S.I.P.D.E. including distance guidelines and adaptation to surroundings

Safe driving depends, to a great extent, upon your ability to correctly analyze a traffic situation around you and to react to it. Good seeing habits are most important for responsible driving. However, just being able to see well is no guarantee you will see all critical clues or make correct responses. The driving task is primarily a thinking task. Driving is about 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental. Physically, all you can do is start, stop and turn your car. All the rest is mental. Most responsible drivers use some kind of system that deals with most of the traffic possibilities they will encounter. These drivers have fewer close calls and collisions than drivers who do not use an organized system.

The S.I.P.D.E. process is an organized system of seeing, thinking and responding.

1. Search
2. Identify
3. Predict
4. Decide
5. Execute

SEARCH

You begin by searching the traffic situation to gather information for your decisions and actions. You need to develop a system of searching for information and clues within and about the driving environment to recognize possible problems ahead, behind and on both sides of your car. Your must process this information properly and then decide how to avoid conflict and you must execute the correct actions.

You need to develop a visual search pattern. A visual search pattern is a process of searching critical areas in a regular sequence. To use a visual search pattern, look for clues in a certain pattern and in a systematic manner.

An example of a visual search for driving straight ahead is:

1. Glance ahead.
2. Check your rearview mirror.
3. Glance ahead again.
4. Glance at the side of the roadway or intersection.
5. Glance ahead again.
6. Check your speedometer and gauge.
7. Glance ahead again.

All glances should last only an instant.

Different driving environments and traffic situations present a variety of visual search problems. Mr. Harold Smith introduced a system for safe driving many years ago. The Smith System stresses eye discipline and the idea of space cushion.

1. Aim high steering:
   To "aim high" means to look far ahead when you drive. We do not look at our feet when we walk, we look ahead. Aiming high allows you to be able to analyze traffic situations. In city traffic, look at least one block ahead. On highways and expressways, look as far ahead as possible, for at least 2-3 seconds.
2. Keep your eyes moving:
   Glancing near and far, right and left, in mirrors as well as the instrument panel. Be sure to look ahead again.
3. Get the big picture:
   Getting the big picture is the mental process of putting together the critical clues that your eyes selected and identified as they scanned.
4. Make sure others see you:
   This rule tells you to communicate with other drivers. You can communicate your presence or intentions with lights, horn, car position, eye contact or body movement.
5. Leave yourself an out.
   Leaving yourself an out means you have identified an escape path in case of a possible conflict. You constantly adjust position to keep space around your vehicle in changing traffic conditions. If you do not have at least one available out, adjust your position until you do have one.

IDENTIFY

If you do not know what you are looking for, knowing how, when, and where to look does little good. Identify specific driving related clues.

Identify parked cars on a street, such as front wheels turned towards the street which could be an indication of a motorist possibly pulling into your lane. Vapor coming from an exhaust pipe or a driver sitting in the car. These clues indicate that a parked car may be ready to enter your path of travel.

The kinds of clues you search for will change in different driving environments. In city driving, search for intersections, pedestrians and other traffic. On open highways, search areas much further ahead. Look for crossroads, slow moving vehicles, and animals. During expressway driving, search the other lanes ahead, behind, and beside you.

Identify other users by searching the traffic scene for other roadway users which might affect your planned path of travel.

Develop the habit of ground identification. Ground viewing is when you make quick glances at the roadway in front of your vehicle.

Always be on the lookout to identify problem drivers. Problem drivers usually give clues by their driving behavior. Some fast drivers may be problem drivers. They may try to pass without enough room or in a no passing zone. They frequently change lanes, trying to get ahead of the normal traffic flow. Distracted or confused drivers may also be problem drivers. Be alert for those who are driving with only one hand on the steering wheel while holding a coffee cup or a telephone in the other hand.

The roadway itself is another important area to watch. Identify intersections, hills and curves early. Be aware ahead of time that the width of your lane may be reduced. Multi-lane roadways often narrow into single lane roadways. Identify signs warning you of this change early enough to position your car in the through lane. Always try to avoid making any unnecessary stops in moving traffic.

Identify changes in the width of lanes, such as standing water, potholes or objects in the roadway that can narrow your lane space. Identify these conditions early so that you have more time to plan a path around them.

Your identification process should keep you looking constantly for roadside hazards such as pedestrians, bicyclists, parked cars and animals. Watch for shopping center entrances, roadside stands, and restaurants.

Identify the roadway surface and conditions each time you begin to drive. Many times, the weather will change while you are driving. Roadway surfaces may be dry when you start out and then become wet and slippery with rain.

Identify traffic controls as early as possible so you are ready to make correct responses.

PREDICT

Once you have identified a possible hazard, predict how this hazard might create a conflict. When you predict, you interpret the information you have identified. You predict where possible points of conflict can occur. You try to foresee what might happen and how it might affect your path.

Analyzing a situation is part of predicting. It is also a basic part of responsible driving. Most of the time you will be faced with more than one possible hazard, so predicting can become a complex problem.

Predicting involves what is happening, what could happen and, if it does happen, how it might affect you. To predict, you must evaluate the situation and make a judgment about the possible consequences. The more complex a situation is, the more difficult it is to identify and predict.

Making a judgment about a traffic situation involves measuring, comparing, and evaluating. As you drive, you judge speed, time, space, distance, traction and visibility. You make judgments about your own driving performance as well as the action and performance of other drivers.

When predicting the actions of others, you do not want to assume that other roadway users will always take the correct action. Instead watch for clues to what they might do. The responsible driver predicts that other drivers and pedestrians will make mistakes.

The most important types of predictions to make concerning the actions of other drivers are: Where will the other driver go? What actions will the other driver take? Is more than one action possible? When will the action be taken? Where might I be when that action happens? Where might our paths cross?

You should also attempt to predict that pedestrians may step out in front of you. By making these predictions, you will be able to slow, or stop in order to avoid a conflict.

Always be prepared to adjust your speed for varying conditions and situations. Different traffic, roadway, and weather conditions can change the amount of time and space needed for slowing down and braking control.

DECIDE

Once you have identified a situation and predicted a possible conflict, you must then decide upon an action to avoid the conflict. There is probably no task more important for a driver than making wise decisions in time to avoid conflict. There may be times when you fail to identify every clue in a situation. Other users will often take actions you did not predict. The decisions you make in these situations become the basic factors for your safe driving. Be prepared to change your plans to avoid a conflict.

Any decision you make will be influenced by your own speed and the speed of other vehicles. Many drivers think that slowing down is the only way to avoid a conflict. It is not. It may also require a quick maneuver.

You can decide to change your position on the roadway or you might change lanes to the left or right. The Smith System guidelines of "leave yourself an out" allow you to change directions when necessary. You will then have an escape path to use in order to avoid conflict. Having an escape path gives you space all around your vehicle.

The decision to communicate with others helps reduce a possible conflict. The Smith System Rule, "make sure others see you," tells others where you are and what you plan to do.

