SEVEN STAR

Little things can kill you and little things can keep you alive on the road. What are those
little things?

The little things that may kill you on the road are as follows:1. Not putting on seat belts.
2. going beyond speed mention
3. With high beam lights on during the night.
4. Use of cellphones while driving.
5. Smoking while driving
6. Checking mirrors for makeup while driving
7. Road rage
8. Aggressive driving
9. Driving during bad health conditions
10. Not checking blind spots and mirrors while changing lane and taking turns.
11. Drink and drive

The little things that may keep you alive on the road are as follows:1. Always wear seat belt while driving or as a passenger.
2. Always try to maintain the speed limit as shown on the road signs.
3. Use only low beam headlights.
4. Never use cellphones while driving.
5. Never Smoke while driving
6. Do not check mirrors for makeup while driving
7. Dont be a part of Road rage
8. Dont be an aggressive driver
9. Always make sure your that your health conditions are good to drive vehicle.
10. Always check blind spots and mirrors while changing lane and taking turns.
11. Never mix drinking and driving together.

SEVEN STAR

What is road rage? What factors cause road rage? What can you do to prevent it?

Road Rage : Its a known fact for many years that when we are behind a wheel, we feel in
control of not only the car but of the road that we drive on.
In doing so, this is our first fatal error, which leads to bad driving and irritant fellow
drivers and even, in the worst cases, angry drivers that we hear about in the newspaper
who are commonly referred to as ROAD RAGE. We do not own the road. We share the
road
Factors of road rage are as follows:1. Tailgating
2. Changing lanes without using signals or signalling late
3. Speeding
4. Honking at drivers
5. Rude gestures, like the finger
6. Cutting drivers and then suddenly slowing down
7. Pulling up in front of someone and then taking too long to get up to speed
8. Weaving in and out of lanes
9. Blocking the intersection or hogging the lane
10. Playing the radio too loud with the windows rolled down

Factors of road rage are as follows:1. Never do Tailgating

2. Never change the lanes without using signals or signalling late
3. Dont over speed
4. Dont honk at drivers
5. Dont show rude gestures, like the finger
6. Dont do things such as cutting drivers and then suddenly slowing down
7. Dont pull up in front of someone and then taking too long to get up to speed
8. Dont weave in and out of lanes
9. Dont block the intersection or hogging the lane
10. Dont play the radio too loud with the windows rolled down

SEVEN STAR

If BAC (blood alcohol concentration) does not depend on what you drink, and then what
does it depend on?
Know your limit Exercise: Mr A (125 lbs) goes to a party at 8 pm, has 2 drinks the
first hour, 1 drink the second hour, 1 drink the third hour, 2 drinks the fourth hour and 1
for the road. Calculate his BAC at 2 am and 10 am.
Body weight
45 kg or 100 lbs
56 kg or 125 lbs
68 kg or 150 lbs
79 kg or 175 lbs
90 kg or 200 lbs
102 kg or 225 lbs
113 kg or 250 lbs

BAC per drink

43
34
29
25
22
19
17

SEVEN STAR

What is the relationship between vehicle, driving and environment?

What can you do to reduce the impact of driving on the environment for future
generations?
There is a strong relationship among vehicle driving and environment. To drive a vehicle,
we need fuel. In engine, the mixture of fuel and air enters the engine cylinder and gets
burn to produce the power. After the burning of fuel, the burnt mixture gets exhausted in
the atmosphere. These exhausted gas contain various type of gases such as poisonous gas
CO, greenhouse gases CO2, CH4, H2O etc., and acidic gases like SO2 and NO.
Effect of CO on environment: - Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream and reduces
oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues. The health threat from exposure to CO
is most serious for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease. Healthy individuals are
also affected, but only at higher levels of exposure. Exposure to elevated CO levels is
associated with visual impairment, reduced work capacity, and reduced manual dexterity,
poor learning ability, and difficulty in performing complex tasks. EPA's health-based
national air quality standard for CO is 9 parts per million (ppm) measured as an annual
second-maximum 8-hour average concentration.
Effect of Greenhouse gases: - They build up in the atmosphere and warm the climate,
leading to many other changes around the worldin the atmosphere, on land, and in the
oceans.
Effect of Acidic gases: - These types of gases are responsible for acid rain. It means rain
that is acidic in nature due to the presence of certain pollutants in the air due to cars. Acid
rain can occur in form of rain, snow, fog or dry material that settle to earth.
There are many ways by which we can reduce the environmental effect of driving on
environment.
1. We should avoid idling. Idling burns fuel which we can save by turning engine
OFF.
2. We should maintain proper tyre pressure.
3. Regularly changing the filters.
4. We should consolidate trip to avoid subsequent trips
5. Consider walk for a shorter distance
6. Use public transport whenever possible.

SEVEN STAR

What is the difference between stopping distance and following distance?

Do not forget to explain perception, reaction and braking time.

Stopping Distance is the summation of distraction time, perception time, reaction time
and breaking time.
I.e SD = DPRB
Following distance is the summation of Distraction time, Perception time and Reaction
Time
I.e FD = DPR
Perception Time:- Eyes take pictures and send to brain. Brain based on knowledge and
experience, take a decision and send order to foot or hands to do something. Time brain
needs to do this is perception time. Average persons average perception time is
seconds. Faster you go more information flood in your brain, therefore brain slows down
so your perception time will be more.
Reaction Time :- ReactionTime is the time driver needs to move foot from one pedal to
other pedal( from gas to brake or from brake to gas ). Average persons average reaction
time is seconds.
If you are tired, impaired or sleepy, your reaction time will be more.
BrakingTime :- Breaking time is the time you need to stop after you hit the brake.
Average braking distance in the city at 50 km/hr is 2 seconds.Faster you go more will be
the braking distance.

SEVEN STAR

Momentum is your friend and traction is your enemy.

Explain in details.
I do not agree with the above statement. In case of safe driving the traction is friend and
momentum is enemy. The reasoning has been explained below.
Momentum:- As per the scientific definition of momentum, the momentum is equal to
the product of Weight or Mass of object and velocity of object by which is the moving.
I.e M = m x v ; m = mass and v = velocity
Force of impact is the amount of force with which something hits something else. In
other words it is the amount of force that the object is acted upon. It is the force that
something hits or is hit with.
Time of impact is the time that it takes something experience the force of impact.
Driving and impulse:
If two cars with different masses crash head on into each other at
identical speeds, the car with less mass will probably suffer more damage than the car
with more mass. The car with the smaller mass is unable to withstand the impact of the
car with the greater mass because the car with more mass has more momentum.
Momentum is mass times velocity
For example, when you have a large truck and a small car traveling at the same speed the
large truck is harder to stop because it has a bigger mass, and therefore a bigger
momentum. Both vehicles are going at the same speed but the truck has the bigger mass.
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Velocity is the speed together with direction of
motion. Impulse is a change is momentum.
Traction:- Traction is the reactive force in the direction to the force applied There are
different kinds of traction. For instance, there's one kind of traction when we brake,
another when we accelerate, and still another when we turn.
Traction control deals specifically with lateral (front-to-back) loss of friction during
acceleration. In other words, when your car accelerates from a dead stop, or speeds up
while passing another vehicle, traction control works to ensure maximum contact
between the road surface and your tires, even under less-than-ideal road conditions. For
example, a wet or icy road surface will significantly reduce the friction (traction) between
your tires and the pavement. And since your tires are the only part of your car that
actually touches the ground, any resulting loss of friction can have serious consequences.
Since traction if important in driving to take turn, stop and to apply brakes, it the essential
part of driving whereas the momentum kills and as the weight of vehicle is constant the
only way to reduce is by driving under safe limits and keeping safe distance between the
vehicle.

SEVEN STAR
Accurate risk-perception is also a kind of responsible driving. True or false?
What are the factors which affect risk-perception?

I agree with the statement that Accurate risk-perception is also a kind of responsible
driving. Defensive driving is also accurate perception of personal limits, abilities and
risk tolerance
Accurate risk-perception contributes to safe driving behaviour.
Different types of drivers
Dangerous driving
Aggressive driving
Street racing
Consequences (personal, social, legal, economic)
Personal risk-tolerance
Caution versus risk
Judging risks in various situations
Role of over-confidence and under-confidence in inaccurate risk-perception
Accurate risk perception
Quick and effective reaction times
Proactive versus reactive driving action
Expectations of other road-users
Consequences of not doing what other road-users expect
Safe time margins
Factors that affect driver risk-perception
Driver age
Experience
Driving environment
Mental factors
o self-esteem, aggression
o frustration, impatience
o feelings of power
o overconfidence
o awareness of consequences
Physical factors
Role of self-control
Need for peer approval
Perception of other drivers
Impairment

SEVEN STAR
Distracted driving causes at least 1 out of 3 collisions.
Make a list of at least 20 distractions and circle the top 5 which cause collisions.

The list of 20 distractions is as follows:

1. Using cell phones while driving
2. Smoking while driving
3. Eating food
4. Drinking alcohol
5. Taking eyes off road to search something.
6. Listening loud music
7. Changing music too frequently.
8. Driving a noisy vehicle.
9. Thinking about something else while driving
10. Work Stress
11. Road rage
12. Talking to passengers.
13. Wipers not running smoothly in rainy season.
14. Applying make-up
15. Driving for long time without taking break
16. Health condition is not good
17. AC / heaters are not working properly during summer and winter season resp.
18. Wearing uncomfortable footware and clothes while driving.
19. Breaks are weak.
20. Wheels are not balanced align.

SEVEN STAR

Make a list of all the collision factors for new drivers and provide solutions for each
factor.

List of collision factors

Solutions for collision factors

Drink and drive

Never combine drinking with driving

Over speeding

Always maintain the speed limit as per the

road sign

Tailgating

Never tailgate someone.

Maintain less space than desired

Always maintain the space between the

vehicle

Not stopping at STOP sign

Always stop at STOP sign

Not signalling while taking turns and

changing lanes

Always signals while taking turns and

changing lanes

Not looking at mirrors and blind spots

before turns and changing lanes

Always look into the mirrors and check

blind spots before changing lanes and
turning
Never use cell phone while driving

Using cell phones while driving

Improper health condition

Never drive a vehicle when health

condition doesnt permit

Smoking while driving

Do not smoke while driving

SEVEN STAR
All collisions are preventable.
What can and will you do to make the roads safer?

The things that I will do prevent collisions are as follows:1. I will not use cell phones while driving
2. I will not smoking while driving
3. I will not eat food while driving
4. I will never Drink and drive together.
5. I will never speed up than the limit mentioned
6. I will not tailgate someone.
7. I will keep proper distance between the vehicle
8. I will calm down from my stress before driving.
9. I will follow the STOP sign and signals
10. I will always signal before taking turns and changing lanes.
11. I will check the vehicle condition before driving.
12. I will not drive if my health doesnt permit me to do so.

Give your definition of Defensive Driving and explain what will you do to be a
defensive driver and how will you promote defensive driving to your loved ones?

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SEVEN STAR

11

Defensive Driving is a technique to expect the unexpected like collisions or bad

weather and how to avoid such things. Defensive Driving is a combination of visibility,
space, communication.
Visibility
Visibility in this case refers to the awareness of your fellow drivers and road users and
their awareness of you. When the driver is more aware of his/her surroundings, theyre
able to anticipate dangerous situations and respond accordingly to prevent them.
A good defensive driver checks the mirror every five seconds or so, scanning the traffic
behind them as well as constantly scanning the roads ahead and behind them. The driver
also needs to ensure that their fellow drivers can see them and that their intentions are
clear by using signal lights and staying out of ones blind spot.
Space
The key to the safety of the driver is allowing for space between the vehicles, not only in
front and behind, but on both sides of the lane. Generally, the greatest risk of a collision
is in front of the driver. Therefore leaving a cushion of space ahead gives the driver time
and space to avoid an accident.
Communication
A driver should courteously communicate with other road users for mutual safety.
Whenever necessary, they should make eye contact with other drivers, pedestrians,
cyclists...
This is especially important when the driver wants to turn or change lanes, or stop or
proceed at an intersection. Although not encouraged, if one needs to, one can use their
horn to attract a persons attention.
I will definitely promote the defensive driving by educating my friends and family about
the benefits of it. I will suggest all my young friends to opt the defensive driving course
which will reduce the probability of collision and increase awareness about the skills to
avoid unexpected conditions.

Which situation is more dangerous: a truck following you too closely or you driving
behind the big truck which is blocking your view ahead? Explain.

SEVEN STAR

12

Both the situations are dangerous. However, I my opinion the situation where the big
truck is following too closely is more dangerous.

Situation 1: When the truck is following you too closely

The big truck in comparison to a small car is having more weight and velocity almost
equals to the car as the truck is following too closely. Now as per the law of momentum
we know that the
Momentum = weight x velocity
So lets consider the mass, velocity and momentum of car as w1, v1, and M1 resp. and
that of big truck is w2, v2 and M2resp.
Now as the velocities are same ( that is v1=v2) the momentum is now the function of
mass.
Hence the momentum of truck will be more than that of car.
Now in the condition of sudden stopping, a car can stop at the safe distance due to less
momentum. However the truck will need more distance to stop completely. This will
result in a definite collision.

Situation 2: When driving behind the truck is blocking the view

When the big truck is moving ahead the car it is perhaps blocking the view of car driver.
However, the car driver can increase the space between them and hence increase the
view. In this case the collision can be avoided by increasing the space between the
vehicles there by reducing the probability of collision. Hence this is a less risky situation
than the one mentioned above.

SEVEN STAR

Session 01
Benefits of driving education
Why are you here?
Insurance discount
Reduce waiting period for road test
To gain parents confidence
To learn and become a defensive driver

Up to date knowledge of traffic rules

Adapting bad habits from others
Environmental effect
In-class will become an essential foundation to what will be expected in the car.
All the things you will learn here in 40 hrs, you are going to use for next 62 years.

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SEVEN STAR

14

Safe, Responsible and Defensive Driving

When one starts learning to drive, the student focuses on the basic driving techniques and
adhering to the rules of the road (ex. traffic lights, stop signs, crosswalks, etc).
The schools role is to teach their students not only the basics described but also to go
beyond by teaching them to become safe and responsible drivers. Hence, the students are
taught to expect the unexpected like collisions or bad weather and how to avoid such
things. In other words, students are taught defensive driving.
Defensive Driving is a combination of visibility, space, communication.
Visibility
Visibility in this case refers to the awareness of your fellow drivers and road users and
their awareness of you. When the driver is more aware of his/her surroundings, theyre
able to anticipate dangerous situations and respond accordingly to prevent them.
A good defensive driver checks the mirror every five seconds or so, scanning the traffic
behind them as well as constantly scanning the roads ahead and behind them. The driver
also needs to ensure that their fellow drivers can see them and that their intentions are
clear by using signal lights and staying out of ones blind spot.
Space
The key to the safety of the driver is allowing for space between the vehicles, not only in
front and behind, but on both sides of the lane. Generally, the greatest risk of a collision
is in front of the driver. Therefore leaving a cushion of space ahead gives the driver time
and space to avoid an accident.
Communication
A driver should courteously communicate with other road users for mutual safety.
Whenever necessary, they should make eye contact with other drivers, pedestrians,
cyclists...
This is especially important when the driver wants to turn or change lanes, or stop or
proceed at an intersection. Although not encouraged, if one needs to, one can use their
horn to attract a persons attention.
Safe, responsible and defensive driving
Safe driving is a form of training for motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond mastery of
the rules of the road and the basic mechanics of driving. Its aim is to reduce the risk of
driving by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of
others. This can be achieved through adherence to a variety of general rules, as well as
the practice of specific driving techniques.
Responsible driving:
Driving predictably
Driving courteously

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15

Driving artfully
Being a safe and responsible driver takes a combination of knowledge, skill and attitude.
To begin, you must know the traffic laws and driving practices that help traffic move
safely. Breaking these "rules of the road" is the major cause of collisions.
But you need to do more than just obey the rules. You must care about the safety of others
on the road. Everyone is responsible for avoiding collisions. Even if someone else does
something wrong, you may be found responsible for a collision if you could have done
something to avoid it.
Because drivers have to cooperate to keep traffic moving safely, you must also be
predictable, doing what other people using the road expect you to do. And you must be
courteous. Courteous driving means giving other drivers space to change lanes, not
cutting them off and signalling your turns and lane changes properly.
You must be able to see dangerous situations before they happen and to respond quickly
and effectively to prevent them. This is called defensive or strategic driving.
Defensive driving is based on three ideas: visibility, space and communication.
Visibility is about seeing and being seen. You should always be aware of traffic in front,
behind and beside you. Keep your eyes constantly moving, scanning the road ahead and
to the side and checking your mirrors every five seconds or so. The farther ahead you
look, the less likely you will be surprised, and you will have time to avoid any hazards.
Make sure other drivers can see you by using your signal lights as required.
Managing the space around your vehicle lets you see and be seen and gives you time and
space to avoid a collision. Leave a cushion of space ahead, behind and to both sides.
Because the greatest risk of a collision is in front of you, stay well back.
Communicate with other road users to make sure they see you and know what you are
doing. Make eye contact with pedestrians, cyclists and drivers at intersections and signal
whenever you want to slow down, stop, turn or change lanes. If you need to get another
person's attention, use your horn.

Defensive Driving Quiz

1. The term "Eye Lead Time" refers to the need to stare at the vehicle ahead of you when
you are driving.
2. If your vehicle catches on fire or is under water as a result of a collision, your chances
of survival are better if you are wearing your seat belt.

SEVEN STAR

16

3. When you drink beer or alcohol, your ability to drive is not impaired until you have a
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in excess of 80 mg per 100 ml of blood (.08).
4. The most effective way to deal with a person who is tailgating you is to speed up to
increase the distance between their vehicle and yours.
5. The most frequent cause of loss of control of a vehicle is "speed too fast for
conditions".
6. When you are stopped in an intersection waiting to make a left turn, your front wheels
should be turned to the left (the direction in which you will be turning).
7. A rear-facing infant child-seat must not be used in a vehicle seating position which is
equipped with an air bag.
8. If you travel a certain roadway at 70 km/h during daylight hours, after dark you should
reduce your speed by at least 10 km/h, depending on conditions..
9. If you have an ABS (anti-lock brake system) equipped vehicle and are faced with an
emergency braking situation, you should pump your brakes.
10. Hydroplaning (when a vehicle's tires are riding on a film of water rather than
contacting directly with the road surface) can only happen if you are travelling at a speed
of more than 70 km/h.

Print this page

Being a safe and responsible driver takes a combination of _________, _____ and
________.

Defensive driving is based on three ideas: __________, _____ and _____________.

SEVEN STAR

17

Distracted driving causes at least __ out of __ collisions.

Make operation of your vehicle your primary _____ and always ___________ on your
driving.

Cell phones and Canadian Doctors

Canadian doctors have warned that using cell phone while driving adversely affects the
brains capacity to identify the danger, its visual concentration, the speed to process
information and hence its reaction time.Basing their research on various studies from
around the world, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) doctors here say that there is a
strong link between mobile use by drivers and road accidents around the world.
Their research points out that mobile use by drivers automatically led to a big reduction
in their functional field of view, decreased safe distance between vehicles and slowed
their brake reaction time. The use of mobile slowed the drivers response time to traffic
light changes, 15 percent less response to traffic lights, and slowed braking by 18 percent.
Further, the use of mobile by the drivers reduced their visual monitoring of mirrors and
instruments, with some abandoning them entirely. It also led to fewer glances at traffic
lights and an increased tendency for hard braking.

SEVEN STAR

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The evidence is clear that driving while using a mobile phone is dangerous to the driver,
their passengers and others on or near the roadway, said Ken Arnold, president of the
OMA.
Too many drivers treat talking on a phone while driving as a harmless practice.its not an
easy prescription to give, but this practice has to be curtailed, he said.
Arnold added, `Doctors know all too well the consequences of driving while distracted
and it is time that the right steps are taken to ensure the safety of people.
Some states in America, Australia and many European countries have banned the use of
cell phone while driving. In Canada, only four of the 10 provinces have put restrictions
on the use of cell phones by drivers.
Since Ontario, which has more than 40 percent of the total Canadian population of 33
million, has no such laws to ban the practice, doctors have called for a legislation to
discourage this habit.
Can Collision Warning Systems Mitigate Distraction Due to In-Vehicle Devices?
Rear-end collisions account for approximately 28% of automotive crashes. Because driver inattention is a
contributing factor in more than 60% of these collisions, rear-end collision avoidance systems (RECAS)
offer a promising approach to reduce crashes and save lives.
A RECAS is a device that uses electronic sensors (e.g. radar) to detect the motion of a leading vehicle,
compute whether a collision is likely, and trigger an alarm to alert the driver of the impending collision.
The ability of a RECAS is to aid distracted drivers in avoiding an imminent collision.
An early warning helps drivers react more quickly and avoid more collisions compared to late warning or no warning.

Rear-end collisions cause approximately 157 million vehicle-hours of delay annually, which is
approximately one-third of all crash-caused delay.
Driver inattention has been identified as a contributing factor in over 60% of these crashes. Compared to
driver inattention, environment-related factors have a very small contribution to rear-end collisions.
Specifically, poor visibility was identified as a contributing factor in only 2% of the crashes.
Rear-end collisions are a particularly prevalent crash type for distracted drivers.
Driving requires attentional resources associated with visual perception (e.g., watching the road) and
manual response (e.g., steering and braking).
Visual displays for in-vehicle systems require the same resources, and many researchers and designers have
recognized the potential of visual displays to distract drivers.
Visual displays pose a structural distraction to drivers because they cause drivers to look away from the
road.
Speech-based interaction requires attentional resources associated with auditory perception and vocal
response. Because speech-based interaction (e.g., cellular telephone conversation) requires perceptual and
response resources that are different from those required by the driving task; the driver can keep his eyes on
the road and hands on the wheel. Speech-based interaction does not pose a structural distraction to the

SEVEN STAR

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driver; however, speech based interaction may demand common cognitive resources associated with
thinking about the road and the in-vehicle information system, posing a cognitive distraction to the driver.
The two major types of distractions are:
Structural distraction, which occurs when the driver looks away from the road or takes his hands off the
steering wheel.
Cognitive distraction, which is less obvious and occurs when the drivers cognitive activity is directed away
from the road as in a complex conversation.
Collision warnings may mitigate both the structural and cognitive distraction posed by in-vehicle devices.
Increased driving safety through rear-ends collision warning systems (RECAS):
These systems use electronic sensors (e.g. radar) to detect the motion of a lead vehicle, compute whether a
collision is likely, and trigger warning to alert the driver of the possible collision situation. The goal of
these systems is to alert the driver to a potential collision situation, return the drivers attention to the
roadway, and promote a response that avoids the collision.

What is your interpretation of this article?

