straight direction at a constant speed As soon as the vehicle accelerates, brakes, or turns, the balance is changed and the weight transfer changes the size of the tire patches

58. Worksheet on Vehicle Balance
Pitch, Roll, and Yaw
Worksheet on Vehicle Balance
Pitch, Roll, and Yaw are the three axes running through a vehicle’s center of gravity
Yaw
Pitch
Roll

59. Vehicle’s weight shifts backward or forward
Vehicle Pitch
Vehicle’s weight shifts backward or forward
Forward Pitch
Changing Vehicle Load from Rear to Front
Backward Pitch:
Changing Vehicle Load from Front to Rear
Accelerating
Releasing the brake
Releasing the accelerator
Braking

60. Vehicle Roll
Roll: Vehicle’s weight shifts to the tires located on one side of the vehicle
Which direction is this driver steering to cause this weight shift? What causes a vehicle roll over?

61. Vehicle Yaw Yaw: Fishtailing
No Yaw
Yaw
Vehicle’s rear tires lose traction and weight shifts to one side while opposite rear wheel moves toward front of vehicle

62. Steering For Balance And Control
Sit at a safe distance from the wheel
Use a balanced hand position
As speed increases, steering input is reduced for turns and other maneuvers
Photo courtesy of ADTSEA

63. Changes in Speed Affects
Balance and Control
Pushing or releasing the accelerator pedal is the primary method to adjust the speed of a vehicle
Changes in speed causes weight shifts to front or rear tires
Increases in speed with steering adjustments causes significant shifts in the vehicle’s weight

64. Braking Affects Balance and Control
How does braking affect balance and control in a front or rear-wheel drive vehicle?

65. Effect of Hard Braking and Steering
Load Decreasing
Applying hard braking causes weight to shift sharply to the front tires
If the weight shift exceeds available traction, the tires will skid and steering control is lost (under steer)
Load Increasing

66. Steering and Balance
Accelerating, braking, or steering shifts the vehicle’s weight from tire to tire and affects vehicle balance and control
Describe the driver’s action and how is it affecting this vehicle’s balance?

67. Vehicle Load
Vehicle load capacity includes the combined weight of people, liquids and cargo that the vehicle is designed to safely handle

68. Effect of Load On Vehicle Balance
What could occur if the driver of this vehicle made a quick steering maneuver?
Photo courtesy of AAA Foundation

69. Worksheet on Vehicle Balance
ROLL
PITCH
YAW
Definition
How does it happen?
How do you prevent/reduce it?
Consequences if not prevented
Side to side
Front and Back
Fishtail
Accelerate too quickly (pitch back)
Brake too hard
(pitch forward)
Rear tires lose traction
Ex: hydroplaning, ice/snow
Weight shifts from side to side
Ex: on a curve
Accelerating and
braking gradually on non-dry surfaces
If happens take foot off brake and accelerator and steer where you want to go
Slow down to a safe speed for the road and conditions
Smooth acceleration and smooth braking (braking – to – a stop)
People or objects in car fly around
Brakes wear faster
Roll over
Loss of control