You may use your lights to give signals to other drivers. Use your brake lights to signal the other drivers that you intend to slow or stop. Using your turn signals tells the other drivers that you plan to turn or change lanes. Your emergency flashers convey the message I am in trouble or I cannot move. Remember that four way emergency flashing lights on a moving vehicle is a violation of Florida Law. White back up lights let others know that you are backing up or intend to back up. Look for back up lights on cars in parking lots as a clue for a possible conflict. Parking lights warn other drivers that you are parked along the side of the roadway. Try to develop eye contact with other drivers. You can communicate many messages this way. If there is a possibility of conflict, check to see if the other person is looking at you. While eye contact often helps reduce the risk of conflict it does not guarantee that there will not be conflict.

EXECUTE

Carrying out your decisions in order to avoid conflict is the "execute" step in the S.I.P.D.E. process. This step involves the physical skills used in driving. In most cases you will execute routine maneuvers and actions.

Executing the decision to accelerate means you have judged the speed and use of space by others. You might accelerate to get out of another driver's way or to avoid an obstruction in the roadway. Remember that different vehicles have different acceleration capabilities. Consider your own vehicle's capabilities before executing a decision to accelerate.

When you have decided to decelerate or brake to reduce risk, you should have already considered the surface of the roadway. The amount of braking needed will vary with the speed of your car and the condition of the roadway. When braking suddenly, check vehicles to the rear. Avoid locking the brakes during an emergency stop. Locked brakes make steering impossible, since wheels must be turning to provide traction for steering.

When you decide to steer away from a conflict, execute just the amount of steering needed. Over steering can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, especially at higher speeds. Higher speeds also require more space for your maneuver.

You will often need to execute a combination of actions. Sometimes you might need to accelerate and steer at the same time. In other situations you might need to brake, communicate, and steer at the same time. The precision and timing with which you execute these actions determines whether or not a conflict will occur.¹

Following distance including two-second minimum, when to increase speed and dealing with tailgaters

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE

Being too close is only a good thing in horseshoes and drive-in movies, not in traffic.

The concept of one car length for every ten miles per hour has been rendered obsolete by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) research. The primary reasoning for this is people have difficulty judging what one car length is consistently. Furthermore, at fifty-five miles per hour, a vehicle travels 80.63 feet in one second (55 mph multiplied by 1.466 conversion factor equals 80.63 feet per second). If the driver has accurately judged fifty-five feet of distance behind the car and has to stop. In the three-quarters of a second reaction time, the car will travel 60.47 feet before the driver can even begin to apply the brakes, all but assuring a collision. If you maintain a minimum (for clear, dry weather) of a two-second interval between you and the car ahead, at fifty-five mph you will have a 161.3- foot buffer ahead to react and stop within.

When you are following another vehicle in your lane, you should want to be in the two-second cushion. Pick out a stationary object ahead of the car in front of you. That may be a white line across the road, a shadow of an overpass, or a parked car on the shoulder. Pick out something that enables you to start counting when the lead vehicle passes that spot. One-thousand one, one-thousand two, if you are not at the spot that the car ahead of you was when you started counting, then you are a reasonable distance behind him. If you have passed that spot before you say "one-thousand two" you are too close. Now what do you do? You can take your foot off the gas and slow down until you are a safe distance or you may change lanes if it is safe.

Now, there are times that two seconds is not enough. The two-second rule is a minimum. Additional seconds need to be added for darkness, bad weather, towing, vehicles following too closely, etc. This is in the short or close range environment scanning for immediate hazards. Drivers should also be looking at least 10 seconds ahead of their vehicles to become aware of the medium distance potential hazards. You need to always try to keep a safe area around you. Keep from getting boxed in and not having a way out if someone presents a hazard. The law does not leave any good reason for hitting another vehicle in the rear. F.S. 316.0895 (1) "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having the regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon, and the conditions of, the highway."²

Stopping distance in relationship to speed

We must accept the fact that the faster we go, the further it will take us to stop. Several things must be considered to determine the stopping distance.

The above graph indicates the reaction (red) and braking (gold) distance for the total braking distance at various speeds.

Your mental and physical condition is very important.

Of course, age, use of drugs, and physical fatigue will all affect your ability to react to a potential hazard, sometimes called perception and reaction time. Reaction time in daily driving can be as high as 1.5 seconds with various driving distractions.

The vehicle is another important factor to be considered in the stopping distance. Vehicles must have brakes that meet certain standards. We have even developed alternative braking systems such as Anti-locking Braking Systems (ABS).

The road and weather conditions all must be considered. As we discussed in another section of the manual, friction is the most important factor in stopping a vehicle.

When you are forced to stop, three things must happen. You must perceive the hazard or warning; react; and use your brakes to stop.

The length of time you take to identify, predict, and decide to slow for a hazard is called your perception time. You cannot consistently estimate your perception time because your ability to perceive will change from time to time. By scanning and maintaining the proper spacing method that we discussed earlier, you allow yourself more reaction time.

Once you know a hazard will be a problem, the length of time you take to execute your actions is your reaction time. An average driver's reaction time is ¾ of a second, in clinical laboratory settings. If you are impaired due to alcohol, drugs or fatigue, your reaction time will increase; thus the time to stop and distance that your car travels will also increase.

The distance your vehicle travels from the time you apply the brakes until your vehicle stops is called braking distance. These distances will change depending on your ability at the time, your vehicle conditions, and the conditions of the road. Estimating stopping distance can be hard so it is always better to utilize the two second rule. This rule enables you to project your approximate stopping distance under ideal conditions at any speed.

Don't forget, the higher the speed, the longer the braking distance. At higher speeds, you will have a harder time controlling your vehicle. A vehicle with worn tires or bad brakes needs a longer distance to stop. If the brakes on one side of your car are worn or out of adjustment, your vehicle will pull to one side in a stop. If you panic and slam on your brakes you might lose control of your car in an emergency situation. Remember wet road surfaces will reduce traction on the road and increase your braking distance.

Environmental hazards, rain, slick roads, standing water and fog

We drive in environmental conditions each time we make a trip. Understanding better how to handle changing conditions will make the trip more enjoyable and safer. Dealing with too much light, such as the sun in your eyes, may be handled by wearing good sunglasses or properly using the sun visor. Remember always have the lower edge of the sun visor pushed toward the windshield.

Night driving brings on adjustments that you must deal with successfully. Aside from reducing detail, darkness conceals hazards: pedestrians, bicycles, stalled cars, curves and other objects or conditions. You must make a decision on the basis of a sketchy and incomplete picture. It is more difficult to judge the speed and position of other vehicles. You must depend largely on your headlights, which will show only a relatively short and narrow path ahead. It does not bend around corners. Usually, adequate highway lighting is limited. Glare from roadside lighting and the headlights of on-coming vehicles may impair your visibility. Keep your panel lights dim for better vision, but always have enough panel light to read your speedometer and other gauges. Reduce speed so that you can stop within the visible distance. Increase seeing distance by keeping the headlights clean and properly aimed and the windshield clean.