Risk-perception
Defensive driving is also accurate perception of personal limits, abilities and risk
tolerance
Accurate risk-perception contributes to safe driving behaviour.
Different types of drivers
Dangerous driving
Aggressive driving
Street racing
Consequences (personal, social, legal, economic)
Personal risk-tolerance
Caution versus risk
Judging risks in various situations
Role of over-confidence and under-confidence in inaccurate risk-perception
Accurate risk perception
Quick and effective reaction times
Proactive versus reactive driving action
Expectations of other road-users
Consequences of not doing what other road-users expect
Safe time margins
Factors that affect driver risk-perception
Driver age
Experience
Driving environment
Mental factors
o self-esteem, aggression
o frustration, impatience
o feelings of power

SEVEN STAR
overconfidence
awareness of consequences
Physical factors
Role of self-control
Need for peer approval
Perception of other drivers
Impairment
o
o

How's my driving?
Take this test and ask yourself these questions:

Am I experiencing an increasing number of near collisions?

Have I been directly involved in minor collisions?
Do I have difficulty driving through intersections, judging distance or seeing
pedestrians, road signs or other vehicles?
Do I have difficulty concentrating while driving?
Do I get lost or disoriented on familiar roads?
Do I have difficulty coordinating hand and foot movements?
Am I experiencing vision problems, especially at night?
Do I get nervous behind the wheel?
Do other motorists frequently honk at me?
Do family members express concern about my driving ability?
How important is driving to me?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether to continue to drive, cut
back to certain times such as daylight hours, or stop driving altogether. If you have
checked one or more of the warning signs and are concerned about your driving ability,
talk to your doctor or family and get their opinions.

How aging affects driving safety

Reduced vision - especially at night

Difficulty judging distance and speed
Limited movement and range of motion
Slower reaction time
Difficulty focusing attention for long periods of time
Easily distracted
More time needed to understand what you see and hear
More use of prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs that may impair your
driving ability

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SEVEN STAR

21

What you can do to make your driving safer

Your health is a key factor in your ability to drive. To help you handle the demands of
safe driving:

Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure current and new medications
will not negatively affect your ability to drive. Over-the-counter drugs and
combinations of drugs can also impair your driving.
Report to your doctor:
o vision changes, unexplained dizziness or fainting spells;
o Frequent, chronic or severe pain.
Avoid driving if you're experiencing pain. It can decrease your ability to
concentrate and limit your movement behind the wheel.
Have your hearing and eyes checked regularly. Peripheral vision and depth
perception tend to decline over the years.
Your doctor can recommend an exercise program to improve flexibility and
maintain strength, which can help your ability to drive safely.
Consider taking a driver's course to refresh your knowledge of the rules of the
road and safe driving practices.

Ontario has licence exchange agreements with every Canadian province and territory, the
United States, Japan, Korea, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, France and
Belgium. (If two or more years of experience, you may get full G licence privileges
without taking knowledge test or road test. If less than two years of experience, you get
credit and enter Level Two until you have two years of experience then take road test to
get G)

Session 02
Why do we need traffic laws?
Who makes traffic laws?
Who enforces traffic laws?
Why traffic laws and regulations?
Current road safety issues
Speed
Impaired driving
Distracted driving
Emergency vehicles
Licensing requirements
Insurance
What are traffic control devices?
Road Signs
Traffic Signals
Pedestrian signals
Motor vehicle signals

SEVEN STAR
Traffic officer directions
Lane use lights
Road Markings
Chevrons
Arrows
Bicycles
Crosswalks
Crossovers
Stop lines
Railroad crossings
Consequences of breaking traffic laws:
Fine
Jail
Licence suspension
Demerit points suspension
Other ways to lose licence:

Medical suspension ( Overhead )

HTA suspension ( Overhead )

Criminal Code of Canada suspension

Basic traffic laws
Driver licence
Are you allowed to borrow somebody else licence?
Are you allowed to lend your licence to somebody else?
Licence lost?
Licence expired?
Restrictions or conditions?
Forgetting your licence at home?
Address change?
Altered licence?
More than one licence?
Fictitious or imitation licence?
Stop sign
All way versus not all way
Where to stop?
How long to stop?
Who has the right of way?
Lack of observation?
Lack of knowledge?
How can you reduce your risk at stop sign?
Two vehicles stopped at the same time?
Three vehicles stopped at the same time?
Four vehicles stopped at the same time?
Stop sign is too far from intersection?
Yield sign
Yield to whom?
Yield sign in combination with stop sign ( overhead )

22

SEVEN STAR

23

Speed limit
Max speed in city, highways, freeways?
People who drive slow and people who drive fast, they both are hazards on the road?
Unnecessary Slow driving: 2 demerit points
Speeding: 3, 4 or 6 demerit points
Speed of traffic?
Common speed?
Speed limit change ahead?
Bad weather
Night
Construction zone
Heavy traffic
School bus
Chrome yellow?
Roads without median?
Roads with median?
20 metres?
First offence: $400-$2000 fine + 6 demerit points
Second offence within 5 years: $1000-$4000 fine + 6 demerit points + jail up to 6
months
School buses near railway crossings?
Emergency vehicles
Must get out of the way?
Two way road?
One way road with more than two lanes?
Following within 150 metres in the same direction?
Volunteer firefighters and flashing green light?
Traffic lights
Red light
Green light
Amber light
Red light bigger than others?
Why red means stop?
Advanced green light or arrow
Flashing green light
Flashing red light
Flashing amber light
Left turn signal ( fully protected left turn )
Blank traffic light
Transit priority signals
Traffic beacons
Flashing red beacon
Flashing yellow beacon
Pedestrian signals
White walking symbol
Flashing orange hand
Steady orange hand
Pedestrian pushbuttons
Numbers system
Pavement markings

SEVEN STAR

White versus Yellow

White solid versus White broken
Yellow solid versus Yellow broken
Continuity lines
Stop line
Crosswalk lines
White arrow on a lane
Crossover lines
Signalling
Proper communication
Just signalling is not enough
Give others a chance to co-operate
Turn signals
Hand signals
Signal before
Stopping
Slowing down
Turning
Changing lane
Leaving the road
Moving out from a parked position
Transit buses
Yield sign behind the buses
Street cars
Pass on the right unless on a one-way road
At least 2 metres behind the rear door
Exception to the above rule

Parking
Parking on the travelled part of the road
Curve, hill
125 metres clear view
Blocking other vehicle
Blocking side walk, crosswalk, road entrance
Fire hydrant-3 metres
Bridge-100 metres
hotel, theatre, public hall-6 metres
Intersection-9 metres
Intersection with traffic lights-15 metres
Parking for people with disabilities
High occupancy vehicle ( HOV ) lane
Buses
passenger vehicles carrying a specified minimum number of passengers
3 demerit points
Intersections
Controlled ( usually safer as long as everybody obeys the lights )
Traffic lights
Green
Amber
Red

24

SEVEN STAR
Stop sign
First stop first go
Yield sign
Must slow down or stop if necessary
Uncontrolled
Driver on the left must let the driver on the right go first
Why?
Blind
Building, billboard, Tree
Use extreme caution
Accident risk is higher
Slow down
Cornering
Right turn
Green light
Red light
Amber light
Stop sign
Yield sign
From private property onto public property
pedestrians
Wide right turn
Hugging the curb
Good speed for right turn
From which lane
To which lane
Separate right turn lane
Left turn
Green light
Too wide
LOC ( left of centre )
Speed
From which lane
To which lane
Separate left turn lane
S-bend
Red light ( one way to one way )
Curve
Speed
Left of centre
First half of the curve is more critical
More chances of skidding
Point of no-return
How to find out point on no-return
Point of no-return versus speed
Danger to you when you still before point of no-return
Danger to you when you have passed the point of no-return
7 points

3 points

25

SEVEN STAR

Failing to remain at the scene of a collision

Failing to stop for police

6 points

Careless driving
Racing
Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
Failing to stop for a school bus

5 points

Driver of bus failing to stop at unprotected railway

crossing

4 points

Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h

Following too closely

26

Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h

Driving through, around or under a railway crossing
barrier
Failing to yield the right-of-way
Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light or railway
crossing signal
Failing to obey traffic control stop sign
Failing to obey traffic control slow sign
Failing to obey school crossing stop sign
Failing to obey the directions of a police officer
Driving the wrong way on a divided road
Failing to report a collision to a police officer
Improper driving where road is divided into lanes
Crowding the driver's seat
Going the wrong way on a one-way road
Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road
Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is
provided
Failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped
emergency vehicle
Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing
Failing to move, where possible, into another lane
when passing a stopped emergency vehicle
Driving a vehicle that is equipped with or carrying a
speed measuring warning device (such as a radar
detector)
Improper use of a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane

2 points

Failing to lower headlight beam

Improper opening of a vehicle door
Prohibited turns
Towing people - on toboggans, bicycles, skis, for
example
Failing to obey signs
Failing to share the road
Improper right turn
Improper left turn
Failing to signal
Unnecessary slow driving
Reversing on a highway
Driver failing to wear a seatbelt
Driver failing to ensure infant passenger is secured
Driver failing to ensure toddler passenger is secured
Driver failing to ensure child is secured
Driver failing to ensure passenger under 16 years is
wearing seatbelt

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27

DEMERIT POINTS
The demerit point system encourages drivers to improve their behaviour and protects people from drivers
who abuse the privilege of driving. Drivers convicted of driving-related offences have demerit points
recorded on their records. Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence. If
you accumulate too many demerit points, your driver's licence can be suspended.
New drivers - Demerit Point System for Level One or Level Two Drivers
2 or more points
You will receive a warning letter.
6 points
You may have to attend an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not
be suspended. If you do not go to the interview, your licence may be suspended.
9 or more points
Your licence will be suspended for 60 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation.
You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. After the suspension, the
number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any extra points could again bring you to the
interview level. If you reach nine points again, your licence may be suspended for six months.
As a Level One or Level Two driver, you will have your licence suspended if you accumulate nine or more
demerit points during a two-year period.
Fully licensed drivers - Demerit Point System for Fully Licensed Drivers
6 points
You will be told about your record and urged to improve your driving skills.
9 points
You may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be
suspended. You may also have to complete a driver re-examination. If you fail this test, your licence can be
cancelled. If you fail to attend an interview, or fail to give good reasons for keeping your licence, your
licence may be suspended.
15 points
Your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you hand over your licence to the Ministry of
Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender it. After the
suspension, the number of points on your driver's record will be reduced to seven. Any extra points could
again bring you to the interview level. If you reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six
months.

SEVEN STAR

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CRIMINAL CODE SUSPENSIONS

DRIVING OR HAVING CARE AND CONTROL OF A VEHICLE WHILE YOUR ABILITY IS

IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
REFUSING TO SUBMIT TO A BREATH TEST FOR ALCOHOL.
FAILING OR REFUSING TO PROVIDE A BREATH SAMPLE FOR ROAD SIDE TESTING.
DRIVING OR HAVING CARE AND CONTROL OF A VEHICLE WHEN YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL
CONCENTRATION IS MORE THAN .08%
FAILING TO REMAIN AT THE SCENE OF A COLLISION.
DANGEROUS DRIVING.
CAUSING BODILY HARM.
CAUSING DEATH.

FIRST CONVICTION
ONE YEAR LICENCE SUSPENSION
FINE
SECOND CONVICTION
THREE YEAR LICENCE SUSPENSION
FINE
THIRD CONVICTION
LIFETIME LICENCE SUSPENSION
( POSSIBILITY OF REINSTATEMENT AFTER 10 YEARS )
FINE
FOURTH CONVICTION
LIFETIME LICENCE SUSPENSION
( WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF REINSTATEMENT )
CONVICTIONS WILL REMAIN ON YOUR DRIVERS RECORD FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS.

DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION

YOU MAY NOT DRIVE, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN YOUR LICENCE IS SUSPENDED.
IF YOU ARE CONVICTED OF DRIVING WHILE YOUR LICENCE IS SUSPENDED FORHTA OFFENCE
FIRST OFFENCE:
$ 1000 - $ 5000 FINE
SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE: $ 2000 - $ 5000 FINE + UPTO 6 MONTHS JAIL
( WITHIN 5 YEARS )
ADDITIONAL 6 MONTHS SUSPENSION

CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCE

FIRST OFFENCE:

$ 5000 - $ 25000 FINE

ADDITIONAL 12 MONTHS SUSPENSION
SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE: $ 10000 - $ 50000 FINE + UPTO 24 MONTHS JAIL
( WITHIN 5 YEARS )
ADDITIONAL 24 MONTHS SUSPENSION
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT SUSPENSIONS

SEVEN STAR

IF YOU DONT TELL THE TRUTH: IN AN APPLICATION, DECLARATION OR ABOUT VEHICLE

LIABILITY INSURANCE.

IF YOU FAIL TO INSURANCE YOUR VEHICLE.

CARELESS DRIVING.

DRIVING 50 KM/HR OR MORE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT.

IF YOU DONT PAY TRAFFIC FINE WHEN ORDERED BY THE COURT.

29

IF YOU ARE CONVICTED OF FAILING TO STOP FOR A POLICE OFFICER.( FIVE YEAR
SUSPENSION )

MEDICAL SUSPENSION
BY LAW, ALL DOCTORS MUST REPORT THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF EVERYONE 16 YEARS OR
OLDER WHO HAS A CONDITION THAT MAY AFFECT THEIR ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.
ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS IS CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE.
DOCTORS REPORT THIS INFORMATION TO THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND IT IS NOT
GIVEN TO ANYONE ELSE.
YOUR DRIVERS LICENCE MAY BE SUSPENDED UNTILL NEW MEDICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT
THE CONDITION DOES NOT POSE A SAFETY RISK.

Driving is a Privilege not a Right

Dictionary.com defines a right as a just claim or title that is legal. A privilege is a special advantage,
right or benefit.
SECTION 31 (H.T.A.)
(a) (b)
31. Driving a privilege
The purpose of this part is to protect the public by ensuing that
a)

the privilege of driving on a highway is granted to, and retained by, only those person who
demonstrate that they are likely to drive safely, and
b) full driving privileges are granted to novice and probationary drivers only after they acquire
experience and develop or improve safe driving skills in controlled conditions.
SCHOOL BUSES
School buses in Ontario come in a range of sizes. All are chrome yellow and display the words "School
Bus."
You must stop whenever you approach a stopped school bus with its upper alternating red lights flashing,
regardless of whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the front. When approaching the bus
from the front, stop at a safe distance for children to get off the bus and cross the road in front of you. If

SEVEN STAR

30

you are coming from behind the bus, stop at least 20 metres away. Do not go until the bus moves or the
lights have stopped flashing.
If you are on a road with a median strip, only vehicles coming from behind the bus must stop. (A median is
a physical barrier such as a raised, lowered, earth or paved strip constructed to separate traffic travelling in
different directions. Vehicles cannot cross over a median strip.)
You must obey the school bus law on any road, no matter how many lanes or what the speed limit. Be
prepared to stop for a school bus at any time, not just within school hours.
As well as the upper alternating red flashing lights, school buses use a stop sign arm on the driver's side of
the bus. This arm, a standard stop sign with alternating flashing red lights at top and bottom, swings out
after the upper alternating red lights begin to flash. Remain stopped until the arm folds away and all lights
stop flashing.
Note: It is illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing. If you don't stop,
you can be fined $400 to $2,000 and get six demerit points for a first offence. If you are convicted a second
time within five years, the penalty is a fine of $1,000 to $4,000 and six demerit points. You could also go to
jail for up to six months. In Ontario, school bus drivers and other witnesses can report vehicles that have
illegally passed a school bus.
If you are the vehicle's registered owner, these same fines may be applied to you. If you do not pay the fine,
you will not be able to renew your vehicle permit.
Watch for school buses near railway crossings. All school buses must stop at all railway crossings. The
upper alternating red lights are not used for these stops, so be alert.
Stopping at school crossings
Where a school crossing guard displays a red and white stop sign you must stop before reaching the
crossing and remain stopped until all persons, including the school crossing guard, have cleared your half
of the roadway and it is safe to proceed.
If you have any doubts on when it is safe to drive forward, wait until all the children and the guard have
cleared the crossing.
Drivers who don't follow the stopping requirements may be fined between $150 and $500 and get 3 demerit
points.

Approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with red lights flashing

When you see an emergency vehicle stopped with its red lights flashing in a lane or on the shoulder in your
direction of travel, you must slow down and pass with caution.
If the road has two or more lanes, you must move over into another lane to allow one lane clearance
between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle, if it can be done safely.

Failing to follow these rules can result in a conviction and a fine and demerit points on
your driving record.
Sharing the road with pedestrians

SEVEN STAR

31

Pay special attention to pedestrians, whether they are crossing roads in traffic, walking or jogging alongside
roads, or using crosswalks or crossovers (generally known as crossings). Watch for children. Drive slowly
and cautiously through school zones, residential areas and any other area where children may be walking or
playing. You never know when a child might dart out from between parked cars or try to cross a street
without checking for oncoming traffic. Be very cautious at twilight when children may still be playing
outside, but are very difficult to see. Watch out for Community Safety Zone signs as they indicate areas
where the community has identified that there is a special risk to pedestrians.
Elderly pedestrians or those with disabilities need extra caution and courtesy from drivers as they may be
slow in crossing the road. Be alert for pedestrians who are blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired,
people in wheelchairs or people walking slowly due to some other physical impairment and give them
appropriate consideration. Pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired may use a white cane or guide
dog to help them travel safely along sidewalks and across intersections. Caution signs are posted in some
areas where there is a special need for drivers to be alert.
Persons operating mobility devices (motorized wheelchair and medical scooters) are treated the same way
as pedestrians. Usually these operators will travel along a sidewalk but if there is no sidewalk available,
persons using a mobility device should travel, like pedestrians, along the left shoulder of the roadway
facing oncoming traffic.
Some streetcar stops have a special safety island or zone for passengers getting on and off. Pass these safety
islands and zones at a reasonable speed. Always be ready in case pedestrians make sudden or unexpected
moves.
Sharing the road with cyclists Bicycles and mopeds that cannot keep up with traffic are expected to keep
to the right of the lane; however, they can use any part of the lane if necessary for safety, such as to avoid
potholes and sewer grates. Cyclists need a metre on either side of themselves as a safety zone. When
passing a cyclist, allow at least one metre between your car and the cyclist.
If the lane is too narrow to share, change lanes to pass the cyclist. When turning right, signal and check
your mirrors and the blind spot to your right to make sure you do not cut off a cyclist. When parked on the
side of the street, look behind you and check your mirrors and blinds spots for a passing cyclist before
opening a door.
Pedestrian crossovers (also commonly called crosswalks) are designated areas that allow pedestrians to
safely cross roads where there are no traffic lights.
Always watch for pedestrians and people using wheelchairs at these crossings.
Pedestrians may push a button to make overhead yellow lights flash to warn drivers.
Pedestrians should point across the road to show they want to cross before entering the roadway. Drivers,
including cyclists, must stop and allow pedestrians to cross.
Once people have cleared your side of the road, you can proceed with caution.

Do not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover

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32

Tips for Drivers

Share the road with motorcycles in almost half of all motorcycle collisions the motorist is at fault,
not the motorcyclist

Motorcycles use a full lane; treat them like other vehicles when driving.
A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of
you. This lets you see around the vehicle ahead and gives you enough distance to
stop suddenly.
Many motorcycle collisions occur between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., so take extra
caution at these times.

Watch for motorcycles at intersections over one third of motorcycle collisions are intersection related.

Be sure that you are safe to proceed before doing so by checking your mirrors and
around your car.
Slow down as you come to intersection and look carefully for traffic, yield signs,
stop signs, traffic lights, cyclists and pedestrians.
Be extra cautious when turning left in front of a motorcycle. Its difficult to judge
their speed and their turn signal may be accidentally left on as they dont
automatically shut off.

Watch for clues

Motorcycle turn signals can be hard to see.

o Watch for signs, such as shoulder checking or leaning that indicate the
rider is going to turn or change lanes.

Carefully assess an oncoming motorcycles speed

A motorcycle is more difficult to see than other vehicles and its profile is smaller
from most angles.
o A motorcycle's speed and distance can easily be misjudged by drivers.
o Make sure you don't pull out in front of, or cut off, a motorcycle.

Be courteous

Respect motorcyclists - they are just as entitled to use the road as you are.
o Speed and other aggressive tactics such as tailgating can potentially be
more dangerous to the motorcyclist, who has less protection on a smaller,
open vehicle.
o Give other drivers space to change lanes, avoid cutting them off and signal
your turns and lane changes properly.

Be aware of motorcycles (and other vehicles) around your car

Check your mirrors frequently so you are aware of the other vehicles around you
and how close they are.

Remember to check your blind spot, especially before changing lanes. A motorcycle is
small enough to be entirely hidden within your blind spot.

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33

SHARING THE ROAD WITH TRUCKS

Stay visible when behind a truck. When you come to a stop, keep to the left of
your lane so the driver can see you in the side mirror. If you cant see one of
the trucks mirrors, he/she probably cant see you
Roll back Always leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the truck to
prevent roll back incidents, which can happen when the truck driver is forced
to stop on an upgrade
Avoid tailgating The trucks size will almost totally block your view and you
will have to rely on the trucks brake lights for a signal that something is
happening in front. At the same time you will be in one of the truck drivers
blind spots
Stopping distances Never pull in front of a truck without leaving adequate
room between your vehicle and the front of the truck
Backing up When a truck driver is backing up he/she has to use side mirrors.
Even though they are very large mirrors, they still leave a big blind spot. Be
patient and never cross behind a truck which is a preparing to back up
Passing trucks The same rules apply for passing a truck as for passing a car.
Be sure you maintain your speed when you are in front of a truck. Truck
drivers sometime shift through as many as 15 gears to get up to normal
highway speeds. For this reason trucks take longer to get up to highway speed
and must work harder to maintain their speed
Right hand turns Always pay close attention to truck turn signals. Many car
drivers dont realize that a truck approaching an intersection to make a right
turn may move to the left to avoid running the trailer on the curb
Keep the centre lane open The centre lane is the truckers passing lane as on
many major roadways transport trucks are forbidden from using the high
speed (far left) lane. If you travel in the centre lane be sure you are traveling
at the posted speed limit.
Keep your distance Large vehicles need extra space and time to manuvre
and stop
Obey Police
When police officers are directing traffic, you must follow their directions, even if the directions are
different from traffic lights or signs.
When a police officer signals you to pull your vehicle over, you must pull over as far to the right as you
safely can and come to a complete stop. Stay in your vehicle and wait for the police officer. You must
immediately, upon the police officer's request, surrender your driver's licence, vehicle permit (or copy) and
insurance. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have 24 hours to present these documents. If you do not
obey a police officer's direction to pull over, you risk being fined (up to $25,000), having your licence
suspended or even serving time in prison.
A Quick Look at Intersection Crashes in Canada
Fact Sheet TP 2436E
RS-2008-06
May 2008
Road Safety and Motor Vehicle
Regulation Directorate

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34

This report looks at fatal and serious injury intersection crashes during the years 2002-2004. Canadian road
safety researchers often use the years 1996-2001 as a basis for comparison to measure the amount of
progress that has been made since then. In this report, the years 2002-2004 will frequently be compared to
the 1996-2001 period to see whether the situation is improving or getting worse for various aspects of
intersection crashes.
Summary

In 2002-2004, about 800 people were killed and 8,000 were seriously injured annually in
intersection-related crashes. This was a small decrease from 1996-2001.
Urban crashes account for over half of all fatalities and almost three-quarters of serious injuries
from intersection crashes.
More middle-aged motorcyclists are being killed or seriously hurt in intersection crashes.
More pedestrians, especially seniors, are being killed in intersection crashes.
Fewer children under 16 are being killed or seriously injured in crashes at intersections.
Intersection-related fatalities among drivers aged 16 to 19 decreased by almost twenty percent
between 1996-2001 and 2002-2004.
Forty percent of all intersection fatalities involve a driver failing to yield the right of way or
disobeying a traffic sign or signal.
Older drivers (aged 65 years or older) are much more likely to commit an infraction leading up to
an intersection crash than most other drivers.
More deaths and serious injuries from intersection crashes are occurring during morning hours.

