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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. 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 licensed drivers are involved in a crash
Some drivers NEVER have a crash!

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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?

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

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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 

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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?)

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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?

30. 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.

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

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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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?

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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

43. 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

44. Three-Point Turnabouts2 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!

45. Three-Point Turnabouts2 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

46. U-Turn Turnabouts Mid-Block U-Turn 3 52 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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.

53. 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