There are other visibility conditions we must consider to drive safe, such as fog, haze, smoke and mist that can affect our visibility greatly. Remember, Florida law requires that we turn on our low beam headlights and use our windshield wipers under such conditions. Never drive with only parking lights on. Be alert for slow moving and or stopped traffic. Check your rearview mirrors frequently for vehicles that are approaching quickly from the rear. Be especially careful for patches of fog in valleys and low-lying areas. If possible, drive slowly but keep moving. But if conditions are too bad, pull over as far to the right, off the main travel portion of the roadway as possible and stop. Leave your parking lights on and activate your hazard lights.

Driving in the rain is a hazard that we must consider. During rainy conditions when the roads are wet, we must realize our stopping distance is increased. When braking, friction between your tires and the surface of the roadway affect your stopping distance. Wet roads have less friction and increase the distance it takes you to stop. Driving through water may cause hydroplaning. The purpose of the tread on a tire is to prevent hydroplaning from happening; that is why the law requires tire treads to meet certain standards. As little as 1/16 of an inch of water can cause hydroplaning.

Hydroplaning occurs when your tires ride on a thin layer of water and do not touch the road. When the car is riding on a film of water there is no friction between your tires and the road. Hydroplaning also affects our ability to steer and brake.

Do not drive through large bodies of standing water as it can affect brake performance, the vehicle's electrical system, and cause engine failure which could result in costly repairs. If the standing water is concentrated on one portion of the road and only one side of the vehicle goes through the water the vehicle will tend to pull in that direction. The force of the pull is dependent on the depth of the water and the speed of the vehicle.

Simply put, remember, as you approach the standing water, a good habit to get into may be lifting your foot off the gas pedal and to check your rearview mirror for vehicles that may be following you too closely.

Remember:

1. Slow down before hitting the water.
2. Turn wipers on before hitting the water.
3. Tap brakes as you exit.
4. Use caution in checking outside mirrors. Rain can distort or obliterate images.
5. Do not drive through standing water if you do not know how deep it is.

Wind can also become a problem, especially when driving large vehicles, such as a truck or a motor home. Be alert for cross gusts when leaving overpasses, large buildings or other large areas where the wind is being blocked from striking your vehicle.

An ongoing problem with wind gusts is when you are being passed by large vehicles such as tractor trailers or buses traveling in the same direction. As you are traveling wind gusts from these vehicles can make your car more difficult to control. As these vehicles start to pass you, grip your steering wheel firmly. You may also want to reduce your speed a little.

Environmental Causes

Florida Traffic Crash Facts – 2004
Lighting Conditions at the Time of Crash

Lighting Conditions	All Crashes	Fatal Crashes	Injury Crashes	Property Damage
Daylight	161,487	1,290	97,669	62,528
Dusk	7,010	75	3,949	2,986
Dawn	3,344	60	1,897	1,387
Darkness	76,636	1,498	37,867	37,271
Unknown	4,425	13	1,006	3,406
Total	252,902	2,936	142,388	107,578

Road Surface Conditions at the Time of Crash³

Surface Conditions	All Crashes	Fatal Crashes	Injury Crashes	Property Damage
Dry	215,862	2,618	121,684	91,560
Wet	32,087	298	18,641	13,148
Slippery	1,383	5	885	493
Icy	67	2	32	33
Other	3,503	13	1,146	2,344
Total	252,902	2,936	142,388	107,578

Vehicle emergencies, tire failure, brake failure and loss of power steering

When you are driving, things can happen very quickly. You may only have a fraction of a second to make the right move. Here are some guidelines that may help in handling emergencies.

Brake Failure

Pump the brake pedal rapidly several times. You may be able to work up enough pressure to stop the car. If this does not work, shift into the next lower gear. As the car begins to slow down, shift again. To slow down further, apply the parking brake. You may use your left foot on the parking brake and remember to hold the release button off. While doing this, you can quickly release the parking brake for a moment. If the car begins to skid, and if the road is wet, it can develop into a problem. Remember the parking brake is a separate braking system and brakes only the two rear wheels. When brakes are over used, such as going downhill or even driving with your foot riding on the pedal, they can overheat. The best solution is to stop and let them cool off. Pull off of the highway to a safe place. Make sure there are no objects, such as a wadded floor mat, drink can, etc, that may be keeping you from being able to press the pedal down. Never try to remove the object out from under the pedal while you are driving. Remember to release the parking brake if you are going to push or tow your vehicle.

Different vehicles have different braking systems. It is important to read your owner's manual to know exactly what kind of brakes that you have so you know how to react in certain emergencies.

Breakdown

If possible, park where the disabled vehicle can be seen for 200 feet in each direction. If possible, safely move the vehicle so that all four wheels are off the pavement. Place your car in park if you have an automatic transmission. If your car is equipped with a manual transmission put your car in gear. Don't forget to engage your parking brake and turn on your emergency flashers. Get all passengers out on the side away from traffic. Raise the hood and tie a white cloth to your left door handle or radio antenna. It is safer to stay with your car than to go for help.

Dead Battery

A dead battery will prevent your car from starting. Consult your owner's manual or textbook for correct procedures for "jump-starting" a battery. Jump-starting can be dangerous if you do not have the right equipment or knowledge to perform the task. A battery can explode if jumped improperly.

Fire

Most car fires start in the engine compartment. Quickly steer the car out of traffic and off the roadway to a safe open area. Stay away from buildings and service stations. Turn off the car. Get all the passengers out and away from the car. If the fire is small and you have a portable extinguisher, you may attempt to extinguish the fire. Do not raise the hood if the fire is in the engine compartment, as air will cause it to flare up. Never apply water to a gasoline fire. If you cannot control it, get away from the vehicle due to the presence of toxic fumes and possible explosion. Make sure someone has called the fire department (911).

Flat Tire or a Blowout

When a front tire blows out, the car pulls strongly in the direction of the deflated tire. You must steer firmly against the pull of the car to keep the car on its intended path. A left front is especially dangerous. The car might pull left toward the lane of oncoming traffic. When a rear tire blows out, the back of the car can fishtail. Handle a rear blowout like a skid. Grip the steering wheel firmly and ease up on the accelerator. Avoid braking. Steer the vehicle in the direction you want the front end to go and coast into a safe location. If you are going to change the tires, check the owner's manual for the correct procedure. This maneuver should always be performed off the paved portion of the highway.

Engine Warning Light On

When the engine warning light on your dash board comes on, it may say "check your engine" or "check oil" or "hot". Stop your vehicle as soon as possible off of the roadway. Continuing to drive your vehicle may cause severe damage to the engine. Follow the instruction as shown on the dash. Remember, if it is hot; do not open the radiator until it has cooled. Check your owner's manual for proper procedures.

Flooded Engine

An engine floods when too much fuel but not enough air reaches the engine. Depress the accelerator fully for 5-10 seconds. Release the accelerator and re-start the engine. If the engine does not start within the allowed time, wait several minutes and try again.

Headlight Failure

If you find yourself suddenly without headlights, stay calm. Do not slam on your brakes. Try working the light switch and hit the dimmer switch. Some circuits might still work. Use whatever lights are available to help you drive off the roadway to a safe location. Make your vehicle seen by others. Use your directional signals and four-way flashers if they are working.