Introduction: Approach Intersections with Caution

Between 2002 and 2004, about 800 people were killed and 8,000 were seriously injured annually at
intersections. In other words, almost 30 percent of deaths from vehicle crashes and more than 40 percent of
serious injuries from vehicle crashes involved an intersection. The tragedy is that these deaths and injuries
are unnecessary and mostly preventable.
Intersections pose particular challenges to road users because a lot happens at junctions. Cars, trucks, and
motorcycles are traveling in various directions and making turns. Pedestrians are crossing the street. There
are signs to read and traffic signals to obey. Taking in all this information and reacting correctly to it
requires focused attention, sound judgment, and quick decisions by every driver.
Sometimes the intersection environment itself makes matters worse. There may be distracting visual clutter
or obstructed views. Congested roads and the lack of turning lanes or signals can make a driver's job more
difficult.
Intersections are often made more hazardous by the careless or risky behaviour of drivers. A driver who is
distracted by a wailing child or talking on a cell phone might fail to notice a vehicle turning in front of him.
A speeding driver might run through a red light. A person who's been drinking could attempt to drive home
after a night on the town.
Who is Behind the Wheel?
Drivers of all ages get involved in major intersection crashes. During 2002-2004, about one in five drivers
in a fatal or serious injury intersection crash was aged 35-44 years. However, there is a trend towards more
involvement by drivers over 45 years.

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A greater number of drivers aged 55-64 years are getting into intersection crashes because the number of
licensed drivers in this age group is growing. But there is no obvious explanation why drivers aged 45-54
years are becoming involved in fatal and serious injury crashes more often.
Even though drivers 65 years and older are getting into fewer deadly intersection crashes, they are still a
concern because their involvement in serious injury crashes is growing.

Who are
the

Victims?
Between 2002-2004, substantially fewer children under 16 years of age were killed or seriously injured in
an intersection crash, compared to 1996-2001. On the other hand, a growing number of people aged 35 to
64 were dying in intersection crashes. The largest increase was among those aged 45 to 54 years.
In general, driver and passenger deaths and serious injuries from intersection crashes are slowly decreasing.
Airbags and other vehicle safety features, which help protect people riding in a car or light truck, are
responsible for at least part of the improvement.
Looking at driver fatalities in particular, two groups stand out in a favourable way. Intersection deaths
among drivers aged 16-19 dropped almost 20% between 1996-2001 and 2002-2004. The improvement
could be a result of the graduated licensing programs that most jurisdictions have adopted. In addition,
intersection-related deaths among senior drivers (those aged 65 or older) decreased by about 15% over the
same time period.
Although the number of drivers and passengers getting killed or seriously hurt at intersections has
decreased, the picture doesn't look as rosy for motorcyclists or pedestrians. Deaths from intersection
crashes increased for both types of road users between 1996-2001 and 2002-2004.

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Speeding Kills
Police are reporting speeding more regularly as a factor in fatal and serious injury intersection crashes.
Speeding is typically a younger person's offence. As might be expected, it is drivers under 45 years of age
who are taking increased chances with speed just prior to a fatal or serious injury crash at an intersection.
During 2002-2004, the most frequent speeders were young drivers (aged 16 to 24 years). Almost one in five
young drivers was speeding at the time of a fatal intersection crash, and this number was up from 19962001.
So Does Drinking and Driving
Between 2002 and 2004, at least 12 percent of drivers who got into a fatal intersection crash had been using
alcohol. Sadly, this was a higher percentage than during 1996-2001. Drinking drivers have a huge effect on
the safety of other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Almost one in five persons killed at an intersection
was in a crash that involved a drinking driver.
Young drivers were the worst offenders when it comes to drinking and driving. One in three drinking
drivers who became involved in a deadly intersection crash was aged 16 to 24 years, and their number
increased faster
than the number
from any other
age group
between 19962001 and 20022004.

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37

It's been shown that a person who is willing to combine alcohol and vehicle operation is likely to do other
risky things while driving. For example, about 30% of drinking drivers involved in fatal intersection
crashes were also speeding, as were about 20% of those in serious injury crashes.
Breaking the Law Causes Crashes
Drivers who ignore the rules of the road are a major cause of fatal and serious injury intersection crashes.
In fact, 40% of all drivers who got into a fatal or serious injury intersection crash had committed some type
of driving infraction, such as disobeying traffic controls or failing to yield the right of way. That figure rises
to 50% for drivers aged 16 to 24, and skyrockets to almost 70% for drivers aged 75 years and older.

Pay

Attention at Intersections
At least 12% of drivers who became involved in a fatal or serious injury intersection crash were distracted
and not paying enough attention to the road. Drivers aged 16 to 24 were the most likely to be distracted,
followed closely by drivers aged 55 to 64.
Check the Clock
Poor lighting or bad driving conditions are rarely factors in major intersection crashes. However,
intersection crashes were more likely to happen at certain points during the day. More than one in five
intersection deaths and serious injuries occurred between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., which corresponds to the
typical afternoon "rush hour."
Interestingly, mornings are becoming more dangerous when it comes to intersection crashes. Between
1996-2001 and 2002-2004, fatalities from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. increased by 20%, while fatalities from 3 a.m. to
6 a.m. increased by 13%.

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Intersections and Older Drivers

The natural process of aging may include worsening eyesight, poorer hearing, and reduced range of
movement. Mental sharpness can also decrease, sometimes so gradually that it escapes notice. More time is
needed to judge a situation, decide what to do, and then take the correct action.
Any of these age-related problems will hinder a driver's ability to travel safely and lawfully through an
intersection. That's why senior drivers (those aged 65 years or older) seem to have more difficulty with
intersections than the average driver.
Here is an example of that difficulty. Looking at drivers in general, about one in eight had failed to yield the
right of way just before they got into a fatal or serious injury crash at an intersection. But when it comes to
senior drivers involved in such crashes, one in four had made this dangerous error of attention and
judgment.
Here's another example. One in four senior drivers in a fatal intersection crash was trying to turn left just
prior to the crash. To put it in comparative terms, a driver aged 65 years or older was twice as likely as the
average driver to be turning left at the time of a fatal intersection crash.
Intersections and Motorcyclists
The number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured in intersection crashes is rising. Although
intersection-related deaths and serious injuries among motorcyclists under the age of 25 actually decreased
between 1996-2001 and 2002-2004, that improvement was more than offset by a higher number of middleaged and older victims.
Motorcycle registrations have increased substantially over the past few years, and many of the motorcycles
are owned by middle-aged or baby boomer riders. This is translating into more crash victims from this age
group. For example, the number of motorcyclists aged 45 to 54 years who died in intersection crashes grew
by 60% and the number who were seriously injured increased by 40%. For those aged 55 to 64, fatalities
have actually tripled and serious injuries more than doubled.

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39

Motorcyclists
are quite
vulnerable on
the road and at
intersections.
They can be
hard for drivers
to see,
especially on
busy urban
streets, and
motorcycles
don't provide
the same
protection that
occupants of
cars and trucks
enjoy.
Motorcyclists often add to their own risk at intersections by speeding. During 2002-2004, a motorcyclist
who got into a fatal or serious injury intersection crash was three times as likely as the average driver in
such a crash to be speeding.
Approaching on Foot
Pedestrians account for one in five persons killed in crashes at intersection, and, as with motorcyclists, the
number of victims is increasing. Not surprisingly, most pedestrians deaths and injuries happen in urban
areas. Drivers concentrating on traffic signals and the flow of vehicles sometimes fail to notice pedestrians
against the backdrop of urban commotion.
Pedestrians endanger themselves by crossing against the light or ignoring their surroundings. Even so,
between 1996-2001 and 2002-2004, it became more likely that the driver was at fault in the crash rather
than the pedestrian. This suggests a growing carelessness on the part of drivers.
One group that is at great risk when it comes to intersection crashes is pedestrians aged 65 years or older.
Seniors accounted for almost 50% of pedestrians killed in an intersection crash, up from 44% during 19962001. This percentage is likely to grow even higher as the baby boomer generation turns 65 years old.

The number of
seniors being killed
at intersections is
rising steadily too,
increasing by 12%
between 1996-2001
and 2002-2004.
Seniors are in more

SEVEN STAR

40

peril at intersections because they often have decreased sight, hearing, and alertness, making them less
likely to notice vehicles coming towards them. They may take additional time to cross the street and are
unable to react quickly to sudden danger. For example, older pedestrians are much more likely than the
average pedestrian to be killed or seriously injured by a vehicle turning left.
Highways and Byways
A growing percentage of intersection fatalities and serious injuries are occurring in urban areas where the
speed limit is 70 km/h or lower. During 2002-2004, more than half of intersection-related fatalities and
almost three-quarters of serious injuries occurred in urban areas. Alcohol use among drivers who become
involved in major intersection crashes was highest in urban areas.
Rural crashes on undivided roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h or higher accounted for about 40% of
intersection fatalities and almost 25% of intersection serious injuries. The good news on rural roads is that
intersection-related deaths of persons under the age of 25 dropped by more than 25% between 1996-2001
and 2002-2004. The number of young drivers getting into fatal crashes decreased by almost 30%. Alcohol
use by drivers involved in intersection crashes also declined during the same time frame.
Only a small number of intersection deaths and serious injuries occurred on motorways with speeds of 100
km/h or higher. Driver distraction was a factor in about 20% of those fatalities and injuries, a higher
percentage than in rural or urban areas. Motorways had the highest involvement of heavy trucks and buses
in major intersection collisions.
Making Canada's Roads the Safest in the World
Clearly, intersections can be dangerous places for all types of road users. It is possible to reduce the number
of people killed and seriously hurt in intersection crashes each year in Canada. But making intersections
safer will take action on everyone's part. Here are some ideas that could help:

Add or improve signage that helps drivers understand an intersection.

Minimize unnecessary signage and reduce visual clutter at intersections.
Simplify intersection layouts.
Add more left-turn lanes and signal-controlled left-turn opportunities.
Make the most of limited police resources by focusing traffic safety enforcement where it will do
the most good.
Offer driving refresher courses for older drivers.
Improve the process to get unsafe older drivers off the road.
Develop transportation options that give seniors an alternative to driving.
Educate pedestrians on the importance of paying attention to vehicle movement.
Design intersections with senior drivers and pedestrians in mind.
Install longer pedestrian walk signals that allow for safe crossing.
Educate motorcyclists, especially middle-aged riders, about safe motorcycling practices.
Educate drivers to watch for motorcycles, pedestrians and bicyclists and to respect the rights of
other road users.

Safe Roads
There are three main things that all work together to make Canada's roads and highways as safe as possible.
Education and driver training ensure that people actually know what they're doing when they get behind the
wheel; the police do their best to make sure everyone follows the rules; and, last but not least, the actual
roads themselves have to be well-designed and in good shape.

41

SEVEN STAR
So, what makes a good road a safe road? Things like how and where it is built, speed limits, traffic
lights, stop signs, roundabouts and much more. This section looks at four areas:
Roadway Safety Benchmarks Over Time
Prepared by:
Hamilton Associates & Montufar and Associates

TP 14238 E
March 2003

Prepared for:
Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Improving road safety requires a combination of enforcement, education, and engineering initiatives. It has
been well recognized that legislative and enforcement initiatives, such as seat-belt laws and impaired
driving enforcement, have reduced the number of crashes on Canada's roads. Similarly, new passive invehicle safety systems, such as air bags and daytime running lights, have also helped to reduce collision
frequency and severity.
This study identifies the most effective road engineering improvements that have been introduced in the
past 40 years in Canada and the United States. It also contains research on the road safety benefits that have
been achieved due to better road engineering, specifically improved road design and traffic operations. The
study was jointly conducted by Hamilton Associates of Vancouver and Montufar & Associates of
Winnipeg.
After an initial review of the literature, a master list of 41 engineering countermeasures was selected for
further review. These improvements were gradually introduced in Canada from the early 1960's through to
the late 1990's. A survey was then prepared and distributed to 63 experts in road safety engineering, mostly
in Canada but also including the United States. The experts were asked to rate the effectiveness of each
countermeasure, in terms of reducing collision frequency and severity. 26 responses were received, and the
ranked list of countermeasures is shown in TABLE ES-1. The maximum point score that any one
countermeasure could receive was 78 points.
The top 14 ranked countermeasures were carried forward for further analysis, plus Roundabouts and
Rumble Strips, to represent recent safety countermeasures from the 1990s.
Table ES-1: Ranked List of Engineering Countermeasures
Countermeasure

Points

Date

Divided Highways

67

mid 1960's

Intersection Channelization (left-and right-turn lanes)

58

late 1960's

Clear Zone Widening

55

mid 1970's

Breakaway Devices (for luminairs, sign bases)

53

late 1970's

Energy-Absorbing Barrier End Treatments

53

early 1980's

Protected Left-turn Phases

51

late 1970's

Rail Crossing Warning Devices (gates, signals)

51

late 1960's

Access Management

50

late 1970's

Rigid Barriers (median and roadside)

50

mid 1970's

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10 Intersection Angle Limits (to 70 or better)

48

mid 1960's

11 Horizontal Curve Flattening

43

mid 1970's

12 Passing Lanes (along two-lane highways)

42

mid 1970's

13 Positive Guidance

42

mid 1980's

14 Street Lighting

41

mid 1970's

15 Decision Sight Distance

40

mid 1970's

16 Roundabouts

40

late 1990's

17 Two-way Left-turn Lanes

40

mid 1970's

18 Climbing Lanes (along mountainous highways)

39

mid 1970's

19 Rumble strips (edge-line or centre-line)

39

mid 1990's

20 Signal Display Conspicuity

36

mid 1980's

21 Vulnerable Road User Accommodation (s/walks, etc.)

35

late 1980's

22 All-Red Signal Phases

35

mid 1970's

23 Highly-Reflecting Pavement Markings

34

mid 1980's

24 Highly-Reflective Signs

34

mid 1980's

25 Super-elevation Improvements

34

early 1970's

26 High Friction / Open Textured Pavement

33

mid 1980's

27 Travel Lanes Widening

33

early 1970's

28 Shoulders Widening

32

mid 1970's

29 Prohibiting Parking Along Arterials

31

mid 1960's

30 Longer Taper Lengths

29

late 1970's

31 Advance Warning Flashers

27

mid 1980's

32 Signal Progression along Corridors

27

late 1960's

33 Truck Escape Roads or Ramps

27

late 1970's

34 Pavement Turn-Guidance Markings

24

late 1970's

35 Overhead Flashing Beacons

22

mid 1970's

36 Traffic Calming

22

late 1980's

37 Larger Traffic Signs

20

early 1990's

38 Rest Areas

20

mid 1970's

39 Travel Demand Management

20

mid 1980's

40 Intelligent Transportation Systems

19

late 1990's

41 Larger Street Name Signs

17

late 1980's

42

Detailed research was conducted on the quantifiable benefits that have been demonstrated for each
countermeasure, in terms of reductions in crash frequency, rate, and severity. An estimate was then
prepared, at the order of magnitude level of accuracy due to a lack of relevant literature, of the crash
reduction benefits that have been achieved by road safety engineering countermeasures in Canada. It is
estimated that approximately 11,000 lives were saved and approximately 500,000 injuries were prevented
in Canada between 1979 and 2000, due to road engineering improvements.

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43

Sharing the Road Safely

Understanding Large Vehicles
When a passenger vehicle collides with a larger truck or bus, the results can be tragic. While crashes
involving trucks and buses represent only 8.7% of total collisions, they account for 21% of fatalities. And
it's the occupants of the smaller vehicle who are more likely to suffer. A better understanding of how large
vehicles operate and move can help motorists reduce the risk of collision.
Large trucks and buses are not like cars-not even big cars. Driving these large vehicles requires extra skill
and training, especially when the road is difficult, the weather bad or the traffic heavy. When trucks and
buses speed up, slow down, climb hills, switch lanes and make turns, they perform in ways that are not the
same as cars. The bigger the vehicle, the larger its blind spots, the more room it needs to manoeuvre, and
the longer it takes to speed up or to stop.
But no matter how skillful professional drivers may be, their vehicles impose physical limits on how
effectively they can react to unexpected moves by other road users.
Remember: Exercise patience and courtesy towards all other road users. Keeping them safe keeps you
safe.
While trucks and buses have more
powerful engines than cars, they
must also pull much more weight.
A heavy truck may need 10 gear
changes to reach the speed limit,
and may take twice as much time
and distance as a car to stop. Large
trucks and buses make wide turns,
and may first have to move in the
opposite direction (left for a righthand turn, right for a left-hand
turn) in order to turn some corners.
Truck and bus drivers are aware of
the limitations and the power of
their vehicles, and therefore take
their driving very seriously.
Are you a car driver who
occasionally drives larger vehicles,
such as a moving van or a motor-home? The Sharing the Road with passenger cars section will be
particularly helpful.

Tips and Advice for Car drivers

Blind Spots
Drivers of large trucks and buses enjoy a better forward view and have larger side mirrors. But remember
that they also have more and larger blind spots. Avoid staying in one of their blind spots-if you can't see the
driver in his or her side mirror, the driver probably can't see you.

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Approaching Large
Vehicles
Larger vehicles create
more air turbulence at
highway speeds. When
approaching, keep a
steady grip on your
steering wheel.
Truck and bus wheels
spray a lot of rain in the summer and slush in the winter. When the road is wet, turn on your windshield
wipers when approaching trucks and buses so you'll be able to see more clearly at all times.

Following a Large
Vehicle
Tailgating is always
dangerous, but tailgating
a large truck or bus is
especially dangerous.
Not only does this reduce
your ability to see what's
happening on the road
ahead, but the driver of
the truck or bus can't see you. Keep a safe distance when following. And remember, if you can't see the
driver in his or her side mirror, the driver can't see you.
When possible, stay to the left side within your lane. This increases your own field of vision and makes you
more visible to the bus or truck driver.
Leave plenty of space when coming to a stop behind a large vehicle on an incline. Heavy vehicles can roll
back as much as 4.5 metres (15 feet) when the driver's foot is taken off the brake to accelerate.
Braking Distance
Don't squeeze your vehicle into the space that a truck or bus driver leaves between the truck or bus and the
vehicle ahead of it. The driver is leaving enough room to brake safely. If you reduce this braking distance,
you may be forcing the driver behind you to make a difficult choice: brake hard (possibly causing problems
like jackknifing), or risk rear-ending your vehicle.
Wide Turns
Sometimes large vehicles must swing wide to turn safely-they'll swing right for a left turn and left for a
right turn. Watch their turn signals and give them room to manoeuvre. Never drive between a turning truck
or bus and the side of the road-your car could get stuck between the large vehicle and the curb.

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45

Passing
Don't stay in the passing
lane after overtaking a
truck or bus. When you
can see the entire front of
the truck or bus in your
rear-view mirror, make a
shoulder check, signal
and return to the right
lane.
Never overtake a bus or truck on
the right side-this is the side with
the largest blind spot. If the larger
vehicle needs to move to the right,
he or she may not see you in time
to avoid a collision.
Reversing
Drivers of large vehicles can't see objects that are close behind them. Unless they have someone assisting
them, stay clear of a truck or bus that is backing up.

Signal Your Intentions

Trucks and buses take more time and need greater distances than cars to speed up, manoeuvre and stop.
When driving near a large vehicle, signal your intentions early so that the truck or bus driver has enough
time to react safely.
In Hilly Terrain
The speed of large vehicles will vary in hilly areas-faster down an incline and slower going up. Going
faster down a slope helps a driver develop enough momentum to drive up the next hill at a reasonable
speed. Be prepared to adjust your speed to maintain a safe distance.
If you're driving up a hill behind a large vehicle that is going slower, remember that the driver is probably
doing his or her best to keep up speed. Be patient and slow down to maintain a safe distance.
If you're driving down a hill ahead of a large vehicle that is fast approaching, speed up a little, if it's safe to
do so, to keep a safe distance between your vehicles. The truck or bus driver may be trying to slow down
safely without losing the momentum needed to climb the next hill at a reasonable speed.

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Highway Driving
On many highways with three or more lanes, large vehicles are not allowed to use the far left lane, even for
passing slower vehicles. When a large vehicle is following you in a centre lane, give it the opportunity to
pass by moving to the right lane.
When a truck or bus moves to the left lane to allow you to merge with traffic on a highway, slow down a
little to let it return to the right lane in front of you. This will allow you to pass safely on the left, if you
wish, and will help the larger vehicle get out of faster-moving left-lane traffic.
Road Transportation
Most Canadians drive or ride in cars, vans, buses or trucks to get where they want and need to go. Canada
has nearly 900,000 kilometres of road enough to circle the globe 22 times!
Canada's national highway system is made up of over 38,000 kilometres of important national and regional
highways.
All levels of government, as well as several instrumental public- and private-sector partners, are working
together to support the Road Safety Vision 2010 plan and make Canada's roads the safest in the world.
Emergencies
Local or provincial police forces investigate motor vehicle accidents on public roads, as well as accidents
that involve off-road vehicles.
In case of an accident
If you are involved in or witness a car accident, call 911 or your local emergency number. Tell the person
who answers the phone where you are, what happened, and what you need. If needed, they will send an
emergency vehicle(s) to your location.
Incident involving dangerous goods
The 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2008) has been developed for use by the fire fighters,
police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a
transportation incident involving dangerous goods.
ecoTRANSPORT
The ecoTRANSPORT Strategy is part of the Government of Canada's ambitious agenda to protect our
environment and the health of Canadians and to further our economic prosperity. Initiatives announced to
date include:

The ecoFREIGHT Program is aimed at reducing the environmental and health effects of freight
transportation through the use of technology.

The ecoMOBILITY Program will help municipalities reduce urban passenger transportation
emissions by increasing transit ridership and the use of other sustainable transportation options.

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47

The ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program will involve purchasing and testing a range of
advanced technologies and showcasing them at public events across Canada.

The ecoAUTO Rebate Program

Session 03
The new rules of driving:
How to use momentum instead of fuel to move your vehicle.
Momentum is m*v (mass times velocity). For example, when you have a large truck and a small car
traveling at the same speed the large truck is harder to stop because it has a bigger mass, and therefore a
bigger momentum. Both vehicles are going at the same speed but the truck has the bigger mass. Mass is the
amount of matter in an object. Velocity is the speed together with direction of motion.
Impulse is a change is momentum. For example, if the momentum of an object changes that means that the
mass or velocity must have changed. If the mass is unchanged, as it is most often, then velocity has
changed and acceleration has occured. Force produces acceleration, so the greater the force acting on an
object, the greater its change in velocity and the greater the change in momentum. The greater the net force
acting upon an object, the greater the impulse. Impulse is also defined as force of impact times time of
impact.
Momentum, like velocity, is relative. Consider a 1,000-kg car moving at 20 m/s with respect to the surface
of a highway, traveling northward. If you are driving the car, the momentum of the car relative to your body
is zero. If you stand by the side of the road, the momentum of the car relative to you is 20,000 kg m/s
northward.
If you are driving a 1,000-kg car at 15 m/s with respect to the road and are traveling northward, and a truck
of mass 1,500 kg is moving 20 m/s with respect to the road and comes up behind you in the same direction,
the truck's momentum relative to you is the product of its relative velocity (5 m/s northward) and its mass
(1,500 kg), or 7,500 kg m/s northward. Relative to the truck, the momentum of your car will be in the
opposite direction, and will be smaller: 5 m/s x 1,000 kg = 5,000 kg m/s southward. Thus, if a collision
occurs, the danger is greater to the object that is less massive.
If the above mentioned truck passes you going the opposite way on the road, its momentum relative to you
is 35 m/s x 1,500 kg southward, or 52,500 kg m/s southward. Relative to it, your momentum is 35 m/s x
1,000 kg northward, or 35,000 kg m/s northward. In that situation, as with the rear-end scenario, the peril
is greater to the less massive vehicle in the event of a collision.

TRACTION AND FRICTION

There are different kinds of traction. For instance, there's one kind of traction when we brake, another when
we accelerate, and still another when we turn.
Traction control deals specifically with lateral (front-to-back) loss of friction during acceleration. In other
words, when your car accelerates from a dead stop, or speeds up while passing another vehicle, traction
control works to ensure maximum contact between the road surface and your tires, even under less-thanideal road conditions. For example, a wet or icy road surface will significantly reduce the friction (traction)
between your tires and the pavement. And since your tires are the only part of your car that actually touches
the ground, any resulting loss of friction can have serious consequences.

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48

Traction control works at the opposite end of the scale from ABS dealing with acceleration rather than
deceleration. Still, since many of the same principles apply to both systems, it might be best to visualize it
as sort of ABS in reverse. ABS works by sensing slippage at the wheels during braking, and continually
adjusting braking pressure to ensure maximum contact between the tires and the road. You can actually
hear the system working (a grinding sound) and feel it (the pedal pulsing).
Let's say you're at a stoplight on wet pavement. The light turns green and you press too firmly on the
accelerator pedal. There is slick asphalt under your tires and the wheels begin to spin. The traction control
system instantaneously kicks in, sensing that the wheels have begun to slip. Within a fraction of a second,
this data is fed back to the control unit, which adjusts throttle input and applies braking force to slow the
wheels (some older systems also retarded engine spark). The wheels are thus prevented from spinning and
the car maintains maximum traction.
Reduced traction, your car can go into skid
Most common skid drivers encounter -- the "oversteer" skid. This is when the back end of the car
swerves out, seemingly pulling the rest of the vehicle with it.
When we discuss skidding, what we're really talking about is friction. How well does the vehicle
hold the road? Traction -- the tendency of a car to "stick" to the roadway -- has a direct relation to
whether it will skid or not.
The following factors contribute to vehicle traction and the likelihood that a car will go into a skid:
road surface, vehicle velocity, road conditions, weather, lighting, tire wear, tire inflation,
temperature, type of vehicle, suspension system, and vehicle load, among others.
Road Surface: The single most important factor affecting the potential for a car to skid is the
condition of the roadway. Is it asphalt or concrete? Rough or smooth? Think of sandpaper. It has
different grades of roughness. The coarser the sandpaper, the more friction it presents to the
surface being sanded -- i.e., the faster it "takes down" that surface. This is similar to a car's ability
to hold onto the road. It becomes even more critical when coupled with our second factor, road
conditions.
Road Conditions: This is not the same thing as road surface. For instance, when you have a
rough road surface covered with ice, the tires may never actually "see" the roughness beneath.
Different road conditions present varying friction opportunities to the tires. A coarse roadway in
the rain will hold less firmly than that same highway bone dry; likewise, snow-covered pavement
will present even fewer friction possibilities to the tires. As in braking, the forces working upon a
vehicle become focused at the point of contact -- literally, where the rubber meets the road. Throw
an ice storm or two in there, and the friction coefficient can approach zero. So, what are the
conditions of the road? Is it raining? Snowing? Was there an overnight freeze? All of these
conditions influence, separately or together, the tendency of a vehicle to skid.
Speed and Direction of Vehicle: How fast is the vehicle going and where is it headed? Energy
increases as a square of the velocity. So the faster you go, the more energy the vehicle must
dissipate before it comes to a stop. In what direction is the vehicle traveling? If the road is
heading east and your car is going north, you have a problem.
Condition of Tires: This includes tread wear, tire inflation, and tire temperature. How much
"meat" is on the tire? A new tire with lots of tread will grip the roadway much more effectively than
a bald tire. How much air does the tire have in it? A deflated tire has too much play in it and will
not react properly to changing road conditions; conversely, an over-inflated tire will tend to "skim"
across the pavement. Lastly, how hot are the tires? An overheated tire will soften and lose
gripping power.

Force of impact

SEVEN STAR

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Force of impact is the amount of force with which something hits something else. In other words it is the
amount of force that the object is acted upon. It is the force that something hits or is hit with.
Time of impact is the time that it takes something experience the force of impact.
Driving and impulse:

If two cars with different masses crash head on into each other at
identical speeds, the car with less mass will probably suffer more damage than the car
with more mass. The car with the smaller mass is unable to withstand the impact of the
car with the greater mass because the car with more mass has more momentum.
Momentum is mass times velocity.
Airbags and crumple zones cannot change the impulse of an accident; however they can
help protect drivers and passengers. Airbags can protect the passengers and drivers from
abruptly hitting the windshield or dashboard and crumple zones protect the drivers from a
high force of impact. They both also decrease the force of impact by increasing the time
of impact.
Force of Impact and Time of Impact are also related to braking a car. The reason why a
hard slam on the brakes will be less comfortable than the soft slow pressure is because if
you slam on the breaks quickly, you will jerk forward as the car comes to a quick stop
--making a quick change in velocity. With a hard slam on the brakes Time of Impact is
shorter therefore increasing the Force of Impact. Additionally, your body has a tendency
to resist a change in motion so when the car stops quickly your body is going to continue
to move forward unless you are wearing your seatbelt.
Can you fool Mother Nature?
If you have enough ___________, and do not have too much ___________, you can save a bad situation
from becoming an accident.
If you violate the law of physics, you are going to be in __________ for sure, because you get caught
___________.
FORCES QUIZ
1.) What is momentum? (formula)
a.) m*v
b.) f*t
c.) m*t
d.) b and c
2.)What is (are) the definition(s) of impulse?
a.) f*t
b.) change in momentum
c.) momentum
d.) a and b

SEVEN STAR
3.)What is force of impact?
a.) The force you hit something with
b.) A punch
c.) The time you hit with
d.) a and b
4.)What is time of impact?
a.) When you look at your watch
b.) 9:00
c.) The amount of time it takes to hit something
d.) a and b
5.)If two planes have the same mass but different speeds, which has more momentum?
a.) The plane with the smaller speed
b.) The plane with the bigger speed
c.) Both planes
d.) Neither plane
6.)What is mass?
a.) Pounds
b.) The amount of matter in an object
c.) The amount of pushing power
d.) Newton's
7.)What is velocity?
a.) Speed only
b.) Direction only
c.) Speed together with direction of motion

8.) What will have more momentum, a group of 3 marbles rolling down a ramp or 1 marble rolling
down an identical ramp? Why?
a.) Neither has more momentum
b.) 1 marble, because the mass is greater
c.) Both marbles
d.) The group of 3 marbles have the more momentum because the mass is greater.
9.) Please consider this question: "Which will be easier to stop-- a 300lb car traveling at 20mph or a
20lb car traveling at 300mph?" Which choice is the correct way to solve this problem?
a.) m*t
You multiply mass and the time and you will get the answer
b.) m*v
You multiply mass and velocity for both cars and you will get the answer.
10.) What do the letters v, t, f and m stand for?
a.) volume, texture, force, Momentum
b.) Vertex, topography, formula, molasses
c.) Velocity, time, force, mass
d.) Motion, tendency, friction, magnetic
11.) A 200lb car moving at the same speed as a 100lb car has a bigger momentum.

50

SEVEN STAR
True or False
12.) A 50lb person moving at 200mph is easier to stop than a 300lb person moving at 16mph.
True or False

Know your vehicle for safe handling

The development of cars
The internal combustion engine
Four strokes
4 cylinders
6 cylinders
8 cylinders
Operation devices and features
CONTROL DEVICES
IGNITION SWITCH
Lock
Off
Acc
On
Start
STEERING WHEEL
Power
Power assist
Manual
GAS PEDAL
BRAKE PEDAL
Disc brakes
Drum brakes
PARKING BRAKE
GEAR SELECTOR (automatic)
P
R
N
D
2
1
GEAR SELECTOR (standard)
CLUTCH PEDAL( standard)
CHOKE CONTROL
Knob
Gas pedal

VISIBILITY DEVICES
MIRRORS
LIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS
TAIL LIGHTS

51

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SIDE LIGHTS
DASHBOARD LIGHTS
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT
WINDSHIELD/WASHER FLUIDS
DEFROSTER
SUN VISORS

COMMUNICATION DEVICES
HORN
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LIGHTS
HAZARD WARNING SIGNALS
BRAKE LIGHTS
REVERSE LIGHTS

INFORMATION DEVICES
GAUGES
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
INDICATOR LIGHTS
COOLANT TEMPERATURE
LOW OIL PRESSURE
HIGH BEAM
BRAKE WARNING
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION
SEAT BELT
DOOR OPEN

52

METERES
ODOMETER
TRIP ODOMETER
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER

PROTECTION DEVICES AND FEATURES

SAFETY
SEAT BELT
SEAT BELT AND THE LAW
HEAD RESTRAINT
AIR BAGS
COMFORT
AIR VENTS
HEATER
AIR CONDITIONER
CRUISE CONTROL
SECURITY
According to Statistics Canada, in 2005, the latest year for which data is available, a total of 39,483 motor
vehicle thefts occurred in Ontario, including more than 16,200 in the city of Toronto alone. Overall, more
than 160,000 vehicles were stolen nationwide.
DOOR LOCKS

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53

STEERING COLUMN LOCK

IGNITION KEY REMINDER
ALARMS
SEAT BELT
CAR CRASHES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
CORRECTLY USED CAR SEATS CAN REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY OR DEATH IN A
COLLISION BY 75 PERCENT.
SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED FOR YOUNG AND LARGER CHILDREN.
A SEAT BELT ALONE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL INJURIES TO A
YOUNG CHILD.
A BOOSTER SEAT IS DESIGNED TO PROPERLY POSITION THE SEAT BELT ACROSS A CHILDS
BODY, REDUCING THE RISK OF INJURY.
INFANTS (UNDER 9 KG( 20 LBS)) REAR-FACING SEAT
TODDLERS ( 9 TO LESS THAN 18 KG( 20-40 LBS ) FORWARD FACING SEAT
PRE-SCHOOL TO 8 YEARS (18-36 KG OR 40-80 LBS WHO HAS STANDING HEIGHT OF LESS
THAN 145 CM OR 49) BOOSTER SEAT.
THE LAW
DRIVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING ALL PASSENGERS UNDER 16 YEARS OF
AGE ARE PROPERLY BUCKLED UP.
DRIVERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE IN THE
APPROPRIATE CHILD CAR SEAT, AND THAT IS PROPERLY INSTALLED.
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 ANYONE TRANSPORTING CHILDREN IN ONTARIO
MUST MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPERLY SECURED IN AN INFANT SEAT, CHILD SEAT,
OR BOOSTER SEAT. THIS APPLIES TO ALL CAREGIVERS, INCLUDING BABYSITTERS
AND GRANDPARENTS.
THE FINE FOR NOT USING A CHILD CAR SEAT AS REQUIRED BY LAW IS $90 PLUS A $20
VICTIM FINE SURCHARGE, AND TWO DEMERIT POINTS.
A CHILD CAN START USING A SEAT BELT ONCE ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
CRITERIA IS MET:
CHILD TURNS EIGHT YEARS OLD
CHILD WEIGHS 36 KG OR 80 LB
CHILD IS 145 CM OR 49

MAINTENANCE YOU CAN DO YOURSELF

Tire pressure: a single tire under-inflated by just 8 spa can lose 15,000 km from its lifespan
and increase fuel consumption by 4%.
Check tread wear: insert pencil or other thin object into the groove between two treads. If
there is less than 1.5 mm of tread left, or the tread wear bars are showing, then you need to
replace the tire.
Air filter: the air filter removes dust and dirt from air being fed into the engine. A clogged air
filter can increase fuel consumption by 10%.
Checking the coolant
Checking the lights
Checking the oil
Checking the washer fluid: top up the washer fluid regularly

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Safety is an important area to consider as you shop for your new car. No one likes to think about getting
involved in an accident, but if the worst does happen, you'll stand a better chance of walking away from it
if your vehicle is properly equipped. Here are 10 tips designed to help you make sure that the vehicle you
buy has the safety features you need:
1.

High crash test scores: these rates how a given vehicle fares in different collision scenarios.
Specifically, look for a four- or five-star crash test rating (for both front and side impacts).

2.

Stability control: These systems use multiple electronic sensors to monitor the driver's intended
path and the actual direction the car is headed. Should the two begin to diverge; the system's
computer will actuate individual brakes and/or reduce engine power to restore control. As well as
these systems work, they cannot overcome the laws of physics and therefore should not be relied
upon to avoid all types of accidents.

3. Navigation system: These electronic atlases not only provide detailed maps down to the street level,
they can also be programmed to give point-to-point driving directions. The latest systems can also
pinpoint gas stations, ATMs as well as restaurants and hotels among other things. Most systems now
use DVD-ROM technology which allows all information to reside on one CD, while older CD-ROM
systems require multiple discs to cover the entire country.
4. Side-impact airbags: Oftentimes, side-impact collisions are the worst, usually involving one car
plowing headlong into the side of another, as when some dimwit runs a red light or stop sign. Unlike a
frontal collision, where the car's crumple zone can help absorb some of the crash's force, a side-impact
collision has only the thickness of the car's door for protection. Side-impact airbags help absorb the
blow and protect the occupants from contact with hard surfaces.
5. Rear parking sensors: This high-tech feature determines how close the vehicle is getting to
anything behind it and provides an audible warning (usually via beeps that increase in frequency) to let
the driver know that he is getting closer and closer to the object(s). Some vehicles also provide a visual
warning as well. Sometimes called park assist, this technology is invaluable for keeping both the
bumper and small children (or for that matter, anyone or anything out of the driver's sight lines) safe.
6. Side curtain airbags (also called "head curtain airbags"): Not to be confused with side-impact
bags, which help protect the torso, the curtain variety is designed to protect the precious noggins of the
vehicle's occupants. Also, they often extend to the rear seats.
7.

Antilock Braking System (ABS): ABS, which prevents a vehicle's wheels from locking up by
automatically and rapidly "pumping" the brakes, has two chief benefits: shorter stopping distances
on slippery surfaces and the maintenance of steering control. A locked-up wheel (or wheels) will
slide, and thus can't be steered, so the chance to steer around a potential collision is lost. Although
ABS has been around for a long time, many drivers still aren't aware of what it feels like when it
kicks in (most systems make noise and vibrate the brake pedal). We recommend that you educate
yourself about the "feel" of ABS before it's needed. For instance, go to a wet, vacant parking lot
after the stores have closed and slam on the brakes several times. Better yet, attend driving school
and get some professional instruction.

8.

Consider not buying an SUV: No, we don't consider sport-utility vehicles evil so hold those emails but conclusive evidence shows that, due chiefly to their higher center of gravity, they are
more prone to rolling over than other family vehicles. Unless you really need that off-road or
heavy hauling/towing ability, think about a minivan or station wagon instead. Not only are they
safer, they're generally less expensive and much easier on fuel.

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9.

Good tires: This one might seem a little obvious, but make sure you've got a good set of tires on
the car. Remember, the tires are literally "where the rubber meets the road" and they are critical in
terms of driving safety. If you're buying a used vehicle and the tires are worn, ask the seller to
replace them or reduce the price by a couple hundred bucks so you can install some good rubber
on the car. And we recommend keeping your wheels aligned and checking your tire pressure once
a month.
10. Cargo netting or cargo cage: Especially important in a station wagon or other vehicles with an
open cargo area in the rear, cargo netting can prevent a kid's toy or heavy luggage from
Ontarios Drive Clean Program
Smog is a serious health-related problem in Ontario and motor vehicles are the single largest domestic
source of smog and a source of several other toxic contaminants.
Smog is bad news for many people, particularly children, the elderly and those with respiratory and
cardiovascular illness. The Ontario Medical Association estimates that smog is responsible for more than 5
900 premature deaths, about 17 000 hospital admissions and more than 60 000 emergency department visits
each year.
Through Drive Clean, vehicle owners have an opportunity to make a positive contribution to the quality of
our air through good vehicle maintenance and by identifying emissions problems so that they can be
corrected.
The advance emissions control technology in todays vehicles and the development of hybrids and alternate
fuel vehicles, along with cleaner fuels, are sharply reducing harmful emissions. However, there will be
vehicles on the road without that advanced technology for many years and even the more advanced
vehicles require regular maintenance to keep them operating cleanly.
A well-maintained vehicle that is using less fuel saves us money at the gas pumps as well as emitting fewer
pollutants. Early identification of emissions problems can also help avoid major repair bills and give us
vehicles that are more reliable, run more smoothly
and will likely last longer on the road.
Light-duty vehicles
The light duty Drive Clean program requires most passenger cars, vans, light trucks under 4500kilograms
and sport utility vehicles to be tested in order to renew the stickers on their licence plates. Vehicles that are
1988 model year and newer require testing every two years beginning in the fifth calendar year after their
model year.
If your plate expires and you delay renewal until the next calendar year, an emission test will still be
required.
An emission test is required for a resale vehicle being licensed for the road for vehicles with a model year
older than the current calendar to protect the consumers against buying a used vehicle with emissions
problems.
Light-duty vehicle exemptions:
All hybrid vehicles (powered by combination of engine and electric motor)
Vehicles of the 1987 model year and older
All vehicles currently designated as historic under the Highway Traffic Act
Light duty commercial farm vehicles
Motorcycles
Kit cars

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How is the Drive Clean test done?

Test is performed on a dynamometer, a treadmill-like device. The vehicle is warmed up to normal operating
temperature. A gas analyzer, connected to the vehicle through a probe in the tail pipe, then measures the
concentrations of oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide while the vehicle is being
driven on the dynamometer and again when the vehicle is idling at the end of the test.
The test results are compared by a commuter to emissions standards for the vehicle and its model year, with
an allowance for vehicle age and wear and tear.
What happens after my Drive Clean test?
You will receive a computer-generated report at the Drive Clean facility. It will state if your vehicle "passes
or fails" and give you an analysis of the pollutants coming from the tailpipe. If your vehicle does not meet
emissions standards, you will receive a fact sheet describing some of the possible causes of failure and
information on what to do next.
Test results are automatically recorded in the province's vehicle registration data base. However, vehicle
owners should bring a copy of their pass report to a licence issuing office or a self-service kiosk when
renewing their registration, in the event there are any questions.
The Drive Clean pass report for your vehicle is valid for registration renewals and ownership transfers for
up to 12 months from the date of the test. The licence expiry date or transfer date must fall within that 12month period.
What will a Drive Clean test cost?
The maximum fee for a light-duty vehicle test or re-test is set by Drive Clean. The most that you can be
charged is $35, plus applicable taxes for the test. If your vehicle fails to meet emissions standards, the
maximum fee for a re-test after repairs is set at $17.50, plus applicable taxes. You are entitled to two retests at the $17.50 rate, if they are performed at the Drive Clean facility where the initial test was
conducted.
What if my vehicle does not meet the emissions standards?
Information from Drive Clean, and more than 30 North American jurisdictions with programs similar to
Ontario's, shows that an average of about 85 per cent of passenger cars and light-duty trucks pass
inspection at their first test. However, if your vehicle fails to meet emissions standards, you will need to
either have the vehicle repaired to obtain a full pass or to comply with the requirements of the Repair Cost
Limit (RCL) and obtain a conditional pass.
You will receive a report indicating your vehicle's emissions results from the test, as well as information on
the most common reasons for failing the test. If you want to take advantage of the Repair Cost Limit (RCL)
to obtain a conditional Drive Clean pass, you must use the services of an accredited Drive Clean facility for
an emissions system diagnostic, repair cost estimates and repairs. However, you may do repairs yourself or
go to any local garage but the RCL will not apply.
The RCL sets a maximum on the amount that you must spend on repairs to qualify for a conditional pass
for registration renewal only. Any other repairs that put the total cost above the RCL may be deferred. If
your vehicle continues to fail its emissions tests for future registration renewals, you may continue to obtain
conditional passes - but you will have to meet the requirements of the RCL each time.

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The RCL does not apply to repairs covered by a manufacturer's warranty or repairs that are required before
a Drive Clean facility will test a vehicle. The conditional pass may not be used to transfer ownership of a
vehicle and plate it for the road, as a protection measure for purchasers of used vehicles.
The RCL varies, depending on where in the Drive Clean program area your vehicle is registered. For full
details on the Repair Cost Limit, contact the Drive Clean Call Centre, visit the Drive Clean web site or ask
an accredited Drive Clean facility for an RCL information card.
What if I disagree with the test results or repairs?
If you disagree with the results of the test or the repairs performed at a Drive Clean facility, you will be
able to contact the Drive Clean Call Centre to get information that may resolve any concerns. If a dispute
cannot be settled, you and the other party may be referred to an independent dispute resolution process.
This dispute resolution process is only available if you deal with Drive Clean facilities.
On-road enforcement with the Smog Patrol.
All vehicles on Ontario's highways - whether registered in Ontario or from out-of-province - are subject to
provisions of the Environmental Protection Act regarding excessive exhaust smoke or emissions control
equipment that has been altered or is missing. The Smog Patrol of the Ministry of the Environment enforces
the act throughout Ontario by conducting roadside inspections and tests of both heavy-duty and light-duty
vehicles.
The Smog Patrol is funded by the Drive Clean program. It includes investigators who are the enforcement
arm of Drive Clean in investigating possible legal infractions at Drive Clean facilities. Vehicle owners are
reminded that a Drive Clean pass or a conditional pass does not exempt a vehicle from the provisions of the
act concerning excess smoke or emissions control equipment. It only shows that a vehicle met Drive Clean
requirements at the time of the test.
Drive Clean makes a difference
Ontario's Drive Clean program is resulting in major reductions of smog-causing pollutants from vehicles.
Ontario's Drive Clean program is concerned with helping us make smart choices about the way we
maintain and drive our vehicles. Driving clean can save you up to 10 per cent in annual fuel consumption
and prolong the life of your vehicle. But more importantly, you will be doing the right thing for the air we
breathe.
The Environmental Protection Act (EPA)

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Can Collision Warning Systems Mitigate Distraction Due to In-Vehicle Devices?