Hood Flies Up

When you are driving along and suddenly your hood flies up, brake smoothly to slow the car down. Try looking out the left side window or the gap where the hood hinges to the rest of the vehicle's body. Use your mirrors to check the rear to see how close another car may be before you brake. Turn on your turn signal and exit to a safe location off the roadway.

Jammed Gas Pedal

If you let up on the gas pedal and the engine does not slow, your accelerator pedal is probably jammed. Keep your eyes on the road. Do not tap the gas pedal with your foot as it may stick farther down and cause the car to go faster. Try to pry the pedal up with the toe of your shoe. Never try to reach down to dislodge the pedal yourself. You cannot afford to take your eyes off of the road. Shift into neutral. The engine will race faster, but the power is removed from the wheels. Follow an escape path to a safe place off of the roadway. Turn off the ignition when you are off the road and no longer need to change direction.

Power Steering Failure

A failure in the power-steering system is the most common type of steering "failure". Power steering failure occurs when the engine dies, when the power-steering fluid in the system is low or when a drive belt slips or breaks. The steering mechanism still works but you must exert much effort to steer. As soon as possible, take the vehicle to a service center to be repaired.

Right Wheels off the Pavement

Take your foot off the gas pedal. Hold the wheel firmly. The greater the drop-off between the roadway and the shoulder, the greater amount of steering control you need. Keep your car in a straight line. If possible avoid braking. Wait until the road is clear and return back on the pavement at a slow speed.

Skidding

If your car skids you need to respond quickly and calmly. A car will skid when the tires lose their grip on the pavement. Slippery surfaces combined with a sudden movement may cause you to skid. High speed, especially on curves may also lead to skidding. When you feel your car begin to skid, take your foot off the gas pedal and do not use your brakes, unless you are about to hit something. Steer the car into the direction of the skid to straighten the vehicle out. Be prepared to counter steer, then steer in the direction you wish to go. Straighten the steering wheel as soon as you are going in the correct direction. If you do not straighten in time, the car will begin to skid in the opposite direction. Begin to correct your steering as soon as you go into the skid. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to come out of the skid. All of your steering movement must be quick but smooth. Once you are going straight again, you may begin to accelerate slowly.⁴

Driving Test Questions

1. If you are impaired, it is always a good idea to make sure that your parents do not find out.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 45

2. How long will a DUI be attached to your permanent driving record?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. 75 yearsCorrect!Explanation: Page 43

3. Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors in a crash.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 6

4. Hydroplaning can occur in as little as…
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. 1/16th of an inch of water.Correct!Explanation: Page 19

5. Accelerating is not an option in executing a decision.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 16

6. A "Merging Traffic" sign means:
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. You are coming to a point where one traffic lane joins another.Correct!Explanation: Page 69

7. A steady yellow signal on a traffic light is a warning that the green signal is being terminated and the red signal is about to become active.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 65

8. How many crashes were there in Florida during the dusk in 2004?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. 7,010Correct!Explanation: Page 20

9. Friction helps in increasing gas mileage.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 9

10. Air bags are supplemental protection and designed to deploy in all crashes.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: B. FalseIncorrect!Explanation: Page 49

11. A possibility of unseen events, a car parked in a "NO PARKING ZONE", children walking on the sidewalk, and a child running on the sidewalk are all examples of what?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: C. School zone hazardsIncorrect!Explanation: Page 58

12. Using your high beams in the fog will help you see further
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation:

13. You turn on your head lights during the dawn hours not to see, but to be seen.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 31

14. What is a major factor in determining what energy the vehicle can absorb to protect the occupant?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. All of the aboveCorrect!Explanation: Page 11

15. What is the primary reason for crashes while using a cellular phone?
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: D. Talking on the phone.Incorrect!Explanation: Page 33

16. You must yield the right of way to a publicly owned transit vehicle that is traveling in the same direction and is re-entering the highway from a designated pullout bay.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 30

17. The cellular phone industry is growing at a growth rate of
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. 40%Correct!Explanation: Page 33

18. Alcohol can kill you in one sitting.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 42

19. What may not be a possible prediction of the other driver?
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. Is the driver a felon?Correct!Explanation: Page 15

20. Proper air pressure in your tires is not that important to arrive safely.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 51

21. How often was a person injured in the US in an alcohol related crash?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: C. Every two minutesIncorrect!Explanation: Page 40

22. A green traffic sign is:
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. Guide signs for directionCorrect!Explanation: Page 65

23. How soon must the pass be completed before encountering an oncoming vehicle?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: D. 200 ftIncorrect!Explanation: Page 28

24. Failure to maintain a court ordered requirement might result in points being added to your driver's license.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: B. FalseIncorrect!Explanation: Page 62

25. Cars entering from a side road should be aware of your intended move and yield the right of way.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: B. FalseIncorrect!Explanation: Page 29-30

26. The first law of motion discusses which principle?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: C. InertiaIncorrect!Explanation: Page 8

27. What should you never do in the event that your gas pedal is jammed
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. Try to reach down and dislodge it.Correct!Explanation: Page 23

28. What does the Smith system not include?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. Proper use of air bagsCorrect!Explanation: Page 13

29. To many drivers, a few miles over the speed limit is an acceptable risk.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 63

30. What is not a way that you can communicate with another driver?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. Mental telepathyCorrect!Explanation: Page 13

31. Most front impact and rear crashes cause the head to twist on the neck.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 47

32. Headlights that are aimed too high are harmless.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 51

33. What is the maximum length of time that your driver's license can be revoked for a second DUI conviction?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: A. 1 yearIncorrect!Explanation: Page 42

34. What is the BAC presumptive impairment level in the state of Florida?
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. .08Correct!Explanation: Page 41

35. If you are involved in an act of prostitution in a vehicle, your driver's license will be:
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. RevokedCorrect!Explanation: Page 61

36. What is the BAC for a driver under the age of 21 in the state of Florida charged under the Zero-Tolerence Law?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: B. .02Incorrect!Explanation: Page 41

37. A green arrow signal on a traffic light means:
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: B. You may cautiously make a turn in the direction of the arrow.Incorrect!Explanation: Page 64

38. Your child could be seriously injured or even die if the child safety seat is installed incorrectly in your vehicle.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 48

39. How much did alcohol related crashes cost the state of Florida in 2000?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. 12.6 billionCorrect!Explanation: Page 5

40. On every vertical traffic signal, the red light is on the top; the yellow is in the middle, and the green light is on the bottom.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 65

Traffic signals are placed at intersections only to keep traffic moving.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 65

2. To prevent any unnecessary injuries to small adults and the elderly they should:
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. Position their seat as far back as possible.Correct!Explanation: Page 49

3. If you are deemed incapable of operating a motor vehicle, your driver's license will be:
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: A. SuspendedIncorrect!Explanation: Page 61

4. A person can dance better after consuming alcohol.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 38

5. Reducing alcohol related claims by 17% would save how much in annual insurance claims in the state of Florida?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. 180 millionCorrect!Explanation: Page 6

6. The delayed reflex action of the eye can temporarily blind the alcohol impaired driver.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 38-39