Rear-end collisions account for approximately 28% of automotive crashes. Because driver inattention is a
contributing factor in more than 60% of these collisions, rear-end collision avoidance systems (RECAS)
offer a promising approach to reduce crashes and save lives.
A RECAS is a device that uses electronic sensors (e.g. radar) to detect the motion of a leading vehicle,
compute whether a collision is likely, and trigger an alarm to alert the driver of the impending collision.
The ability of a RECAS is to aid distracted drivers in avoiding an imminent collision.
An early warning helps drivers react more quickly and avoid more collisions compared to late warning or
no warning.
Rear-end collisions cause approximately 157 million vehicle-hours of delay annually, which is
approximately one-third of all crash-caused delay.
Driver inattention has been identified as a contributing factor in over 60% of these crashes. Compared to
driver inattention, environment-related factors have a very small contribution to rear-end collisions.
Specifically, poor visibility was identified as a contributing factor in only 2% of the crashes.
Rear-end collisions are a particularly prevalent crash type for distracted drivers.
Driving requires attentional resources associated with visual perception (e.g., watching the road) and
manual response (e.g., steering and braking).
Visual displays for in-vehicle systems require the same resources, and many researchers and designers have
recognized the potential of visual displays to distract drivers.
Visual displays pose a structural distraction to drivers because they cause drivers to look away from the
road.
Speech-based interaction requires attentional resources associated with auditory perception and vocal
response. Because speech-based interaction (e.g., cellular telephone conversation) requires perceptual and
response resources that are different from those required by the driving task; the driver can keep his eyes on
the road and hands on the wheel. Speech-based interaction does not pose a structural distraction to the
driver; however, speech based interaction may demand common cognitive resources associated with
thinking about the road and the in-vehicle information system, posing a cognitive distraction to the driver.
The two major types of distractions are:

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Structural distraction, which occurs when the driver looks away from the road or takes his hands off the
steering wheel.
Cognitive distraction, which is less obvious and occurs when the drivers cognitive activity is directed away
from the road as in a complex conversation.
Collision warnings may mitigate both the structural and cognitive distraction posed by in-vehicle devices.
Increased driving safety through rear-ends collision warning systems (RECAS):
These systems use electronic sensors (e.g. radar) to detect the motion of a lead vehicle, compute whether a
collision is likely, and trigger warning to alert the driver of the possible collision situation. The goal of
these systems is to alert the driver to a potential collision situation, return the drivers attention to the
roadway, and promote a response that avoids the collision.
What is your interpretation of this article?

Session 04
Driver behaviour

Every driver must take responsibility

You can't change the road conditions. You can't change other drivers. But you can
control your own behaviour. You can drive defensively.
Adjusting driving behaviour for different conditions
Driving attitudes and behaviour
Personal factors and influence
Social factors and influence
Resisting negative pressure
Positive driving attitudes
Impact of driver behaviour on other road users
To protect against aggressive drivers, the Canada Safety Council recommends you
plan ahead before taking trips, consider alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion,
obey the speed limit and always take a courteous attitude toward other drivers. In
addition, try to ensure your car is comfortable on the inside to keep yourself calm on
the road. This includes playing relaxing music and setting the air conditioning or
heat to acomfortable temperature.
Aggressive driving
Definition
Aggressive Driving
What is Aggressive Driving?

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Signs of Aggressive Driving
Road rage
Definition
Road Rage
Fact: 72 per Cent of Canadians blame Road Rage on the stress and frustration of
daily life.
Avoiding road rage

Insurance
No-fault insurance
Guaranteed access to automobile insurance
Drivers with poor driving record
Insurance risk points
Cost of insurance
What to buy?
Insurance offences
Starting and moving the car
Pre-driving habits

Outside checks

Inside checks

CIRCLE CHECK
FLUIDS
FILTH
FRACTURE
FREEDOM
FLAT

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DOORS CLOSED
WINDOWS ARE CLEAN
DASHBOARD
REAR WINDOW LEDGE
LOOSE OBJECTS

Inside adjustments

SEAT ADJUSTMENTS (SITTING THE RIGHT WAY IS VERY

IMPORTANT FOR COMFORT AND SAFETY.THREE THINGS TO
CHECK: POSITION OF YOUR EYES, FEET, AND HANDS.)
HEAD RESTRAINT
MIRROR ( OVERHEAD PROJECTOR TO EXPLAIN HOW TO
KEEP BLIND SPOT MINIMUM )
REAR VIEW
LEFT SIDE MIRROR
RIGHT SIDE
SEAT BELT
NEVER WEAR A SHOULDER BELT WITHOUT THE LAP
BELT

Basic procedure to start the engine

Parking brake is set
Selector lever in park position
Turn key- clockwise towards windshield ON position
Check all lights are working
Turn key START position to crank the engine
Release key
Check whether all the lights disappear except brake light
See any red light, do not drive, get rid of it before driving
Is there enough fuel in the car?
Idling: no more than 30 seconds
Starting a cold engine in cold weather
Using automatic choke by depressing gas pedal once to enrich air-fuel
mixture.
Air:Fuel::9000:1
Starting a flooded engine
Pumping the gas pedal can flood the engine
Slowly depress gas pedal and hold it there while you turn the key
If does not work, let engine stand for several minutes
Moving the car
Moving an automatic transmission car
Press firmly on the brake pedal
Selector lever to drive
Release parking brake
Signal

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Rear-view mirror
Side mirrors
Over shoulder
Pedestrians
Foot off brake pedal
Foot on gas pedal
Take at least 10 seconds to reach 50 km/h
Moving a manual transmission car
Press clutch ( left foot )
Shift lever to first gear
Press foot brake ( right foot )
Release parking brake
Signal
Rear-view mirror
Side mirrors
Over shoulder
Pedestrians
Let up the clutch pedal until friction point
Right foot to gas pedal
Coordinate moving clutch pedal up and gas pedal down
To change gear
Press down the clutch while letting up on the gas pedal
Shift gear
Let clutch up while pressing down the gas pedal ( to match
speed of engine with speed of wheels )
Moving the car on a hill
Special use of parking brake to prevent the car from rolling
backward
Accelerate while releasing the parking brake

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING
Definition
Aggressive Driving
A traffic offence or combination of offences, such as following too closely, speeding or unsafe lane
changes. The trigger for the aggressive driver is usually traffic congestion combined with a
schedule that is nearly

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Impossible to meet.
Tailgating (93 per cent)
Passing on the shoulder of the road (88 per cent)
Making rude gestures (86 per cent)
Pulling into a parking space someone else is waiting
Changing lanes without signalling (75 per cent)

63

for (80 per cent)

What is Aggressive Driving? Aggressive driving is defined as a progression of unlawful

driving actions such as: speeding, improper or excessive lane changing, failing to signal
intent, failing to see that movement can be made safely, or, improper passing (such as
using an emergency lane to pass, or passing on the shoulder). Aggressive drivers know
that you don't know who they are, so they feel like they have more power and can do as
they please. They don't believe there will be consequences to their actions.
Signs of Aggressive Driving: You may not even be aware of it, but if some of the
following items sound like you when you drive, you are probably an aggressive driver:

Expressing frustration, cursing, yelling, gesturing to other drivers.

Not paying attention. Eating, drinking, talking on the phone, reading while
driving.
Frequently changing lanes
Running red lights
Speeding

You can change these driving patterns by concentrating on the issue at hand--driving. Be
calm, drive at the same speed as the cars around you (although this is not a legal excuse
for driving too fast), take less congested or easier routes (making a series of right turns
may be a lot easier than trying to make a left turn through six lanes of traffic), leave
yourself enough time to get where you are going without driving like a maniac, and, if
necessary, decide you'll be a little late and stay calm.
If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, your best course of action is to get out of
his way. Swallow your pride, and let him do whatever he pleases, so he can get away
from you. Resist the urge to not let him pass, or not let him merge. Do not make eye
contact. You don't want to see any gestures he may be using, and you don't want to be
tempted to return the sentiment. This back and forth is exactly what often leads to road
rage
Road Rage
Its a known fact for many years that when we are behind a wheel, we feel in control of not only the
car but of the road that we drive on.
In doing so, this is our first fatal error, which leads to bad driving and irritant fellow drivers and
even, in the worst cases, angry drivers that we hear about in the newspaper who are commonly
referred to as ROAD RAGE.
We do not own the road. We share the road.

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Lets face it, when we drive, the drivers mind is not a blank canvass. There are so many things
crowding our mind that we are constantly multi-tasking.
We are trying to be good drivers, but at the same time, our mind is processing other more personal
thoughts.
Like Oh, I have to be there in 5 minutes or my daughter will be waiting at school. Or If I dont get
to work on time today, Im going to be fired!
Now combine this with other influences, i.e. taking medicine, drugs or alcohol, do you honestly
think that a driver will always drive safely?
This is a rhetorical question.
Now, lets go into this topic in more detail.
What would this lead to?
The ten top things that annoy or irritate or piss off fellow drivers are the following:
- Tailgating
- Changing lanes without using signals or signalling late
- Running through a red or yellow light at an intersection
- Talking on a cell phone while driving
- Speeding
- Honking at drivers
- Rude gestures, like the finger
- Being a hog parker like parking in two spots
- Cutting drivers and then suddenly slowing down
- Pulling up in front of someone and then taking too long to get up to speed
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Blocking the intersection or hogging the lane
- Playing the radio too loud with the windows rolled down
What do those above points demonstrate? What do they have in common?
These drivers are not courteous and they do not follow the traffic laws.
So how does this lead to road rage?
It depends on the other driver that had to experience this irritant. As we mentioned above, when
we are driving, we are multi-tasking, mentally and physically. Depending on the day we are having
and the mood we are in, the above acts will trigger:
1. Mildly irritation
2. Strong annoyance
3. Dangerous Anger
And IF we choose to express/communicate these emotions to the bad driver and how we express
them can lead to road rage. Inadvertently, what may happen is that YOU now are subject to road
rage; and so now YOU are, in return, expressing your feelings in a rude fashion and now you
have become the uncourteous driver.
This can in fact trigger a chain reaction.
Now, what would lead to happy drivers?

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The EXACT OPPOSITE!
DONT:
- Block
- Weave
- Honk
- Speed
- Hog
Acknowledge your mistakes and errors!
One very important way to avoid Road Rage is to avoid EYE CONTACT!
Why? It is scientifically known that eye to eye contact is interpreted as threatening and
challenging. Look straight ahead and do not look the antagonist in the eye!
If the behaviour of the driver becomes increasingly aggressive and dangerous, safely pull off the
road, call 911 with the location, license of the offender, and car type and DO NOT get out of your
car to challenge or pacify them.
You know help is coming so stay put.
What is your interpretation of this article?
List things you can do to annoy other drivers.
1. ___________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________________________
List things you can do to make other drivers happy

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1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
7. ________________________________________________________
8. ________________________________________________________
9. ________________________________________________________
10. ________________________________________________________
No-fault insurance
IN ONTARIO, WE HAVE A NO-FAULT INSURANCE FOR BODILY INJURY.THIS MEANS IF
YOU ARE INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, YOU WILL BE COMPENSATED WHETHER
THE ACCIDENT WAS YOUR FAULT OR NOT.
NO-FAULT DOES NOT MEAN NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND AN AT-FAULT ACCIDENT WILL
INCREASE YOUR PREMIUM.
AN ACCIDENT MAY BE AT-FAULT EVEN IF NO CHARGES ARE LAID BY THE POLICE.

Guaranteed access to automobile insurance

THE LAW GUARANTEES THAT MOST DRIVERS IN ONTARIO CAN GET COVERAGE FROM
INSURANCE COMPANY AT REGULAR MARKET PREMIUMS.

ONLY IF YOUR DRIVING RECORD OR INSURANCE EXPERIENCE GENERATES

4 OR MORE INSURANCE RISK POINTS CAN AN AUTOMOBILE INSURER
REFUSE TO INSURE YOU.
Drivers with poor driving record
TO ENSURE EVERYONE CAN OBTAIN INSURANCE REGARDLESS OF THEIR DRIVING
RECORD, INSURANCE INDUSTRY HAS CREATED THE FACILITY ASSOCIATION (FA).

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FA PROVIDES INSURANCE TO THOSE DRIVERS WHO REPRESENT A HIGH RISK TO

INSURANCE COMPANY.
YOU WILL BE REFERRED TO FA, IF YOUR DRIVING RECORD GENERATES FOUR OR
MORE INSURANCE RISK POINTS.
FA MAY BE YOUR ONLY OPTION IF YOUR RECORD GENERATES FOUR OR MORE
INSURANCE RISK POINTS.
IF YOUR ACCIDENT, CONVICTION OR INSURANCE HISTORY PUTS YOU IN A CATEGORY
OF HIGH RISK DRIVERS , YOU COULD END UP IN THE FA
PAYING A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PREMIUM.

INSURANCE RISK POINTS

Ontario auto insurers have a system of insurance risk points for rating drivers. If you accumulate
more than four insurance risk points, your only option may be to be insured by the FA.
At fault accident
( last 5 years )

Two points where 4 or more years driving experience

Four points with less than 4 years driving experience

Criminal Code convictions

Four points

Major convictions
( last 3 years )
( failing to report an accident,
speeding in school area )

Two points where 4 or more years driving experience

Minor convictions
( last 3 years )
( seat belt infraction, speeding,
illegal turn, fail to yield )

one point where 4 or more years driving experience

You have no evidence of

coverage under an automobile
insurance policy for at least 12
months out of last 24

Four points

Automobile insurance fraud

( no time limit )

Four points

Material misrepresentation
( last 3 years 0

Four points

Cancellation of a policy for

non-payment of premium
( last 3 years )

One point

Four points with less than 4 years driving experience

two points with less than 4 years driving experience

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Cost of insurance

Age
Address
Type of car
Driving history
Gender
How much deductible
A deductible is part of a claim you must pay. Higher deductibles mean lower
premiums but higher financial risk.
Coverage you buy

What to buy?
* means compulsory in Ontario
Liability
Bodily injury *
Property damage *
Accident benefits
Basic benefits *
Optional increased
Uninsured automobile *
Direct compensation-property damage *
(Deductible)
Loss or damage
(Deductible)
Specified perils
Fire, theft or attempted theft, lightning, windstorm,
Hail or rising water, earthquake, explosion, riot,
Falling or forced landing of aircraft
Comprehensive
Falling or flying objects, missiles, vandalism
Collision
Collision with another object or tips over
All perils
Combines collision and comprehensive

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Insurance offences
It is an offence under the Insurance Act to knowingly make a false or misleading
statement or representation to an insurer in connection with the persons entitlement to a
benefit under a contract of insurance, or to wilfully fail to inform the insurer of a material
change in circumstances within 14 days, in connection with such entitlement. The offence
is punishable on conviction by a maximum fine of $100,000 for the first offence and a
maximum fine of $200,000 for any subsequent conviction.
It is an offence under the federal Criminal Code for anyone to knowingly make or use a
false document with the intent it be acted on as genuine and the offence is punishable, on
conviction , by a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
It is an offence under the federal Criminal Code for anyone, be deceit, falsehood or other
dishonest act, to defraud or to attempt to defraud an insurance company. The offence is
punishable, on conviction, by a maximum of 10 years imprisonment for cases involving
an amount over $5000 or otherwise a maximum of 2 years imprisonment.
Canadian drivers and speeding
Overall findings reveal that Canadians view speeding as dangerous, and they associate it
with increased risk of collision, injury and death. Economic impacts (e.g., increased fuel
consumption) are also apparent to most, while potential environmental consequences are
both more difficult to grasp and seen as less significant.
There appears to be little agreement among Canadian drivers regarding road safety
trends. Survey respondents, for example, have mixed views regarding the safety and
security of road travel in Canada (33 per cent feel it is less safe and 27 per cent think it is
safer), while the majority of focus group participants are generally of the view that
driving is becoming less safe. Despite this difference of opinion, many agree that
speeding (47 per cent) and driver distraction (41 per cent) are the main causes of serious
traffic collisions, along with impaired driving (27 per cent). According to Canadian
drivers, four of the top six causes of traffic collisions on Canadian roads stem from
conscious decisions made by those behind the wheel.
Overall, we find that the definition of speeding is elastic, that Canadians perceive
themselves to speed much less than other drivers, and that their assessment and
descriptions of their personal instances of speeding are often relatively benign. Seven in
10 drivers admit to exceeding the speed limit at least occasionally, particularly on
highways (81 per cent). The average speeding amount is 12 kilometres over the limit on
highways, 10 kilometres on two lane highways/country roads and 7 kilometres on
residential streets. From a definitional standpoint, many people believe that while they
might be technically speeding, they are not driving in a way that endangers either
themselves or others. Moreover, one in two drivers (52 per cent) agrees that people
should keep up with the flow of traffic regardless of the speed limit. It is also interesting

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to note that most people believe it is just as dangerous to drive 20 kilometres under the
speed limit, as it is to drive 20 kilometres over it.
Those who have admitted speeding are most likely to do so because they do not want to
be late (57 per cent), because they believe that speed limits are set too low (51 per cent)
or because they are not paying attention to the speed at which they are driving (51 per
cent). Only one in five drivers say that enjoying the feeling associated with driving fast
has been a reason for them to speed (however, both the qualitative research and the
regression analysis suggest that this factor is linked to the more extreme instances of
speeding).
The results of the cluster analysis group Canadians into five distinct cohorts, with about
30 per cent of drivers falling into two groups of people characterized by their tendency to
1) speed more than other drivers, and 2) have less negative attitudes to speeding and its
potential consequences. Drivers belonging to these two groups also travel at higher speed
when they do drive over the limit. One group (the Risk-Takers) seems to want to speed
because they enjoy taking risks and defying authority. In short, they enjoy it and they do
it on purpose. The second group, Pragmatic Speeders, drive over the speed limit for more
practical reasons: they want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. They are
also conscious speeders.
Canadian drivers were also asked cite what they thought to be the main disadvantages of
speeding. Consistent with other survey and qualitative results, we find that an increased
risk of collision (cited by 54 per cent of survey respondents) is mentioned most often.
This is followed by the greater risk of injury in the event of a collision and the risk of
getting a speeding ticket (both cited by roughly one-third of drivers).
While nearly one in five respondents (18 per cent) think that speeding results in the use of
more gas, few (just six per cent) were likely to cite adverse impacts to the environment
(such as climate change and air pollution) as a consequence of driving at high speeds.
Indeed, opinions and knowledge are clouded regarding speeding and its connection to
climate change. While scientific evidence has demonstrated that speeding does indeed
contribute to climate change, only about half of drivers (45 per cent) actually believe this
to be true (and roughly the same proportion 47 per cent say this is false).
Notwithstanding the inclination of drivers to speed despite their awareness of the
potentially negative impacts, there appears to be significant support for measures aimed
at curbing speeding. The results show strongest support for the wider use of electronic
roadside signs that warn drivers if they are speeding (72 per cent of survey respondents
think this is a good idea), as well as in-vehicle electronic systems that indicate speeds
over 110 km/hr (with the qualitative research suggesting an assumption on the part of
many that such equipment would be optional or under the control of the driver). Both
these approaches are seen as relatively innocuous and inexpensive, but also more likely to
be effective with inattentive speeders as opposed to the more conscious and extreme
speeders (i.e., the Risk-Takers and Pragmatic Speeders).

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Many of the other speed reduction strategies are also considered sound. These include
increased police enforcement (67 per cent) and Black Box technology to collect data
for use in the investigation of accidents (62 per cent). (With respect to the latter, however,
the qualitative research suggests its support is based more on its perceived worth as an
accident investigation tool than its deterrent potential.) Lowering speed limits by 10
kilometres on two-lane highways and rural roads garnered the least amount of support
from survey respondents and focus group participants alike: 58 per cent of survey
respondents thought this particular speed reduction strategy was a bad idea, as did the
majority of focus group participants.
There is significant support for a public awareness and education campaign aimed at
reducing speeding, although it is worth reiterating that the qualitative research suggests
that their might be greater support for an integrated campaign aimed at reducing all forms
of dangerous driving, including speeding. To Canadian drivers enforcement appears to be
the most effective to way to curb speeding in the immediate term, but to a significant
group of drivers social marketing represents the best hope for a cultural change that
would see speeding (and other dangerous behaviours) become socially unacceptable, and
as a result, relatively rare.
As previously mentioned, the environmental impacts of speeding tend not to be top of
mind, as a number of indicators reveal (e.g., only 45 per cent agrees that driving over the
speed limit contributes to climate change). Most people are able to make the link with
some prompting given their understanding of the positive correlation between speed and
fuel consumption. This relationship appears crucial from a communications standpoint, in
that messages about environmental impacts appear much more likely to be understood if
they are tied closely to the more significant and resonant messaging about the financial
impacts of speeding, particularly with respect to fuel consumption. Despite a lack of top
of mind knowledge of the environmental impacts of speeding, however, it should be
noted that 81 per cent of survey respondent say they are either extremely interested (55
per cent) or somewhat interested (26 per cent) in receiving information on ways of
reducing the impact that speeding has on the environment.
Suggestions for messaging revolve around the three main categories of negative impacts
of speeding (i.e., health, economic, environmental), conveyed by means of a combination
of emotional and logical appeals. In terms of specific messaging, one of the key
knowledge gaps appears to centre on the relationship between increased speed and risk
(while holding contextual variables such as road surface conditions constant): How much
does ones risk increase when they drive 120kms in a 100kms zone? What about
140kms? From an environmental standpoint, the key question is: What is the magnitude
of the impact that the average Canadian driver (i.e., based on typical driving distances,
types and speeds) has on the environment? How many trees is one killing?
The multivariate analysis suggests that communications efforts should focus on trying to
change the attitudes and behaviour of the Risk-Takers and the Pragmatic Speeders
because they pose the greatest danger. Given that their reasons for speeding are very

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different (and that these groups have very demographic characteristics) communications
efforts should be tailored for each of these audiences. However, it is instructive to note
that both these groups tend to diminish the increased probability of collisions, injuries or
death as a result of driving over the speed limit, suggesting that this could be a common
re-enforcing theme for these efforts.