7. Safety belts work.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 10

8. Bald tires are illegal.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: A. TrueIncorrect!Explanation: Page 19

9. If you are involved in an act of prostitution in a vehicle, your driver's license will be:
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. RevokedCorrect!Explanation: Page 61

10. The shoulder harness should always be over the shoulder and all the straps should be snug against the body.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 48

11. A driver affected by alcohol has a decreased ability to reason and make proper judgments.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 38

12. How many Alcohol related crashes were there in Florida in 2004?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. 23,013Correct!Explanation: Page 4

13. Vehicles are designed with both plastic and elastic values to absorb energy.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 11

14. Slowing down at the scene of a car crash may cause another crash.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 31

15. What is the legal drinking age in Florida?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. 21Correct!Explanation: Page 41

16. How many injuries were there in Florida in 2004?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. 227,192Correct!Explanation: Page 4

17. If an oncoming car is shinning his high beams into your eyes…
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: A. Look down to the right hand side and use the edge of the road as a guide.Incorrect!Explanation: Page 31

18. Batteries can explode.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 21

19. Weather conditions may affect your predictions.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 15

20. When you "aim high", you adjust your headlights higher.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 13

21. It is safe for a driver to rely on the airbag deployment alone to protect him against serious injury and therefore does not have to wear his seat belt.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 49

22. Forty percent of all young pedestrians fatalities occurred when?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. 3pm-7pmCorrect!Explanation: Page 26

23. What percent of total traffic fatalities did motorcyclists account for in 2004?
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: C. 9%Incorrect!Explanation: Page 25

24. According to F.S. 316.183 the maximum speed limit in a residential district is…
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: B. 30 mphIncorrect!Explanation: Page 32

25. Vehicle maintenance should be a…
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. Daily habitCorrect!Explanation: Page 50

26. Two individuals can be the same weight, sex and have consumed the same amount of alcohol and one individual may appear more impaired than the other.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. TrueCorrect!Explanation: Page 41

27. A "Right Turn" sign means that you are allowed to make a right turn at the next intersection.
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: B. FalseIncorrect!Explanation: Page 70

28. The "D" in SIPDE stands for what?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. DecideCorrect!Explanation: Page 12

29. What is the main reason for placing traffic signals at intersections?
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. Both B and C.Correct!Explanation: Page 65

30. What is not involved in making a judgment about a traffic situation?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. GuessingCorrect!Explanation: Page 15

31. A "Speed Zone Ahead" sign means:
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. You are approaching an area where a speed zone has been established.Correct!Explanation: Page 68

32. A few ways to reduce the negative effects of stress is to:
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. All the above.Correct!Explanation: Page 52

33. How much did alcohol related crashes cost the state of Florida in 2000?
Your Answer: ACorrect Answer: A. 12.6 billionCorrect!Explanation: Page 5

34. The length of time that brakes will last on a vehicle and how they will perform depends on:
Your Answer: DCorrect Answer: D. A and BCorrect!Explanation: Page 51

35. What is not considered aggressive driving?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. EatingCorrect!Explanation: Page 6

36. When traffic lights are mounted horizontally, the red light is at the right, the yellow is in the middle and the green is to the left.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!Explanation: Page 65

37. What will happen if the right rear tire has a blow out?
Your Answer: CCorrect Answer: C. The car will fishtail.Correct!Explanation: Page 21-22

38. Friction helps in increasing gas mileage.
Your Answer: BCorrect Answer: B. FalseCorrect!

Sharing the road with motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians and large trucks including visibility limitations.

Sharing the road with large vehicles

In 2004, 416,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,862 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 5,190 people died (12 percent of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2004) and an additional 116,000 were injured in those crashes.

Large trucks accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4 percent of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes. One out of eight traffic fatalities in 2004 resulted from a collision involving a large truck. Drivers of large trucks were less likely to have a previous license suspension or revocation than were passenger car drivers (7 percent and 13 percent, respectively).⁵ In 2004 medium trucks (four wheels in the back), large trucks and tractor trailers accounted for a combined 399 fatal crashes on Florida roadways.⁶

For safety's sake you must understand all traffic laws, be courteous, abide by the rules of the road and drive responsibly. Large vehicles include not only trucks but also any vehicle you have trouble seeing around. They may include buses, vans, delivery trucks, motor homes and some sport utility vehicles (SUV). There are blind spots on both sides of their vehicles just as your car has blind spots. We sometimes refer to this blind spot as the "no zone". The drivers of these vehicles must use their mirrors. As the bumper sticker says, "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you." If the large vehicle needs to swerve or change lanes for any reason, a crash with you can occur. Try not to stay in the "no zone" of either side of the large vehicle any longer than is necessary.

Another "no zone" is that large area directly behind them. Tailgating greatly increases your chances of a rear-end collision. Remember, you cannot see what the driver can see and you must rely on the brake lights of his or her vehicle. He has used up his reaction time, and now has started his braking distance.

Another "no zone" is just in front of large vehicles. When passing a bus or truck, be sure you can see the front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror before pulling in front of the vehicle.

Another "no zone" is when the vehicles are making a wide right turn. When a large vehicle needs to make a wide turn, sometimes it needs to swing wide to the left in order to safely negotiate a right turn. They cannot see you directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between the vehicle and the curb on the shoulder to the right increases the possibility of a crash.

Another "no zone" is when a truck is backing up. Sometimes a truck must block the street to maneuver its trailer accurately. Never cross behind a truck that is preparing to backup or is in the process of doing so. Remember most trailers are eight and a half feet wide and can completely hide objects that suddenly come between them and loading areas. Drivers attempting to pass behind a truck enter a blind spot for both drivers.

Sharing the Road with a Bicycle

The first automobile crash in the United States occurred in New York City in 1896, when a motor vehicle collided with a bicycle rider (Famous First Facts, by Joseph Kane).

In 2004, 119 bicyclists were killed in Florida and an additional 4,820 were injured in 5,203 crashes. Bicyclists' deaths accounted for 3.7 percent of all traffic fatalities and 2 percent of the traffic injuries in Florida for 2004.⁷

Bicyclist fatalities occurred more frequently in urban areas (66 percent), at non intersection locations (67 percent), between the hours of 5:00 PM and 9:00PM (30 percent), and during the months of June, July, and August (36 percent).

Most of the bicyclists killed or injured in 2004 were males (87% and 76%, respectively), and most were between the ages of 5 and 44 years (58% and 78%, respectively).⁸

As a driver of a large vehicle, give a bicycle extra space whenever possible. Some riders may not be able to control their bicycles well and may suddenly get in your path. Be sure to give extra space to young riders, rider who may be sick, riders that may have been drinking and older riders. As you start to pass, approach slowly and try not to frighten the rider. Before passing, be aware of the possible path the bicyclist may take. Florida law requires bicyclists to ride on the right side of the roadway. The cyclist may swerve into your path for a variety of reasons that you may not be aware of such as potholes, puddles, and storm drains. If you can predict a possible change of directions maybe you can stop in time to avoid a crash.

Always start your pass well behind the bicycle. You should have at least ½ of a lane between your car and the bicyclist. If you do not have this space, wait for a gap in the oncoming traffic and then pass. Remember: before you move over to pass, signal to the traffic behind you to let them know that you are changing lanes. You may want to warn the cyclist also by tapping your horn.

Large three wheel cycles are becoming popular in communities especially retirement areas. They provide transportation and exercise. In retirement areas, they may travel in large groups.

At night use your low beam headlights. Avoid shining your high beam headlights into riders' eyes.

Remember, when parallel parking, check for bicycles and cars before opening the driver's side door.

Sharing the Road with a Motorcycle

In 2004, 4,008 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 76,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States - 8 percent more than the 3,714 motorcyclist fatalities and 14 percent more than the 67,000 motorcyclist injuries reported in 2003.

Motorcycles made up more than 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2003 and accounted for only 0.3 percent of all vehicle miles traveled.

In 2004, motorcyclists accounted for 9 percent of total traffic fatalities, 11 percent of all occupant fatalities, and 3 percent of all occupants injured.

Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 2004, 26 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with a fixed object, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 12 percent for light trucks, and 4 percent for large trucks.⁹

Motorcyclists' actions that can affect you are numerous. A rider must operate separate brakes for front and rear wheels just to stop. In addition, the rider must coordinate foot and hand brakes carefully for maximum braking. If the front brake is applied independently, it can lock the front wheel and cause a loss of control. This may result in crashes with other road users.

The motorcycle rider must coordinate the hand throttle, hand clutch and foot gear shift lever to accelerate smoothly. If this action is not performed smoothly, a balance problem may occur. The problem is magnified when a vehicle is following too closely.

Following a motorcycle or a motorcycle following you may cause a problem. You should continuously check your rearview mirror and be aware of motorcycles following you. When a motorcycle is following you try not to make any sudden stops.

Weather and road conditions present greater problems to the motorcyclist than to the driver of a motor vehicle. Allow extra space for motorcycles in all adverse conditions.

A motorcyclist can not cope with adverse weather conditions as well as you can. For example a puddle may hide a pot hole that jolts your car. That same hidden hole can throw a motorcycle out of control.

Just as for you, the worst time for a motorcyclist is immediately after it starts to rain. As rain mixes with dirt and oil on the road, traction is greatly reduced. Since balance is important for motorcycles, reduced traction is far more critical to a motorcyclist's control.

When you are following a motorcyclist that is crossing railroad tracks or carrying passengers use extra caution. Railroad tracks may present a special problem due to the fact that the motorcycle tires can get caught in the grooves of the crossing which could result in the rider losing balance. You should predict that the rider might lose balance and /or control at a railroad crossing.

For motorcycle licensing and training, if under the age of 21, by Section 322.0255, you are required to attend and complete a Florida Motorcycle Safety Education program prior to getting an endorsement. The training is a 15-hour program held by private businesses throughout the state. For motorcycle licenses you must take all tests and meet all requirements of a Class E license prior to being issued a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle-only license.

Sharing the Road with Pedestrians

In 2004, 4,641 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States - a decrease of 15 percent from the 5,489 pedestrians killed in 1994. Of the 4,641 pedestrians killed 504 were in Florida. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes. There were 68,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2004. On average, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes.

In 2004, almost one-fifth (19 percent) of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 years who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. In addition, children under 15 years old accounted for 8 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. These young pedestrians accounted for 7 percent or 20,000 of the total pedestrians injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2004.

Older pedestrians (ages 70+) accounted for 15 percent of all pedestrian fatalities and 6 percent of all pedestrians injured. The death rate for this group, both males and females, was 2.86 per 100,000; this was higher than any other age group.

During 2004, 40 percent of the young pedestrian fatalities occurred between the hours of 3 PM and 7 PM, and 49 percent occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Of all the highway users, pedestrians are the most vulnerable. It is the special responsibility of the driver to watch for and protect pedestrians.¹⁰

Many pedestrians who do not drive are not fully aware of all the traffic laws and signals. Many do not know the distance needed to stop a moving vehicle. Children and the elderly are most at risk. Children can act impulsively and may run into traffic without thinking. The elderly may take longer to cross the street. They may not be able to see or hear well and may be unaware of possible dangers. Never assume that pedestrians will move out of the way. In some situations you may have to stop to allow a pedestrian to cross safely. Try to let them know you are there by utilizing a tap on your horn or a hand wave.

Many pedestrians assume that drivers will yield the right of way to anyone in the crosswalk. When they cross at an intersection with a green light, a pedestrian may not even look for oncoming traffic.

Pedestrians waiting to cross the street often stand in the street instead of on the curb. They may even dash across the street without warning. During a rain storm, many pedestrians are more concerned about protection from the weather and may pay little attention to moving traffic.

Be alert for pedestrians at night, even in well lighted areas. It is often difficult to identify pedestrians in this condition.

A problem to be aware of is when leaving an alley or driveway. Always stop before crossing the sidewalk and look for pedestrians. You may tap your horn as a warning. Remember, once across the sidewalk, be prepared to yield the right of way to other traffic on the street.

Although a jogger is safer using a sidewalk or jogging path, you may encounter joggers on the street. A jogger who is coming toward you should see you; however a jogger whose back is towards you may not hear you coming. Also be aware of joggers who may be wearing music headsets.

The moment you step from your vehicle, you are a pedestrian. The knowledge that you have about driving makes you more aware of possible problems and conflicts with pedestrians.

Sharing the Road with a Blind Person

The primary traveling aids for a person who is blind are often a white cane and/or a trained guide dog. Independent travel involves some risk that can be greatly reduced when you, the driver, are aware of the use and meaning of a white cane or guide dog.

Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to persons who are blind. When a pedestrian is crossing a street guided by a dog or carrying a cane or walking stick that is white in color or white tipped with red in a raised or in an extended position, the vehicle must come to a complete stop.

Traffic regulations to assist mobility impaired persons

Whenever a pedestrian that is mobility impaired (using a wheelchair, crutches, cane or walker) is in the cross walk, it is the drivers responsibility to stop at the intersection to allow the pedestrian to cross safely and allow for any necessary precautions. Once the pedestrian has crossed safely, the driver may proceed with caution.

Dealing with stress

Stress is the reaction of our bodies and minds to anything that upsets the regular balance. Stress can occur when bad things, as well as good things occur. External events and situations that are painful typically cause stress which leaves you feeling out of control. Pushing your body too hard at work or at play will soon deplete your body of the energy it needs to restore itself and results in you becoming stressed. Often people feel the effects of emotional disorders such as anxiety and sleep disturbances.

Aggressive driving by yourself or others can lead to stress. Eliminating stress from your life is impossible; however, implementing some stress management techniques can subdue some of its harmful effects. There are many ways to keep all the negative effects of different stresses to a minimum, including:

• Take time for you to relax each day.
• Learn to "let go" of things that are outside your control.
• Learn to adapt to changes.
• Learn to take action when you can make a difference.
• Give your time to something or someone you believe in.

Dealing with fatigue

NHTSA data indicates that in recent years there have been about 56,000 crashes in the US annually in which driver drowsiness or fatigue was cited by the police. Annually, an average of roughly 40,000 nonfatal injuries and 1,550 fatalities resulted from these crashes. Sleep is a neurobiological need with predictable sleepiness and wakefulness.