Session 05
Visual perception
S-SCAN
I-IDENTIFY
P-PREDICT
D-DECIDE
E-EXECUTE
What is visual perception?
Looking far ahead
Scanning pattern
Attention
Imagination
Looking far ahead
MANY EXPERIENCED DRIVERS ARE BAD AT THIS.
MELT(MINIMUM EYE LEAD TIME) 15-20 SECONDS
LOOK AS FAR AS POSSIBLE

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Scanning pattern
TWO QUICK CHECKS ARE BETTER THAN ONE LONG CHECK
REMEMBER YOUR CAR FOLLOWS YOUR EYES

Attention
Toughest job is to keep track of all the things.
Imagination
A defensive driver learns to imagine, what could be happening up there that
I can not see yet?
Strategically driving
Driving strategically
KEY STRATEGIES
1. Looking effectively
2. Space cushion
3. Communication
Looking effectively
Visual system provides most of the information.
Space cushion
You need enough space to stay out of trouble
Keep a safety gap or space cushion all around your car
Ahead
Behind
Either side
The space cushion will let you see clearly in every direction.
This will give you time and space to manoeuvre in order to avoid a collision.
Ahead( Following distance or stopping distance )
Stopping distance =
time + Reaction time + braking time

Perception

Following distance =
time + Reaction time +?

Perception

The greatest risk of a crash is in front of your car.

You need space for

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Perception
Eyes take pictures and send to brain. Brain based on knowledge and
experience, take a decision and send order to foot or hands to do
something.
Time brain needs to do this is perception time.
Average persons average perception time is seconds.
Faster you go more information flood in your brain, therefore brain
slows down so your perception time will be more.
Reaction
Time driver needs to move foot from one pedal to other pedal( from
gas to brake or from brake to gas )
Average persons average reaction time is seconds.
If you are tired, impaired or sleepy, your reaction time will be more.
Braking
Time you need to stop after you hit the brake.
Average braking distance in the city at 50 km/hr is 2 seconds.
Faster you go more will be the braking distance.

Behind
A common danger in city driving is tailgating
Possibility of first out with tailgaters
How many demerit points for following too closely?
This means a car is following too closely behind the one ahead.
Being a tailgater has no advantages.
Tailgating has several disadvantages.
Less distance they can see ahead
More sharply they must steer in order to pass another car
More difficult it is to change lanes
Less chance they will have to swerve around the car ahead if it stops
suddenly.
Less chance they will have of braking in time to avoid hitting the car
ahead if it stops suddenly.
Tailgating is dangerous.
How to get tailgater away?
Try changing lanes, if you can do so safely.
Try moving slightly to right to encourage the tailgater to pass you.
If tailgater is still glued to your bumper, pull off the road at the next exit.
Either side
Blind spot traveler
Never drive in somebodys blind spot and never let any body drive in your
blind spot. Adjust your speed accordingly.
Avoid driving in the lane next to the centre line to prevent a head-on
collision.

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Sometimes there will be oncoming traffic on the left and parked cars on the
right. In this case you should split the difference
What if there is oncoming car on the left and a child is riding a bicycle on the
right? ( do not drive between them. Slow down let car go before passing the
bicycle. Keep your space cushion by handling one danger at a time )
Communication
Make sure other drivers see you.
City driving
Lane change and Blind spot
Blind spot
Mirrors have limits.
Rear-view mirror covers a 55 degree angle of the horizon behind you.
All vehicles have at least two blind spots.
Vans have larger blind spots than cars.
Trucks have three blind spots
Blind area
Lane change
(MSMB)
MIRROR
How fast, how far
SIGNAL
Show your intention
MIRROR
Again. Why?
BLIND SPOT
Before start moving. Not while you are moving.
Sharing the in a safe and considerate manner
Respecting other road-users
Understanding other road-users needs
City hazards
Intersections

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Motorcycles
Harder to see because of their size
they are less protected, they are more likely to be injured in a
collision
Motorcycles use a full lane; treat them like other vehicles
when driving
Emergency vehicles
Pedestrians
Pedestrians cross over
Transit buses
Street cars
Bicycles
Off-street areas
One-way streets
Police officers
School zones
School buses

Pedestrians
Pay special attention to pedestrians.
Pedestrians cross over
Pedestrian crossovers are designated areas that allow pedestrians to safely
cross roads where there are no traffic lights.
Do not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover
Bicycles
Cyclists need a metre on either side of themselves as a safety zone.
One-way street
Two-way road to a one-way road.
Turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the left curb lane.
One-way road to a two-way road.
Turn from the left curb lane to the lane just right of the centre line. Then,
when you can, move into the right curb lane.
One-way road to a one-way road.
Turn from the left curb lane to the left curb lane.
Police officers
School zones

SEVEN STAR
Stopping at school crossings
Emergency vehicles
Approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with red lights flashing

Review road signs

Shapes and colors of signs
8 sided octagon
5 sided pentagon
4 sided square, rectangle, diamond
3 sided
yellow
orange
Black and white
Blue
Green
Green circle and red circle
Accident statistics and Collision factors
Road safety is no accident.
Driver errors cause 85% of collisions.
Most common driver errors are:
Every year collisions kill 3000 people and injure 90,000.
Every eight hours one person dies.
Every six minutes someone is injured.
Collisions cost Ontario $9 billion every year.
Canada Road Traffic Crash Car Accidents.
If all drivers drove predictably, courteously and artfully, there would be
very few accidents. However the unfortunate truth is that the number of
traffic accidents continues to be very high.
Victims by age group

77

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Why young drivers are more likely to have accidents?

Learning to drive responsibly requires constant practice.
Driving is a very demanding task.
ROAD CRASHES AND CANADIAN YOUTH
Road crashes are the number one cause of teen death in Canada.
Collision factors for new drivers
Remedies
Consequences of traffic accidents
A single traffic accident can change your life forever.

Medical
Legal
Financial
Social

How to make roads safer?

AS A RESPONSIBLE, LAW ABIDING CITIZEN WHAT WILL YOU DO TO REDUCE
ACCIDENTS AND MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER FOR EVERY ONE?

What is visual perception?

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU SEE AND THINK WHAT YOU SAW.
YOUR EYES TAKE PICTURE AND SEND THAT PICTURE TO BRAIN. BRAIN STARTS
ANALYSING AND GET THE SOLUTION, BASED ON WHAT?
BASED ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PAST EXPERIENCE.
VISUAL PERCEPTION IS ALSO YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PAST EXPERIENCE.
VISUAL PERCEPTION IS NOT BORN THING. ITS LIKE ANY OTHER ART. YOU WANT TO DRAW
A HORSE AND NEVER DRAW BEFORE, WILL IT LOOK LIKE A HORSE THE FIRST TIME YOU
DRAW, NO, PROBABLY IT WILL LOOK LIKE ALIEN ANIMAL.BUT KEEP TRYING ONE DAY IT
WILL LOOK LIKE A HORSE.
SAME WAY YOU HAVE TO DEVELOP VISUAL PERCEPTION BY

Looking far ahead

Scanning pattern
Attention
Imagination

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Looking far ahead

MANY EXPERIENCED DRIVERS ARE BAD AT THIS.
MELT (MINIMUM EYE LEAD TIME) 15-20 SECONDS
LOOK AS FAR AS POSSIBLE

The centre of the scanning pattern should be up where you are going to be in 15-20
seconds, or as far ahead as you can see.
Its important to centre your vision way out ahead, so you can tell what is going on a long
time before you get to it.
This gives you plenty of time to decide what to do about some problem on the road.
Looking far ahead also makes your vision more sensitive to where your car is pointed.
This makes your steering control smoother.
You can also see traffic well ahead so your speed control and choice of lanes are better.
You can get advance warning of traffic stopping by checking the brake lights of cars well
out ahead. If you just watch the car directly ahead of you, every stop is a surprise.
You have to make some effort to learn it.
Scanning pattern
Keep your eyes moving in a sensible pattern.
While driving keep checking
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Pattern (each cycle)
1. Centre
2. RVM
3. _____
4. LSM
5. _____
6. RSM
7. _____
8. IP
A common mistake is to keep focused on one thing for too long.
TWO QUICK CHECKS ARE BETTER THAN ONE LONG CHECK
Your eyes should not stay on one thing for more than two seconds.

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REMEMBER YOUR CAR FOLLOWS YOUR EYES

Attention
Switching attention is very important for safe driving.
You have to learn to control your attention.
Drivers toughest job is to learn how to keep track of all the things that could be
important.
You have to train your brain to pay attention to the right things.
Human brain can pay attention to only one thing at a time. When you are driving, you can
not pay attention too long to any one thing, because something else can develop into a
problem while youre ignoring it.
You have to learn to keep switching your attention, and directing your eyes to check out
all the different things that can be important.
You need to develop good habits so that your eyes will pick up important things around
you even when you are not concentrating on your vision.
Imagination
To best direct your attention and scanning in any particular situation you have to use
some imagination.
A good driver learns to imagine, what could be happening up there that I can not see
yet?
With experience this should become automatic, so that you do not have to think about it.
When you are driving, things can pop out in front of you or emergency situations can
develop very quickly. Most of the time though, there are clues that can be seen ahead of
time.
You have to check side roads, driveways, and every place from which something could
move into your lane.
Smith system
1) Aim high in steering
2) Get a big picture
3) Keep your eyes moving
4) Keep yourself an out
5) Make sure they see you

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Complete the table, assuming good road conditions, you are physically fit and brakes are
fairly good
Speed limit
(km/hr)

City

50

Highway

80

Freeway

100

Perception
time

Reaction time

Braking time

Car length
space

Driving requires attentional resources associated with visual perception (e.g., watching
the road) and manual response (e.g., steering and braking).
Visual displays for in-vehicle systems require the same resources, and many researchers
and designers have recognized the potential of visual displays to distract drivers.
Visual displays pose a structural distraction to drivers because they cause drivers to look
away from the road.
Speech-based interaction requires attentional resources associated with auditory
perception and vocal response. Because speech-based interaction (e.g., cellular telephone
conversation) requires perceptual and response resources that are different from those
required by the driving task; the driver can keep his eyes on the road and hands on the
wheel. Speech-based interaction does not pose a structural distraction to the driver;
however, speech based interaction may demand common cognitive resources associated
with thinking about the road and the in-vehicle information system, posing a cognitive
distraction to the driver.
The two major types of distractions are:
Structural distraction, which occurs when the driver looks away from the road or takes
his hands off the steering wheel.
Cognitive distraction, which is less obvious and occurs when the drivers cognitive
activity is directed away from the road as in a complex conversation.
Collision warnings may mitigate both the structural and cognitive distraction posed by invehicle devices.
Increased driving safety through rear-ends collision warning systems (RECAS):
These systems use electronic sensors (e.g. radar) to detect the motion of a lead vehicle,
compute whether a collision is likely, and trigger warning to alert the driver of the
possible collision situation. The goal of these systems is to alert the driver to a potential
collision situation, return the drivers attention to the roadway, and promote a response
that avoids the collision.

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What is your interpretation of this article?

Hazard perception and driving experience among novice drivers
The crash risk of novice drivers decreases rapidly during the first few months of postlicensing driving, indicating that some important safety-relevant traffic skills are learnt
during this period. The present study tested the hypothesis that the risk decrease is related
to improved hazard perception skills. A video-based hazard perception/reaction test,
measuring reaction times to 31 traffic scenes, was administered to three groups of drivers,
having held a licence for 1, 5, and 9 months, respectively, and to a group of drivers who
had held their licences for several years. Average reaction times tended to decrease with
experience, but the decrease was not significant. There were some significant differences
in the expected direction for individual test items, indicating a possible effect of
experience. One half of the situations were presented together with a secondary task, in
order to investigate effects of increased mental load on hazard perception. Male novice
drivers had relatively longer reaction times with the secondary task, compared to both
female novice drivers and male experienced drivers.
Make a List of all the City hazards

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________

Pedestrians
Pay special attention to pedestrians, whether they are crossing roads in traffic, walking or
jogging alongside roads, or using crosswalks or crossovers (generally known as
crossings). Watch for children. Drive slowly and cautiously through school zones,
residential areas and any other area where children may be walking or playing. You never
know when a child might dart out from between parked cars or try to cross a street
without checking for oncoming traffic. Be very cautious at twilight when children may
still be playing outside, but are very difficult to see. Watch out for Community Safety
Zone signs as they indicate areas where the community has identified that there is a
special risk to pedestrians.
Elderly pedestrians or those with disabilities need extra caution and courtesy from drivers
as they may be slow in crossing the road. Be alert for pedestrians who are blind, visually
impaired, hearing impaired, people in wheelchairs or people walking slowly due to some
other physical impairment and give them appropriate consideration. Pedestrians who are
blind or visually impaired may use a white cane or guide dog to help them travel safely
along sidewalks and across intersections. Caution signs are posted in some areas where
there is a special need for drivers to be alert.
Persons operating mobility devices (motorized wheelchair and medical scooters) are
treated the same way as pedestrians. Usually these operators will travel along a sidewalk
but if there is no sidewalk available, persons using mobility device should travel, like
pedestrians, along the left shoulder of the roadway facing oncoming traffic.
Some streetcar stops have a special safety island or zone for passengers getting on and
off. Pass these safety islands and zones at a reasonable speed. Always be ready in case
pedestrians make sudden or unexpected moves.
Pedestrians cross over
Pedestrian crossovers (also commonly called crosswalks) are designated areas that allow
pedestrians to safely cross roads where there are no traffic lights. Always watch for
pedestrians and people using wheelchairs at these crossings. Pedestrians may push a
button to make overhead yellow lights flash to warn drivers. Pedestrians should point
across the road to show they want to cross before entering the roadway. Drivers,
including cyclists, must stop and allow pedestrians to cross. Once people have cleared
your side of the road, you can proceed with caution.
Do not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover
Bicycles
Bicycles and mopeds that cannot keep up with traffic are expected to keep to the right of
the lane; however, they can use any part of the lane if necessary for safety, such as to
avoid potholes and sewer grates. Cyclists need a metre on either side of themselves as a
safety zone. When passing a cyclist, allow at least one metre between your car and the
cyclist.
If the lane is too narrow to share, change lanes to pass the cyclist. When turning right,
signal and check your mirrors and the blind spot to your right to make sure you do not cut

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off a cyclist. When parked on the side of the street, look behind you and check your
mirrors and blinds spots for a passing cyclist before opening a door.
One-way street
Two-way road to a one-way road.
Turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the left curb lane.
One-way road to a two-way road.
Turn from the left curb lane to the lane just right of the centre line. Then, when you can,
move into the right curb lane.
One-way road to a one-way road.
Turn from the left curb lane to the left curb lane.
Police officers
When police officers are directing traffic, you must follow their directions, even if the
directions are different from traffic lights or signs.
When a police officer signals you to pull your vehicle over, you must pull over as far to
the right as you safely can and come to a complete stop. Stay in your vehicle and wait for
the police officer. You must immediately, upon the police officer's request, surrender your
driver's licence, vehicle permit (or copy) and insurance. Contrary to popular belief, you
do not have 24 hours to present these documents. If you do not obey a police officer's
direction to pull over, you risk being fined (up to $25,000), having your licence
suspended or even serving time in prison.
School zones
Stopping at school crossings
Where a school crossing guard displays a red and white stop sign you must stop before
reaching the crossing and remain stopped until all persons, including the school crossing
guard, have cleared your half of the roadway and it is safe to proceed. If you have any
doubts on when it is safe to drive forward, wait until all the children and the guard have
cleared the crossing. Drivers who don't follow the stopping requirements may be fined
between $150 and $500 and get 3 demerit points.
Emergency vehicles
When you see the flashing lights or hear the bells or sirens of an emergency vehicle
approaching from either direction, you must immediately slow down, move as far to the
right side of the roadway as you safely can, and stop. Remember to use your signals and
check your mirrors and over your shoulders for other traffic before pulling over and
stopping.
Do not stop in an intersection. If you cannot safely pull over before you enter an
intersection, drive through. Once you have cleared the intersection, signal, and move as
far to the right of the roadway as you safely can, and stop.
Approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with red lights flashing

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When you see an emergency vehicle stopped with its red lights flashing in a lane or on
the shoulder in your direction of travel, you must slow down and pass with caution. If the
road has two or more lanes, you must move over into another lane to allow one lane
clearance between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle, if it can be done safely.
Failing to follow these rules can result in a conviction and a fine and demerit points on
your driving record.
Transit priority signals
Traffic and pedestrians must yield to public transit vehicles at a transit priority signal. The
round signal is on top of a regular traffic signal and shows a white vertical bar on a dark
background. This allows transit vehicles to go through, turn right or left, while all
conflicting traffic faces a red light.
Blank traffic lights
During an electrical power loss, traffic lights at intersections will not work. Yield the
right-of-way to vehicles in the intersection and to vehicles entering the intersection from
your right. Go cautiously and use the intersection the same way you would use an
intersection with all-way stop signs.
Traffic beacons
A traffic beacon is a single flashing light hung over an intersection or placed over signs or
on obstacles in the road.

Flashing red beacon

A flashing red beacon above an intersection or stop sign means you must come to a
complete stop. Move through the intersection only when it is safe to do so.

Flashing yellow beacon

A flashing yellow beacon above an intersection, above a warning sign or
on an obstruction in the road, warns you to drive with caution.
Pedestrian signals
Pedestrian signals help pedestrians cross at intersections with traffic lights. The signal for
pedestrians to walk is a white walking symbol. A flashing or steady orange hand symbol
means pedestrians must not begin to cross.
A pedestrian facing a walk signal may cross the road in the direction of the signal. While
crossing, pedestrians have the right-of-way over all vehicles. A pedestrian facing a

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flashing or steady hand symbol should not begin to cross the road. Pedestrians who have
already begun to cross when the hand signal appears, should go as quickly as possible to
a safe area. While they are crossing, pedestrians still have the right-of-way over vehicles.
At intersections with traffic lights where there are no pedestrian signals, pedestrians
facing a green light may cross. Pedestrians may not cross on a flashing green light or a
left-turn green arrow.
Fully protected left turn
Some intersections have separate traffic lights for left-turning traffic and for traffic going
through the intersection or turning right.
When a left-turn green arrow appears for traffic in the left-turn lane, traffic going straight
ahead or turning right will usually see a red light. You may turn left from the left-turn
lane when you face a green arrow. Vehicles from the opposite direction may also be
turning left.
After the left-turn green arrow, a yellow light appears for left-turning vehicles only.
After the yellow light, a red light appears for left-turning vehicles only. Traffic going
straight ahead or turning right will face a green light or green arrows pointing straight
ahead and to the right.

In these intersections, you may not begin turning left after the green light appears for
traffic going straight ahead or turning right. If the light turns yellow while you are in the
intersection, complete your turn with caution.
Pavement markings
Pavement markings combine with road signs and traffic lights to give you important
information about the direction of traffic and where you may and may not travel.
Pavement markings divide traffic lanes, show turning lanes, mark pedestrian crossings,
indicate obstacles and tell you when it is not safe to pass.
Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic
travelling in the same direction.
A solid line at the left of your lane means it is unsafe to pass. ('A' should not pass.)
A broken line at the left of your lane means you may pass if the way is clear. ('A' may
pass if there are enough broken lines ahead to complete the pass safely.)
Broken lines that are wider and closer together than regular broken lines are called
continuity lines. When you see continuity lines on your left side, it generally means the
lane you are in is ending or exiting and that you must change lanes if you want to

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continue in your current direction. Continuity lines on your right mean your lane will
continue unaffected.
A stop line is a single white line painted across the road at an intersection. It shows where
you must stop. If there is no stop line marked on the road, stop at the crosswalk, marked
or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk,
stop at the edge of the intersection.
A crosswalk is marked by two parallel white lines painted across the road. However,
crosswalks at intersections are not always marked. If there is no stop line, stop at the
crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no
sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
A white arrow painted on a lane means you may move only in the direction of the arrow.
A pedestrian crossover is marked by two white double parallel lines across the road with
an X in each lane approaching it, and overhead yellow lights. Stop before the line and
Yield to pedestrians.
Two solid lines painted on the pavement guide traffic away from fixed objects such as
bridge piers or concrete islands. Yellow and black markings are also painted on the
objects themselves as warnings.
Collision factors for new drivers
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Why young drivers are more likely to have accidents?
Learning to drive responsibly requires constant practice.
Driving is a very demanding task.
New drivers lack of experience and the novelty of driving may lead to make unsafe
decisions or to react incorrectly in an emergency.
New driver who has been drinking is running an increased risk.
Young drivers are the most likely to have accidents.
Drinking drivers are the most likely to have fatal accidents.
Young, drinking drivers are really stacking the odds against themselves.
ROAD CRASHES AND CANADIAN YOUTH
Road crashes are the number one cause of teen death in Canada.
45% of teens killed on the road have been drinking.
20% of high school students in the last year drove after smoking cannabis.
Male drivers account for 87% of teen impaired driving deaths and 89% of injuries, while
girls are more likely to be killed or injured as passengers.
Most young people see cannabis as a benign drug, far less dangerous than alcohol. They
think driving under the influence of pot is risk free.
Clinical evidence shows that smoking pot can produce unwelcome effects behind the
wheel, including a shorter attention span, an altered perception of time and distances, and
slower reaction times that impair that the drivers ability to respond to sudden events in
traffic.
Why young drivers are more likely to have accidents?

____________________________

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Most common driver errors are:

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Consequences of traffic accidents

A single traffic accident can change your life forever.

Medical
Most serious medical consequence of traffic accidents is death. Even less serious
accidents can cause a lot of pain and suffering. Some victims suffer brain damage,
some are paralyzed for life. Less serious but painful are whiplash which require
costly physiotherapy.
Legal
If someone is killed or injured, you can be convicted of criminal negligence or
dangerous driving. These Criminal Code convictions remain with you as a
criminal record.
Financial
Financial consequences of accidents are enormous.
Medical expenses, legal costs, car repairs, loss of work time.
Social
Social costs of accidents are impossible to measure. If a friend or family member
is ever killed or disabled, the emotional pain can be enormous.
If you are the driver responsible for death, the guilt you will feel can last forever.

How to make roads safer?

AS A RESPONSIBLE, LAW ABIDING CITIZEN WHAT WILL YOU DO TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS
AND MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER FOR EVERY ONE?

1.

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MEDICATION, FATIGUE AND STRESS WILL ALSO AFFECT YOUR DRIVING.
2.

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DONT FORGET MOMENTUM AND FORCE OF IMPACT.

3.

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LOWER YOUR SPEED WHEN ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POOR.

4.

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DO NOT CUT PEOPLE OFF, MAKE SUDDEN LANE CHANGES, OR RUN AMBER
LIGHTS.

5.

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A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE IS A SAFE AND FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLE.

6.

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IF IN DOUBT LET THE OTHER DRIVER GO FIRST.

7.

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ROOM TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY.

8.

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PULL OVER TO TALK.

9.

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CARS CAN CREEP UP.

10.

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TO STAY IN CONTROL.

Who is at Fault?
If automobile A is stopped or is in forward motion, the driver of automobile A is
_____ per cent and the driver of automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the
incident.

90

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If automobile A is turning, either to the right or to the left, in order to enter a side road,
private road or driveway, the driver of automobile A is _____ per cent and the driver of
automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the incident.

If automobile A is turning, either to the right or to the left, in order to enter a side road,
private road or driveway, the driver of automobile A is _____ per cent and the driver of
automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the incident.

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If automobile A is in forward motion and is entering a parking place on either the right
or the left side of the road, the driver of automobile A is ______ per cent and the driver
of automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the incident.

If the automobile B is leaving a parking place and automobile A is passing the

parking place, the driver of automobile A is _____ per cent and the driver of
automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the incident.

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If the incident occurs when automobile B is entering a road from a private road or a
driveway and automobile A is passing the private road or driveway and, if there are no
traffic signals or signs, the driver of automobile A is _____ per cent and the driver of
automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the incident.

If automobile A collides with automobile B on a controlled access road while

automobile B is entering the road from an entrance lane, the driver of automobile A
is _____ per cent and the driver of automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the
incident.

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If automobile A collides with automobile B on a controlled access road while

automobile B is entering the road from an entrance lane, the driver of automobile A
is _____ per cent and the driver of automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the
incident.

If the automobile B is changing lanes, the driver of automobile A is _____ per cent
and the driver of automobile B is _____ per cent at fault for the incident.

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If the automobile A is turning left at a private road or a driveway and automobile B

is passing one or more automobiles stopped behind automobile A, the driver of
automobile A is _____ per cent and the driver of automobile B is _____ per cent at
fault for the incident.

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Parking Lot Accident

Who is at Fault?
Parking lot accidents are both confusing and can result in large disagreements between
parties. There really are no set laws while in the parking lot of many malls and shops, so
when a parking lot collision occurs, many disagreements can result when dealing with
fault. This is because parking lots, are generally private property so normal road laws do
not fully apply.
In determining fault, the main indicator is how the accident occurred. If the collision
occurs while someone is backing out of a stall, usually it is the person backing, who is at
fault, and has the responsibility to yield to on-coming traffic. This will however differ,
depending on where the impact occurs. If they back into you, then they are almost always
liable for the damage.
However, if you hit the car that is backing up, you may be found partially or fully liable.
The further 'up' the collision occurs (closer to the front of the backing car) the more at
liability wil be placed on the no-backing up car.
If you are involved in a parking lot collision, gather as much information as possible. Did
his reverse lights come on? Did he honk before backing up (in reality who does? but this
is what they teach you to do in driver's Ed.). Be sure to gather all witness reports, so that
you can back up your side of the story.
The majority of the time, one driver is usually never found fully liabile in a parking lot
accident. Fault is usually split between the parties, sometimes equally, sometimes not
equal, which is why it is very important to get as much information and witness reports as
soon as possible.
Q: My daughter was recently involved in a car accident at an intersection where she was
waiting to turn left. She was stopped in the intersection and when the light turned to red,
she turned. A car coming the other way went through the red light and hit my daughter.
Fortunately, nobody was hurt however we're being told by our insurance company that
she is partially at fault even though she was not charged with any traffic offence. Is that
true?
A: I am often presented with an accident scenario then asked the question: who is at fault? Fault is
established for two very different reasons and by two very different groups. The Ontario Court of Justice,
civil division, establishes liability with respect to any financial compensation sought through the civil law
suit process and insurance companies assess their own version of 'fault' for the purpose of settling insurance
claims before they become a civil matter and also to evaluate any future changes insurance premiums or the
policies.

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The important message here and one often misunderstood by drivers, is the fact police officers do not
assess fault when investigating motor vehicle collisions. The role of the police officer is to attend a
collision scene, ensure medical resources are provided for any injured persons and to conduct an
investigation for the purpose of establishing if any laws have been broken (criminal or traffic related) and
to complete the standard Ministry of Transportation Collision Report.
The officer will take statements from all the drivers involved as well as any witnesses and will take
measurements and photographs as required to fulfill those two duties. At the conclusion of the
investigation, the officer needs to establish if reasonable grounds exist to lay a charge and if so, a traffic
ticket may be given at the scene or a court summons may be served at a later date because often a collision
investigation cannot be completed at the time. In this particular case, it seems both drivers may have
committed offences in relation to the accident described. Without assessing any financial fault, both drivers
were certainly facing specific responsibilities under different sections of the Highway Traffic Act.
The first driver had a clear responsibility under section 144 of the Highway Traffic Act to bring his or her
vehicle to a full and complete stop upon facing a red traffic signal. While it may appear the second driver
(the one turning left) did nothing wrong, there is still an onus placed upon a driver intending to turn left or
right at an intersection to ensure the move can be made safely. In fact, section 141(5) of the Highway
Traffic Act states: "no driver or operator of a vehicle in an intersection shall turn left across the path of a
vehicle approaching from the opposite direction unless he or she has afforded a reasonable opportunity to
the driver or operator of the approaching vehicle to avoid a collision". Both the red light and the turning
offences carry an accumulation of demerit points in addition to any fines that may be imposed.
Now, while it may seem on the surface the 'red light runner' was the sole cause and although no charges
were seemingly laid by the police, the truth of the matter is both drivers had a shared responsibility under
the Highway Traffic Act to ensure they could pass through the intersection in safety. As for 'fault', I am
afraid that decision lies with either the Courts or the insurance adjusters to determine.

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Session 06
Turning around
Going around the block
Safest way of turning around but not very efficient way
U-Turn
Easiest way of turning around but not safer.
Two point turn
Where?
Three point turn
Most complex, most time consuming, most dangerous
Reduce risk. How?
Parking
Parallel parking
If learn properly, its piece of cake
Right signal before you stop beside parked car
Left blind spot check before you begin
Ping-pong check?
Controlled speed
Remember faster you go less time you will have to observe, think and make
corrections.
Slower you go more time you will have to observe, think and make
corrections.
Plaza parking
Face in
Back in

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My personal choice is back-in. Whats yours? And Why?

One way street

Right turn
Left turn
One way to one way
One way to two way
Two way to one way
Adverse conditions
Poor driving conditions
Driving under clear skies and at moderate temperature is not possible all the
time.

Winter (Session 8)
Bad weather
Night

Poor physical conditions

Fatigue
Sickness
Bad mood
Too excited
Driving at night
Driving at night is less safe than driving during the day because it is harder to
see.
People adapt easily to light, but not to darkness.
The ability to identify objects is reduced at night.
When the sun goes down, you have to rely on headlights, street lights and
roadside reflectors to help you find your way.
They allow you to see only a fraction of what you can see during daylight
hours.
Extra perception time
Extra reaction time
Space cushion
Over driving your headlight
Headlights:
Under ideal conditions

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Low beam 45 m
High beam 135 m
In true driving conditions
Law and the headlight:
Cars equipped with daylight:
Your stopping distance is more than what you can see in your headlight
Dangerous side effect of reflectorized signs
Headlight glare
Glare from oncoming car
Glare from approaching car from behind
DRIVING MANOEUVRES AT NIGHT
Night time driving is always hazardous than day time driving.
This is because it is harder to see and people are usually more tired at night.
They may be less aware of whats going on around them.
Combination of being less alert and being unable to see or be seen can be
deadly.
Turning
Meeting oncoming cars
passing
Driving in bad weather
Fog
low beam or high beam
Strong winds
frequent steering adjustment
Flooded road
Wet brakes and need to be dried out.
Rain
Little bit of rain can be more dangerous than a heavy rain.
Hydroplaning?
A layer of water builds between the tires and the road surface.
A floating effect.
Hydroplaning can be remedied by decreasing speed.

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Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. Cars
parked in parallel are in one line, parallel to the curb , with the front bumper of each
car facing the back bumper of an adjacent one. Parallel parking always has the car
parallel to the curb and other cars. The car must be reversed and driven to be considered a
full parallel park. Roads that facilitate said parking have an extra lane or a large shoulder
for parked cars. I.
Parallel parking is considered to be one of the hardest skills for new drivers to learn.
Parallel parking allows the vehicle to park into a smaller space. Driving forward into a
parallel parking space is not typically possible unless two adjacent spots are free.
Reversing into the spot via the parallel parking technique accomplishes the manoeuvre in
a single parking spot length.
Beginning drivers who use reference points for alignment, angle, and when to turn the
wheel the opposite way find the procedure much easier to learn. They find it easier to
briefly stop at each reference point and turn for the next step. They find it easier to learn
by going back straight after the angle before turning the wheel to the opposite way to
curve into the curb. The parking is more reproducible when turning to lock and only
looking at the wheel for verification when going back straight.
In the early 21st century, car manufacturers are addressing this need by introducing
automatic parking .

Procedure for entering a parking space

1. Signal into the space.
2. Ensure that your desired parking space is about 2 meters (~~6 feet ) longer
than your vehicle (although some highly skilled drivers are capable of parking in
spaces that are within 0.3 m (one foot) of their vehicle length. A skilled driver can
also park in space that the car barely fits, by going back and forth once the car's
tail is in.)
3. Line up your vehicle beside the vehicle in front of the parking space.
4. Turn the steering wheel one turn towards the curb and put your car into reverse.
5. Back up the vehicle so that your rear bumper is first to enter the parking space.
6. Once the vehicle is at 45 to the parking spot, slow down and turn the steering
wheel all the way, to the road side.
7. Continue backing up until the rear of the vehicle is near the curb.
8. Gradually turn the steering wheel towards the curb to curve your vehicle into a
straight position.
9. Brake once your vehicle occupies the middle of the parking space.
It is generally considered to be rude, if not illegal, to not leave sufficient space for
neighbouring vehicles to steer out of the parallel parking line, to park too far from the
curb, or to leave too much space between you and the neighboring vehicles.
Unless the car's front and back are shaped in an arc that matches the pivoting arc around

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the back wheel it is unlikely that a car can be parked within 0.3 m (one foot) of the
vehicle length. Turning the wheel all the way to lock after lining up your vehicle can
enable you to park in a smaller space when aligned with the vehicle in front at the same
spot. The optimal alignment with the front vehicle will vary with the distance between
your vehicle and the front vehicle. The farther away, the farther forward you can go.
The optimal angle to the parking spot will vary with how long your car is, how far it is
between your back bumper and back tire, and how far you start from the curb when it is
parallel to the curb. This angle varies between 30 and 45 degrees. Without reference
points it is very difficult to estimate an angle within 5 degrees. After getting the back tire
close enough with the angle and straight, the car is brought back to parallel by two basic
adjustment steps. They are backing to the curb by turning away from the curb . If the
back tire touches or is too close the tire is turned toward the curb when going forward

Reverse Parking with the APGS (Advanced Parking Guidance System)

1. Pull up next to the parking space. Move forward and turn your car, positioning
it in place for backing into the reverse parking spot. The vehicle rear should be
facing the reverse parking spot, allowing the backup camera to 'see' the parking
area.
2. Shift to reverse. This will automatically activate the backup camera system.
3. Select the reverse park guidance button on the navigation/camera touch
screen. A grid will appear with green or red lines, a flag symbol representing the
corner of the parking spot, and adjustment arrows.
4. Check the parking space and engage the reverse park procedure. If the space
is large enough to park, the box will be green in color. If the box is incorrectly
placed, or lined in red, use the arrow buttons to move the box until it turns green.
5. If the parking space is correctly identified, press OK. Take your hands off the
steering wheel, while keeping your foot on the brake pedal.
6. Slowly release the brake, while keeping your foot on the brake pedal. The car
will then begin to back up and steer itself into the parking space. If at any time the
steering wheel is touched or the brake firmly pressed, the system will disengage.
The vehicle also cannot exceed a set speed, or the system will deactivate.

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7. "The guidance is finished." When the car's computer voice issues this
statement, the APGS system has finished parking your car. You can now shift to
drive and pull forward to make adjustments in the space if necessary.

Parallel Parking with the APGS (Advanced Parking Guidance System)

1. Pull up alongside the parking space. Move forward until your vehicle's rear
bumper passes the rear wheel of the car parked in front of the open space.
2. Shift to reverse. This will automatically activate the backup camera system,
and the car's rear view will appear on dash navigation/camera touch screen
display.
3. Select the parallel park guidance button on the navigation/camera touch
screen. A grid will appear with green or red lines, a flag symbol representing the
corner of the parking spot, and adjustment arrows.
4. Check to see if the representative box on the screen correctly identifies the
parking space. If the space is large enough to park, the box will be green in color.
If the box is incorrectly placed, or lined in red, use the arrow buttons to move the
box until it turns green.
5. If the parking space is correctly identified, press OK. Take your hands off the
steering wheel, while keeping your foot on the brake pedal.
6. Slowly release the brake, while keeping your foot on the brake pedal. The car
will then begin to back up and steer itself into the parking space. If at any time the
steering wheel is touched or the brake firmly pressed, the system will disengage.
The vehicle also cannot exceed a set speed, or the system will deactivate.
7. "The guidance is finished." When the car's computer voice issues this
statement, the APGS system has finished parking your car. You can now shift to
drive and pull forward to make adjustments in the space if necessary.
Automatic garage parking
"The fully automatic garage parking assistant is a vehicle system which enables a vehicle
to drive into a garage fully automatically. In order to enable this, we of course have to
know where the vehicle is positioned relative to the garage. To this end, there is a camera
mounted on the windscreen pointing ahead at the garage. On the back wall of the garage
we attach a so-called lenticular reflector. This lenticular reflector gives us two pieces of
information: firstly the distance of the vehicle from the back wall. If the camera sees the

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reflector in small size, this means it is a long way. If the camera sees the reflector in large
size, this simply means that the vehicle is near the wall. Secondly you have a very clear
view of the angle at which the camera is pointing at the reflector since there is a black
line moving backwards and forwards. So you have two pieces of information the size of
the reflector and the angle relative to the back wall. Now the position of the vehicle is
known and I can define the trajectories for the vehicle to move completely automatically
into the garage. This is essentially the sensor system we have installed for the Automatic
Park Assistant. Of course, what else do I need to control the whole operation? It has to be
possible to control the engine and transmission electronically, I have to be able to operate
the brake electronically from the vehicle and of course the accelerator too. But thats all
the systems I need so as to be able to have the vehicle drive into the garage completely
automatically."

Definitions of Hydroplaning:

Hydroplaning or aquaplaning by a road vehicle occurs when a layer of water

builds between the rubber tires of the vehicle and the road surface ...

When a tire loses traction as a result of water on the road. The water accumulates
under the tire's footprint and causes the tire to lift from the road surface. Vehicle
speed, tread pattern and water depth all affect hydroplaning.

A floating effect caused by tires losing contact with a surface covered with water.

A phenomenon of driving when water builds up under the tire tread, causing it to
lose contact with the road. ...

To go out of steering control by skimming the surface of a wet road.

loss of contact between a tire and a deck surface when the tire planes or glides on
a film of water covering the deck

The state of a vehicle floating on a thin layer of water on a roadway.

Hydroplaning can be remedied by decreasing vehicle speed on wet roadways.

Causes
Every vehicle function that changes direction or speed, from turning, to accelerating, to
braking, places an increased load on the tires. Control of this load relies on the friction

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between the tires and the road surface. If water comes between the tires and the road,
friction may be reduced to the extent that the tires may slip, and the driver may lose
control.
The grooves of a rubber tire are designed to disperse water from beneath the tire,
providing high friction with the road surface even in wet conditions. Hydroplaning occurs
when a tire encounters more water than it can dissipate. Water pressure in front of the
wheel forces a wedge of water under the leading edge of the tire, causing it to lift from
the road. The tire then skates on a sheet of water with little, if any, direct road contact,
and loss of control results. If multiple tires hydroplane, the vehicle may lose directional
control and slide until it either collides with an obstacle, or slows enough that one or
more tires contact the road again and friction is regained.
The risk of hydroplaning increases with the depth of standing water and the sensitivity of
a vehicle to that water depth. Factors that affect water depth include:

Depth of compacted wheel tracks and longitudinal depressions

Heavy vehicles can cause ruts in the pavement over time which allow water to
pool. The deeper these ruts, the more harm to the pavement's ability to drain
water.
Pavement micro and macrotexture.
Because of its resistance to local collapse causing ruts and thus allow
hydroplaning, concrete is often preferable to hotmix asphalt in this context,
though this depends on the age of the surface and the construction techniques
employed while paving. The concrete requires special attention to ensure that it
has sufficient texture.
Pavement cross slope and grade
Cross slope dictates the extent to which the cross-section of a road resembles an
upturned U. Higher cross slopes allow water to drain more easily. Grade is the
steepness of the road at a particular point, which affects both drainage and the
weight of the vehicle. Vehicles are less likely to hydroplane while traveling uphill,
and far more likely to do so at the trough of two connected hills where water tends
to pool.
Width of pavement
Wider roads require a higher cross slope to achieve the same degree of drainage.
Roadway curvature
Rainfall intensity and duration

Factors that affect a vehicle's sensitivity to water depth include:

The driver's speed, acceleration, braking, and steering

Tire tread wear and contact patch shape
The longer and thinner the contact patch, the less likely a tire will hydroplane.
Tires that present the greatest risk are wide, lightly loaded, and small in diameter.
Deeper tread dissipates water more easily.

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Ratio of tire load to inflation pressure

Underinflated tires are more prone to hydroplaning, especially as vehicle weight
increases.
Vehicle type
Combination vehicles like semi-trailers are more likely to experience uneven
hydroplaning caused by uneven weight distribution. An unloaded trailer will
hydroplane sooner than the cab pulling it. Pickups towing RVs present similar
problems.

There is no precise equation to determine the speed at which a vehicle will hydroplane.
Existing efforts have derived "rules of thumb" from empirical testing in the 1960s and
1970s. In general for cars, hydroplaning can be expected at speeds above 45 MPH, where
water ponds to a depth of at least 1/10 of an inch over a roadway length of 30 feet or
more. With much higher tyre pressures in trucks it is at higher speeds.

Response
What the driver experiences when a vehicle hydroplanes depends on which wheels have
lost traction and the direction of travel.
If the vehicle is traveling straight, it may begin to feel slightly loose. If there was a high
level of road feel in normal conditions, it may suddenly diminish. Small correctional
control inputs will be ignored by the vehicle.
If the drive wheels hydroplane, there may be a sudden audible rise in engine RPM and
indicated speed as they begin to spin. In a broad highway turn, if the front wheels lose
traction, the car will suddenly begin to drift towards the outside of the bend. If the rear
wheels lose traction, the back of the car will begin to slew out sideways into a skid. If all
four wheels hydroplane at once, the car will slide in a straight line, again towards the
outside of the bend if in a turn. When any or all of the wheels regain traction, there may
be a sudden jerk in whatever direction that wheel is pointed.

Recovery
To recover while traveling in a straight line, the driver should not turn the steering wheel
of the car or apply the brakes. Either action could put the car into a skid from which
recovery would be difficult or impossible. Instead, with no change in steering input, the
driver should gently ease pressure off the accelerator. Control should then return. If
braking is unavoidable, the driver should lightly pump the brakes until hydroplaning has
stopped.
If the rear wheels hydroplane and cause oversteer , the driver should steer in the
direction of the skid until the rear tires gain traction, and then rapidly steer in the other
direction to straighten the car.

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Prevention by the driver

The best strategy is to avoid as many contributors to hydroplaning as is possible. Proper
tire pressure, narrow and unworn tires, and reduced speeds from those judged suitably
moderate in the dry will mitigate the risk of hydroplaning. Avoidance of standing water is
another effective prevention strategy.
Electronic stability control systems cannot replace these defensive driving techniques
and proper tire selection. They rely on the same braking mechanism at the driver's
disposal, which in turn depends on road contact. While stability control may help
recovery from a skid when the vehicle slows enough to regain traction, it cannot prevent
hydroplaning.

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One way road

Two-way road to a Two-way road.

Turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the lane right of the centre line, following
a smooth arc. Then, when you can, move into the right curb lane.

Two-way road to a
One-way road.
Turn from the lane closest to the centre line to the left curb lane.

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One-way road to a
Two-way road.
Turn from the left curb lane to the lane just right of the centre line. Then, when you can,
move into the right curb lane.

One-way road to a
One-way road.
Turn from the left curb lane to the left curb lane.
Head lights
Dipped beam headlights
(low beams) are so you can see where you are going, but you don't dazzle other drivers.
When you turn them on, your side lights (rear lights, tail lights) will come on
automatically. You turn them on by twisting the indicator (blinker) stalk on most cars.
The symbol has a D and some slanted lines on it and is usually green (not all cars have
one).
Main beam headlights (high beams) are for when there are no cars in front of you, or
coming towards you (or you will dazzle them). They are just bright lights to see by. To
operate them, you either pull the indicator stalk towards you or away from you
(depending on the car). The symbol is similar to the dipped beam symbol but in blue.
The fog lights are normally on a switch on the dashboard. The symbol on the switch and
the warning light will be the same, and is usually similar to the headlight symbol but with
a wiggly line through it. The rear fog light will automatically turn off when you put the
main beams on.
The brake lights come on automatically when you use the brake pedal.
The reversing lights come on automatically when you put the car in reverse gea

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Fatigue and driving a dangerous mix

In 2006, there were over 50,000 victims of car accidents in Quebec! This year already,
717 people have lost their lives in car accidents, 3,714 have been seriously injured and
47,462 have suffered minor injuries.
Road safety statistics have been continually declining since the early 2000s, with the
number of deaths and injuries increasing steadily. So far, the numbers for 2007 are far
from encouraging. Statistics show that 80% of traffic accidents are related to motorist
conduct. As a result, "We are all responsible for our conduct on the road".

Alcohol still a leading cause of death

Drinking and driving is still one of the leading causes of accidents. On average, 30% of
drivers who died in accidents in 2005 (more than 200 people) had a blood alcohol level of
more than 80 mg / 100 ml of blood.

Fatigue just as dangerous as alcohol

But alcohol isn't the only cause of accidents. Fatigue plays just as big a role, and is a
factor in roughly 15% of all traffic accidents. Many drivers believe that as long as they
haven't been drinking, they're safely able to drive. Unfortunately, that's not always the
case. Like alcohol, fatigue interferes with our driving abilities: reflexes are slower,
attention is diminished and judgment is distorted. In short, our faculties are impaired,
sometimes to the same degree as if we were intoxicated.

Rest the only remedy for fatigue

Lack of sleep affects how people drive, regardless of their age. It's estimated that missing
5 hours of sleep produces the same effect as two or three glasses of wine. Furthermore,
after being awake for 19 hours, reaction time is up to 50% slower. That's worse than
having a blood alcohol level of 0.05. Of course you'd never dream of driving when
you're tired! But in response to a Canada-wide survey, some 20% of Canadians admitted
to having fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in the past year. That's not even counting
the people who have almost fallen asleep or who didn't admit it. So let's be honest and
recognize that there have been times when we've gotten behind the wheel when we were
tired, making us a danger to ourselves, and more importantly, to others!