The loss of one night's sleep can lead to extreme-term sleepiness, while habitually restricting sleep by 1 to 2 hours a night can lead to chronic sleepiness. Sleeping is the only way to reduce sleepiness. Sleepiness causes auto crashes because it impairs performance and it can ultimately lead to the inability to resist falling asleep at the wheel. Critical aspects of driving impairment associated with sleepiness are reaction time, vigilance, attention and information processing.

Subjective and objective tools are available to approximate or detect sleepiness. However, unlike the situation with alcohol-related crashes, no blood, breath or other measurable test is currently available to quantify level of sleepiness at the crash site. Although current understanding largely comes from inferential evidence, a typical crash related to sleepiness has the following characteristics:

• The problem occurs during late night/early morning or late afternoon.
• The crash is likely to be serious.
• The crash involves a single vehicle on the roadway.
• The crash occurs on a high-speed road.
• The driver does not attempt to avoid the crash.
• The driver is alone in the vehicle.

Although evidence is limited or inferential, certain chronic, predisposing factors and acute situational factors are recognized as increasing the risk of drowsy driving and related crashes. These factors include:

• Sleep loss.
• Driving patterns, including driving between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Driving a substantial number of miles each year and/or a substantial number of hours each day.
• Driving in the late afternoon hours and driving for longer times without taking a break.
• Use of sedating medications, especially prescribed anxiolytic, tricyclic antidepressants and some antihistamines.
• Consumption of alcohol, which interacts with and adds to drowsiness.

Helpful behaviors include:

• Plan to get sufficient sleep.
• Do not drink even small amounts of alcohol when sleepy.
• Limit driving between midnight and 6 a.m.
• As soon as you become sleepy, stop.
• Take a short nap (15 to 20 minutes)
• Let a passenger drive.¹

Dealing with emotional distress

Emotion is a word used to identify a strong feeling such as anger, fear and joy. Emotions influence the way you think and act. When emotions affect your thoughts and actions, they can change the way you normally assess risk and make driving decisions.

Strong emotions can interfere with your ability to think and reason. When strong emotions affect you, your ability to make wise decisions is reduced and your chances of making a mistake increases. This may be a reason for road rage. The effect that an emotion has on your ability to drive depends upon the strength of the emotion and effort that you make to resist its effects. Emotions can affect the way you judge the risks involved in a driving situation. A strong emotion can cause you to fix your attention on one event which could cause you to miss another important event in another driving situation. One emotion could lead to another which could result in you experiencing several strong emotions in a short period of time.

Strong emotions can also cause changes in your bodily functions. Your body prepares itself for stressful events by making your heart pump faster and your palms may become sweaty. You can expect some emotional stress in your everyday driving.

If you are angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off. If necessary take a short walk, but stay off the road until you have calmed down.

If you are worried, depressed or upset about something, try to keep your mind on your driving. Try to find something to listen to on the radio.

Emotions influence the way you think and act. When emotions affect your thoughts and actions, they can change the way you normally assess risk and make driving decisions.

When strong emotions affect you, your ability to make wise decisions is reduced. Your chances of making a mistake increase.

If you are impatient, give yourself extra time for your driving trip. Leave a few minutes early. If you have plenty of time, you tend not to speed or do other things that can get you a traffic ticket or cause a crash.

Don't be impatient if a train crosses in front of you. Wait instead. Driving around lowered gates or trying to beat the train can be fatal. Don't become impatient with a slower driver ahead of you.

DEALING WITH DISTRACTIONS

There are many distracting factors that compete for the driver's attention. It is important that good habits be developed so there can be safe movement through a traffic situation. Distraction from the driving task is caused by:

• Thinking of things other than driving.
• Talking on a cell phone.
• Having "distracters" which require the driver's attention in the vehicle.
• Situations outside the vehicle that attract the operator's attention.
• Environmental factors.
• Vehicle factors.
• Route problems in unfamiliar areas
• Seeing one potential collision hazard in the traffic scene while failing to see another.²

Appropriate attitude

CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES

Safe driving involves both mental and physical exercise. I believe if we are to be safe on our highways, we need to look at both. First let us look at mental exercise. Attitude is the way we look at a situation and how it affects us.

What effect did getting a ticket have on you? Are you angry? If you are, at whom? Perhaps you are even seeking to place the blame on someone else or trying to make some excuse for your actions. If you think your receiving a ticket was unjust or unfair, there is a court of law that will make that decision. However, you have chosen this driver improvement course as a way to resolve this action. Now assume your place of responsibility and go forward. Can we say you have given yourself a lemon? Now what are you going to do about it? Are you going to be sour, or are you going to make lemonade? What do you think is the difference between Helen Keller and someone you might know who is deaf and blind? My answer is attitude. Please understand that life is exciting and fun, but not always fair. Who promised you a rose garden? I think if you can rise above the little things in life, and a traffic ticket is definitely a little thing, then you can rise above bigger things. Obeying the law is the right and fair thing to do. Treating others the way you want to be treated. Is that too much to ask? Would you get upset if the team playing your favorite team was playing unfairly and was not abiding by the rules? Seeing what we can get away with may seem like the American way today, but I am sure the people who died on Florida's roadways last year would not think so. I think if nothing else than just human decency, would this not motivate us to do what is right and fair. Let us be fair to ourselves, our family, and fellow travelers on our highway. Do you expect others to obey the law? Of course you do. Why then should another not expect the same of us?

We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. Ultimately, we are in charge of our attitudes.³

Responsibiility

The purpose of this exercise is to determine the responsibility of Mr. Driver. Did you notice that the heading on this page is spelled incorrectly? Did you notice the extra "i"? This was done intentionally to prove a point. The point is that most of us have taken the "I" out of responsibility. This is common in today's culture. When the objective is to find the closest person or circumstances to pass the buck to so we can be excused. We do it every day. Taking the "I" out of responsibility in our driving can lead to serious problems, such as crashes that result in serious injury or death. We need to realize that our responsibility, along with courtesy and common sense, has been dismissed for the sake of convenience. The best way to prevent a problem is to correct an attitude. And this is, after all, the Lowest Price Traffic School, right?

Let us describe the situation for you. Any-town Elementary School is on the west side of a two-lane road with 12 foot lanes separated by a broken yellow line. The school, complete with parking lot, is surrounded by an open field on its side of the road, and woods on the opposite side. 1,000 feet south of the school on the other side of the road is a sign with a blinking light. The sign indicates that the area in question is a school zone with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour when the light is blinking. Two girls are walking south, away from the school, on the sidewalk on the west side of the road. A boy is running after them. The distance from the sidewalk to the school is 50 feet. Across from the school, a blue car is parked on the shoulder of the road, directly in front of a "No Parking" sign. A red car is stopped in the northbound lane, with skid marks leading up to the car. The skid marks indicate that the car was moving at 20 mph when the driver slammed on the brakes. A girl's body is lying in front of the red car (Not shown on the diagram).

School Zone hours: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
School Dismisses: 2:30 pm
Crash Occurs: 2:35 pm
Mrs. Ima Mother vs. Mr. Jay Walker Driver
How much is Mr. Driver responsible?

100% 75% 50% 25% 0%

Mrs. Mother's Statement

"This happened on Mary's 11th birthday. We had planned a birthday party at the local water park. We live about 18 miles from the school. It takes about an hour and a half for Mary to get home by riding the school bus. If she had to ride the bus, then we would have to travel about 45 minutes to get back to the water park. We could save a lot of fun time if I just picked her up from school. That morning, I took Mary to the school and parked across the street in front of the school. The parking lot is a very dangerous place, since all of the vehicles must use it, like the buses, teachers, parents, and the like. Besides, if I stopped out front I could watch her go into the school. As I dropped Mary off I gave her a note for her teacher telling her about our plans, and to call me if there was a problem. As Mary got out of the car, I told her not to run and to look both ways before she crossed the street. She did look both ways and she did not run. I saw her go into the school. Not hearing from the teacher all day, I assumed I could pick her up as planned. I arrived at the school around 2:35 P.M. after stopping to get ice for the party. As I stopped, I saw Mary standing just outside of the door of the school. We waved and she started walking toward the car. After watching her for a few seconds, I looked to see if there was any traffic coming. There was a car heading in our direction, but it did not look like it was going very fast. I watched it for a few seconds and then turned back to Mary. She was running by that time, so I again glanced at the car. It was much closer now. Several things ran through my mind. I decided in a moment to blow the horn, but before I could, I heard the squealing of tires, and a thud. I looked; saw the car now stopped, and Mary, lifeless on the pavement.

Mr. Driver's statement

I am familiar with the school zone, as I go through the area several times a week on my way home. I know what time school lets out and when there are children on the road. Today, I got off work early and was on my way home since it was a nice day. I decided to mow the yard. As I came to the school zone I slowed to the 20 mph limit. There were some children on the sidewalk coming toward me, and I could see a blue car on the east side of the road in front of the "No Parking" sign. I looked over at a boy running toward a couple of girls walking down the sidewalk. As I looked to the road again, I saw a little girl run out ahead of me. I slammed on the brakes, but could not stop in time. Everything in my car is in good working order and I was feeling fine up until the crash.

In your opinion, by expressing in percentage:

WHAT IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY?
WHAT IS THE MOTHER'S RESPONSIBILITY?
WHAT IS THE CHILD'S REPONSIBILITY?

Mother's Responsibility - 100%

1. The Mother was illegally parked both in the morning and in the afternoon. Both times, she should have been in the parking lot.
2. The Mother arrived at the school after classes had been dismissed. Not only did this take away the Mother's opportunity to cross the road with her child, but it increased the likelihood of the child becoming impatient and running instead of walking.
3. The Mother was aware of the vehicle while it was still at a distance, and failed to warn the child of it until it was too late.

Child's Responsibility - 100%

1. The child should have followed her mother's instructions to walk and not run.
2. The child should have been aware of the approaching vehicle.

Driver's Responsibility - 100%

1. Seeing the first two girls should have slowed the driver down. Always plan for children to do the unexpected.
2. Seeing the running boy should have put the driver on full alert. The boy may have run into the street himself or caused the girls to run into the street.
3. Seeing that the children were on the sidewalk, he should have deduced that school was out. Also, seeing an improperly parked car, he should have prepared himself for the eventuality that a child could run to or from the car or that the car could pull out in front of him.

How Much Are We Responsible? 100%?

1. In most crashes with two or more drivers, we both contribute. It is possible that they did not contribute equal amounts, but they are both responsible. One or both may or may not have violated the law. Contributing to a crash and violating the law may be two different things.
2. Just because one party does an unsafe act does not mean we are not responsible for our own actions in an attempt to avoid the collision.
3. We are responsible to have our car under control at all times.
4. If someone runs a red light in front of us, we are not justified to strike them.
5. In a way, we are our brothers' keepers.

Responsibility is not a pie that can be sliced up, a portion for each. Responsibility is like air, there's more than enough for each of the characters - the mother, the daughter, and the driver all could have prevented this tragedy from occurring regardless of the behavior of the other characters.

F.S. 316.183 (1) states that "No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance or object on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care."

As we drive, we must be able to identify possible problems ahead of us. The law calls for us to drive having regard for the actual and potential hazards in existence.

What were some of the potential hazards in the school demonstration?

1. School Zone - A reduction in the lawful speed limit.
2. Children walking on the sidewalk.
3. A child running on the sidewalk.
4. A car parked in the "No Parking Zone".
5. A person sitting in a parked car.
6. A parking lot, with vehicles entering and exiting.
6. Possibility of unseen events - a child petting a dog in front of a parked car.

Speed Adjustments

The fact that the speed of a vehicle is lower than the prescribed limits shall not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection. When approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, when special hazards exist or may exist with respect to pedestrians, other traffic, or by reason of weather or other roadway conditions. The speed shall be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the street in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

Speeding may not be a direct cause of a lot of crashes, but it does take its share. Why do we put so much emphasis on speed? Because when speed is involved, everything is more serious. Ask yourself, "Why do I speed?" Some typical answers are: late for work, late getting home, late for an appointment or no reason at all! We are trying to run the clock back. Before we speed, maybe we should ask ourselves, "What will we gain by speeding?" Are we trying to save time? Let's take a look at that for a minute. You have a twenty-mile trip to make. If you go the speed limit, which is 55 miles per hour, it will take you approximately 21 minutes and 48 seconds. However, you are late, so you are going to travel at 75 miles per hour, so that will only take you approximately 15 minutes and 59 seconds. That is a saving of 5 minutes and 49 seconds. You are stopped by a highway patrolman and it takes him 10 minutes to write the ticket. Time taken to sign up for class, which even by the phone takes 5 minutes. Time taken to complete this course (4 hours). What happens if another vehicle stops in front of you and you are going too fast to stop or something happens to your car? You really are going to be late and who knows, the death rate in Florida may go up one more number. We didn't even mention the money you spent on your citation; paying for this course or the money you lost by not showing up at work.

I remember when my wife and I were going to the west-coast. She was asleep (or at least, that's what I thought) when we were west of Okeechobee on State Road 70. I let my speed get up above 60 miles an hour, when, all of a sudden, she hit me with a pillow. I said, "What are you doing?" and she replied, "Slow down! I don't want to give any of my money to Okeechobee County. I said "What do you mean?" She replied "I may want another pair of shoes." Now my wife already has seven pairs of shoes. I was asking myself, "What in the world does she want with another pair of shoes?" What she was telling me was that when we pay a traffic fine, we have bought something that we cannot wear or eat. I guess that really is a waste of money. If you had the money back that you spent for this ticket, what would you do with it?

Staying out of dangerous situations is a full time job. The time that you spend traveling on our highways is not the time to be talking on the phone, combing your hair, shaving, or even having breakfast. Have you ever had a cup of coffee in one hand, sausage biscuit in the other and were driving with only your leg? That is a prime example of doing too much, putting yourself and others at risk.