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Drivers more at risk

Generally speaking, there are more people in the following groups who are subject to
fatigue:

Drivers under age 25, particularly young men, because they need more sleep than
older people
Adults age 50 or over, because they have a higher incidence of sleep disorders
Workers who have an irregular schedule (rotating day, night and evening shifts;
broken hours) because they get one and a half hours less sleep each day,
on average

Critical times
The risk of falling asleep at the wheel is higher during the early afternoon, between 1:00
p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and at night, between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The reason is simple:
the body follows a daily cycle that has "low points" during which our metabolism slows
down, alertness decreases and we feel tired.
When we drive, we're taking our own lives and the lives of others in our hands. Are we
truly aware of our responsibility in this regard? Do we really do the right thing when we
need to? Don't forget: 80% of accidents are caused by driver conduct and over 50,000
people were victims of traffic accidents in 2006. That should make us do more than just
think... it should make us act.

Did you know?

31% of drivers who have episodes of drowsiness don't recognize the first signs of
fatigue, or they ignore them.
In 50% of fatigue-related accidents, the driver is 25 years of age or under.
In 40% of fatigue-related accidents, the driver has been awake for more than 17
hours.

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Session 07
HIGHWAYS VS FREEWAYS
Are you allowed to drive on highway with G1 with your parents?
Yes
Are you allowed to drive on freeways with G1 with your parents?
No
What is the difference between highways and freeways?
Highways
High speed roads( maximum 80 km/hr )
A painted line separate the traffic in two directions
Sharp turns
Railway crossings
Signal lights
Stop signs
Slow moving traffic
Unpaved shoulder
Freeways
Controlled access with special ramps to let vehicles on and off.
High speed roads ( maximum 100 km/hr )
Multi lanes
More safety features
Paved shoulder
Wider lanes
Well marked
Median strip that separate travel in two directions
Gentle curves
No cross traffic
No railway crossings
Speed
Faster you drive, the greater the risk you take.
Increasing your speed does not save you very much time
The chances of getting hurt or killed increase as the speed of your car
increases.

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Why?
1. Faster you go, the worse your side vision becomes.
Move your eyes frequently.
2. Faster you go, things in the distance come closer a
lot faster and you will have less time to identify and avoid hazards.
Look into the distance
3. Faster you go, greater the stopping distance
More perception time.
More braking time
What about reaction time?
Ideal conditions, how much space cushion?
Adverse conditions, how much space cushion?
Unable to maintain space?
Others keep cutting you off
Dont burn your precious blood over it.
Just drop back
Exercise
You are going to Niagara falls which is about 100 km, every 5 km
some idiot pulls in, here your space cushion is gone, and you keep
dropping back.
How much time you think you are going to lose?
4. Faster you go, greater the chances of skidding.
Curves
5. Faster you go, greater the force of impact
Square of the speed
Double your speed, Force of impact will be four times.
Reduce speed by half; Force of impact will be one fourth.
Highway driving
More risk of head-on collision?
Passing
Avoid if possible, very dangerous manoeuvre
Is it safe?
Is it legal?
Curve?
Hill?

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Tunnel?
Bridge?
View ahead?
Side road ahead?
Car ahead moving close to speed limit?
Cars ahead are grouped tightly?
Being passed
Equally dangerous?
Check rear-view mirror frequently?
Maintain your speed and move to right side of the lane?
Curves
Sharpness of curve needs more traction to keep the car on the road.
Therefore slow down?
Curves may be banked or tilted slightly.
Adverse road conditions, reduced traction.
Therefore slow down?
Losing control on highway curves depends on your speed irrespectively of
sharpness of curves or road conditions?
Highways shoulders
Loose not paved and there is drop.
Therefore more chances of dropping onto shoulder?
Which is more dangerous situation?
Truck behind following you too closely or
You are following a truck which is blocking your view.
Preventing head-on collisions

Why a driver move into oncoming lane

Driving manoeuvres
Reduced space
Poor visibility
Loss of control
Lower the risk if collision seems unavoidable
Dont panic, keep trying
Hit the brake to lock all the wheels
To reduce speed,

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To lower force of impact and

To give yourself more time to think
To go around or
To side swipe

Freeway driving
More risk of rear-end collision
Designed to move vehicles quickly and efficiently.
Right-in
Right-out
Overpasses/underpasses
How to enter?
Can be unnerving experience for new drivers
But its not too difficult
Signal
Entrance ramp
Ramp speed
An acceleration lane (mostly down slop-why ?)
Match your speed
Keep an eye on the car in front
Gap in traffic
Merge safely
Slowing down or stopping once in acceleration lane?
Entrance problems
You cant find a gap?
Uncertain driver ahead?
Acceleration lane merges into the farthest left lane of traffic?
Wrong entrance ramp?
Entered exit ramp?

How to exit?
Anticipate your exit in advance
Signal, how soon?
Deceleration lane (mostly up slop-why?)
Exit ramp
Junction point-most rear end collisions happen here-why?
Exit problems
Dont notice exit until last minute?
Exit ramp is jammed with cars backed up onto the freeway?

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Weaving area
Use your judgment
Multilane problem
Two drivers decide to move into the same spot in the lane between them?
Which lane is safer to drive, right, middle or left?
Velocitization
Loss of ability to judge speed
Special danger at junction point
Country roads
Three times more traffic accidents causing injury in urban areas than in rural
areas.
Over half of fatal traffic accidents happen in rural areas
Why?
Different road conditions on country roads
Gravel roads
Trail roads
Muddy roads
Hilly roads
Mountain roads
Construction zones
Bridges
Railway crossings
Railway crossings
Controlled ( mechanical barrier, warning device or stop sign)
Uncontrolled
Most railway crossings in rural areas are uncontrolled
Dont forget trains momentum, kinetic energy and force of impact, due to its
huge mass.
Can you rely on the mechanical devices?
Slow down, look both sides
Look
Listen
Live
Several cars are crossing, what to do?
More than one set of tracks, what to do?
Where do I stop, if train is coming?
What if I stop on the track?

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What if I change gear while I am on the track?
What to do if I am behind a school bus and bus is approaching a railway
crossing?
What would you do if your car stalled and a train suddenly appeared?
Never try to beat a train.
A collision with a train is usually fatal for the occupants of the car.
Why all railway crossings are not controlled?
Other road users on country roads
Trucks
School buses
Slow-moving vehicles
Hypnosis
Driving for extended period of time
You pay less attention
Everything seems to float by
You start day dreaming
You can fall asleep
What can you do if you start to feel sleepy?
Prevention is better than cure
How can you prevent hypnosis? Make a list
Hitch-hiking

Risk of rear-end collision

Rejoining traffic is also risky
Dishonest and dangerous hitch-hiker
Hitch-hikers risk
Whats your view?

Emergency situations
Collision where someone is injured and you are involved?
Collision where no one is injured and you are involved?
Call police if
Exchange information
If you are the first one to arrive at the scene of collision?
TRAUMA

Please fill in the blanks.

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Choose from the following words.

Entering
Ramp
Exit
Entrance
Leaving
In some situations, an _________ ____ can also serve as an ____ ____, with traffic
________ and _______ the freeway on a common lane. In this case, the driver ________
the highway must yield the right-of-way to the driver _______ the freeway.
Please fill in the blanks with any of the following words.
Little
Faster
Speedier
Speed
Fast
Dont

Smarter beats ________.

It doesnt matter how ____ you were getting there if
you _____ get there.
Very ______ is gained by going ______ than the
____ of traffic.
Increasing your speed does not save you very much time.
The chances of getting hurt or killed increase as the speed of your car increases.
Please complete the table after you finish reading the following:
You decide to travel 10 km.

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SEVEN STAR
Speed limit is 50 km/hr.
Chances of getting into accident doubles as you increase your speed by 10 km/hr.
Speed
50
60
70
80
90
100

Time
12 minutes
10 minutes

Time saved
0
2 minutes

Risk factor
1X
2X

6 minutes

6 minutes

32 X

You are on a three lanes on each side road,

Which lane is safer to drive, right, middle or left?
Why?

VELOCITIZATION
THIS IS LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO JUDGE YOUR SPEED ACCURATELY ON A
FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY, CAUSING YOU TO TRAVEL FASTER THAN YOU
THINK YOU ARE GOING.
VELOCITIZATION IS A SPECIAL DANGER WHEN LEAVING A FREEWAY. YOU
MAY MISJUDGE YOUR SPEED ON THE EXIT RAMP AND COME SUDDENLY
UPON TRAFFIC STOPPED AT A JUNCTION POINT CONNECTING A LOWER
SPEED ROADWAY.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SPEED WHEN EXITING, AND TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO AVOID
REAR-END COLLISION.

HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS
DRIVING FOR A LONG TIME CAN BE BORING, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT OR WHEN YOU DRIVE AT THE SAME
SPEED FOR LONG DISTANCES. YOU CAN BECOME HYPNOTIZED WHERE EVERYTHING SEEMS TO FLOAT
BY AND YOU PAY LESS ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND YOU. YOU MAY EVEN FALL ASLEEP.

YOU CAN PREVENT HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS BY FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE

RULES:
1. DONT EAT A HEAVY MEAL BEFORE YOU DRIVE.

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2. WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING.

3. TALK WITH YOUR PASSENGERS, BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF
DISTRACTION.
4. KEEP YOUR EYES MOVING AND CHECK YOUR MIRRORS OFTEN.
5. TAKE AN INTEREST IN ALL ROAD SIGNS AND TRAFFIC AROUND
YOU.
6. TAKE A COFFEE OR WALKING BREAK EVERY HOUR.
7. DONT TRY TO DRIVE TOO FAR IN ONE DAY.
8. AVOID DRIVING DURING YOUR NORMAL SLEEPING HOURS.
9. KEEP THE TEMPERATURE IN YOUR VEHICLE COOL.
IF YOU DO START TO BECOME DROWSY, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
IMMEDIATELY. OPEN A WINDOW; TALK TO PASSENGERS; SING OUT LOUD;
MOVE YOUR BODY AROUND A BIT.
STOP AT THE NEXT SERVICE CENTRE OR REST AREA AND TAKE A SHORT
WALK OR HAVE A COFFEE AND EAT A LIGHT SNACK. IF YOU DONT FEEL
ANY MORE ALERT, FIND A PLACE TO SLEEP FOR AN HOUR OR FOR THE
NIGHT.

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Emergency situations
If you drop onto the shoulder (highways)?
If your brakes fail?
If your gas pedal sticks?
If your headlights go out?
If a tire blows out?
If hood fly-up?
If your car catch fire?
If you have breakdown?
Collision where someone is injured and you are involved?
Collision where no one is injured and you are involved?

Call police if
Damage is more than ________
Someone is __________

Exchange information

_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
If you are the first one to arrive at the scene of collision?

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TRAUMA

_____________

_____________

_____________

_____________

_____________

____________

Session 08
Winter driving
Winter weather puts extra demands on you as a driver and your cars
performance.
In Canada winter driving can be an unpleasant and dangerous experience.
You need to be prepared and need to know how to cope with ice, snow and
freezing rain.
Two main problems of winter driving
Reduced visibility
Reduced traction
Slide
Skid
Spin
Prepare for winter driving

Things to do for your vehicle

Things to do for you and your passengers
If you get stuck
If you are stranded

Driving and winter

Tires
Starting off
Driving along
Stopping on slippery surface
Shifting to neutral
Normal braking
Threshold braking

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Pumping the brakes

Four wheel lock
Anti-lock brake system ( ABS )
In emergency situation which braking technique is the best?

Skidding? Do not panic!

Some winter driving conditions
Ice
Black ice
Hard-packed snow
Blowing snow
Whiteouts
Blowing snow may create whiteouts where snow completely blocks your
view of the road. When blowing snow is forecast, drive only if necessary and
with extreme caution.

Tips for driving in blowing snow and whiteout conditions

Before you drive - and during your trip - check weather forecasts and road
reports. If there is a weather warning, or reports of poor visibility and driving
conditions, delay your trip until conditions improve, if possible. If you get
caught driving in blowing snow or a whiteout, follow these safe driving tips:
DO:
DON'T:
REMEMBER:

Deep snow
Wet snows
Freezing rain
Temperature close to zero degrees Celsius
Ice forms first on bridges and overpasses

Impaired driving
Types of impairment
ALCOHOL
EMOTIONAL
DRUG
FATIGUE

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ILLNESS
MEDICATION
STRESS
COMBINATIONS OF MULTIPLE IMPAIRMENTS

Alcohol
Alcohol is the most common cause of driver impairment leading to accidents.
What is alcohol?
How is it made?
WHAT ALCOHOL DOES TO YOU?
Alcohol affects:

Kidneys
Liver
Stomach
Pulse rate and blood pressure
Skin
Brain
Self-control
Judgment
Perception
Reaction
Co-ordination
Attention-switching

Just a small amount of alcohol can make a driver impaired or less effective.
Possible hazards go unnoticed. You need not be drunk to be an impaired driver.
Blood alcohol concentration
B.A.C. indicates the percentage of alcohol in blood.
BAC is expressed as the weight of alcohol in a given volume of blood.
Legal limit in Canada 80mg% or .08
As you drink, alcohol enters your blood stream. Liver tries to remove the alcohol from
the body. If you drink faster than liver works, the extra alcohol stays in your blood and

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increases B.A.C.
90% of alcohol is oxidized in the liver. The rest is eliminated through the lungs and
kidneys. The livers capacity to break down the alcohol is limited ( 15mg% or .015 per
hour )
BAC does not depend on what you drink
BAC depend on how much you drink

Typical servings of beverage alcohol products each contain identical amounts

of ethyl alcohol:

Spirits: 1.5 ounces @ 40% alcohol

Wine: 5.0 ounces @ 12% alcohol
Beer: 12.0 ounces @ 5% alcohol
Each of the above servings contains exactly 0.6 ounces of pure
ethyl alcohol -- hence, the fact
"A Drink Is A Drink Is A Drink"

BAC depend on how much you weigh

HOW MUCH CAN I DRINK AND STILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE?
ALCOHOL AND THE LAW
It is a criminal offence in Canada to drive while your ability to drive is impaired by

Alcohol
Drug
BAC is over .08%

It is also illegal to have the care and control of a vehicle when impaired. That can
mean just sitting in the drivers seat, whether the car is moving or not.
It is also illegal to have opened alcohol available to yourself or any passenger.
Police power

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Police can stop you at any time and ask you to take a breath test if they have reason
to suspect you have been drinking. Refusing to take the test is also a criminal offence
which will bring the same penalties as for impaired driving.
LAW OF THE LAND
BREATH-TESTING DEVICES
DRIVING IMPAIRED MAKES YOU A CRIMINAL
IMPAIRED DRIVING CONSEQUENCES
DRIVERS WHO ARE CAUGHT DRIVING WHILE THEIR LICENCE IS SUSPENDED FOR A
CRIMINAL CODE CONVICTION WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE THEY ARE DRIVING IMPOUNDED FOR
A MINIMUM OF 45 DAYS AND FACE FINES OF $5000 TO $50,000.

BACK ON TRACK PROGRAM

IGNITION INTERLOCK ( Overhead )
SAVING A FEW DOLLARS CAN COST YOU THOUSANDS
Have you ever wondered about the true value of a $10.00 cab ride or a designated
driver?
Emotional
Anger
Frustration
Depression
Worry
Excitement
Intense Happiness
Mood has big effect on how well you drive.
Extreme emotions reduce your ability to think and react quickly.
Remember
Emotions Affect concentration and reaction time
Emotions are contagious
Emotions are temporary
If you do drive when your feelings are running high, you
may be impatient,
may drive aggressively,

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may take chances.

It is wise to give yourself some cooling off period until your emotional state
evens out.
Being emotionally upset or excited can magnify the already dangerous
effects of alcohol.
Drugs
Drugs and medicines can impair driving.

STIMULANTS
DEPRESSANTS
ANTIBIOTICS
HALLUCINOGENS
DISSOCIATIVE
CANNABIS PRODUCTS
ECSTASY

Fatigue
Illness
Medication
Stress
Combination of multiple impairments
Fuel efficiency, buying a car and protecting the environment
SAVE FUEL, SAVE MONEY
SAVE FUEL, SAVE ENVIRONMENT
SAFE DRIVING IS FUEL-EFFICIENT DRIVING
By reducing speed and driving smoothly, you will not only be safer but also
optimize vehicles fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases.
Most vehicles burn gasoline to make their engines run and burning gasoline
creates what are called greenhouse gases.
The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide.

CARBON DIOXIDE

Global warming is the result of too much carbon dioxide.

1 litre of gasoline produces 2.4 kg of carbon dioxide.
Canadians drive 290 billion km per year.
Light duty vehicles are major source of gases that are causing the earths
climate to change.
Consequences of climate change:
What do you think you can do about it as a driver?
Why should you do anything about it?

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NITROGEN
ACIDIC IN NATURE , CAUSE ACID RAIN
SULPHUR
ACIDIC IN NATURE , CAUSE ACID RAIN
HYDROCARBONS
RESPONSIBLE FOR SMOG
CAUSE MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS
HOW TO SAVE GASOLINE?

What you drive

Car options
Which of these features have a positive, a negative or no effect on
vehicles fuel efficiency?

Car conditions
What are 3 environmental benefits of keeping your vehicle in good working
condition?
What are 3 benefits to you as a driver, when you keep your vehicle in top
shape?
The way you drive
Jerky stops
Jack rabbit start
Speeding
Idling
Excessive idling contaminates engine oil more quickly.
10 seconds rule.
A warmed-up engine is much more efficient than a cold one but
idling is not a solution instead use block heater with timer.
When you drive
Vehicles consume more fuel in winter than in summer.
Stop and go rush hour consumes more.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE A FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVER AND REDUCE YOUR

IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT?

BUYING A CAR
When you are looking to buy a vehicle, theres a lot more to think about than
paint colours and stereo options.
First you have to determine what you need.
Than look for vehicle that meets those needs and at the same time provides
the greatest possible safety and fuel-efficiency.
New vehicle/Used vehicle

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Size of cylinder
4 doors/2 doors/hatchback
Car/ SUV/ Van
Alternative fuels:
Ethanol
Biodiesel
Natural gas
Propane
Advanced technology vehicles:
Electric vehicles
Hybrid vehicles
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle
When purchasing a vehicle-What questions do you need to ask yourself?
Used cars

What a vehicle title search gives you

Myth about odometer rollback
Stolen car scam alert
Every VIN# Tells A Story
Watch out for used car airbag fraud!

Negotiating a used car purchase with a private seller:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Call the seller, ask lots of questions

Go check out the sellers used car
Evidence of a previous accident or rebuilt Junkers
Start Working On The Seller
Test Drive The Sellers Used Car
Check for leaks in the car!
Check All The Fluids
Negotiating the Price With The Seller

Motor vehicles registration and inspection

Application for transfer signed by seller

Bill of sale
Sales tax
Plate
Plate sticker

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Insurance
Safety standard certificate
Emission test

Tip of the Season

Fall is a beautiful time of year. But along with the changing leaves comes changing
driving conditions. Watch out for wet leaves, adjust to light conditions, watch for frost
and keep your car in good condition.
Whiteouts: Blowing snow may create whiteouts where snow completely blocks your
view of the road. When blowing snow is forecast, drive only if necessary and with
extreme caution.

Tips for driving in blowing snow and whiteout conditions

Before you drive - and during your trip - check weather forecasts and road reports. If
there is a weather warning, or reports of poor visibility and driving conditions, delay your
trip until conditions improve, if possible. If you get caught driving in blowing snow or a
whiteout, follow these safe driving tips:
DO:

Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
Make sure the full lighting system of your vehicle is turned on.
Be patient. Avoid passing, changing lanes and crossing traffic.
Increase your following distance. You will need extra space to brake safely.
Stay alert. Keep looking as far ahead as possible.
Reduce the distractions in your vehicle. Your full attention is required.
Keep your windows and mirrors clean. Use defroster and wipers to maximize
your vision.
Try to get off the road when visibility is near zero. Pull into a safe parking area if
possible.

DON'T:

Don't stop on the travelled portion of the road. You could become the first link in
a chain-reaction collision.
Don't attempt to pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a
vehicle that is following too closely.

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REMEMBER:

Watch your speed. You may be going faster than you think. If so, reduce speed
gradually.
Leave a safe braking distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
Stay alert, remain calm and be patient.
If visibility is decreasing rapidly, do not stop on the road. Look for an opportunity
to pull off the road into a safe parking area and wait for conditions to improve.
If you become stuck or stranded in severe weather, stay with your vehicle for
warmth and safety until help arrives. Open a window slightly for ventilation. Run
your motor sparingly. Use your emergency flashers.
Be prepared and carry a winter driving survival kit that includes items such as
warm clothing, non-perishable energy foods, flashlight, shovel and blanket.
It is important to look ahead and watch for clues that indicate you need to slow
down and anticipate slippery road conditions.

TIPS FOR SAFE WINTER DRIVING

ABOUT ONE THIRD OF ALL TRAFFIC COLLISIONS IN WINTER ARE CAUSED BY SPEED AND
LOSS OF CONTROL.
PLEASE SLOW DOWN AND KEEP PLENTY OF SPACE BETWEEN YOUR CAR AND THE CAR
AHEAD.

REMEMBER IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP ON SLIPPERY ROADS. KEEP A SAFE

DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU.
STAY ALERT, SLOW DOWN AND STAY IN CONTROL.
AVOID SUDDEN BRAKING.
CHECK WEATHER AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS BEFORE HEADING OUT. GIVE
YOURSELF EXTRA TRAVEL TIME OR WAIT UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE.
CLEAR YOUR WINDOWS OF ICE AND SNOW TO ENSURE A CLEAR VIEW.
BRUSH OFF ALL LOOSE SNOWS FROM YOUR VEHICLE SO IT DOES NOT IMPEDE
THE VISION OF DRIVERS TRAVELLING BEHIND YOU.
GET YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR WINTER WITH A MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP.
WINTER TIRES PROVIDE BETTER TRACTION IN SNOW, SLUSH, AND ICE.
KEEP A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT IN YOUR CAR: A CANDLE, MATCHES, A SMALL TIN
CAN, BLANKET, EXTRA FOOTWAER, HIGH-ENERGY FOOD, FLASH LIGHT

List hazardous driving situations

R___
S___
I__

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F__
N____
W___
Driving in any kind of hazardous condition-bad weather, decreased visibility, poor
traction- requires the same four basic actions;

1. _____________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________

Please circle the correct ones.

Skid is caused by over braking/steering/acceleration.
Slide is caused by over braking/steering/acceleration.
Spin is caused by over braking/steering/acceleration.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is the most common cause of driver impairment leading to accidents.
What is alcohol? Alcohol is a clear drink that is made from corn, barley, grain, rye, or a beverage containing ethyl.
When a person drinks alcohol, about 20 percent is absorbed in the stomach, and 80 percent is absorbed in the small
intestine. The concentration of alcohol, the type of drink, and whether the stomach is full or empty depends on how fast
the alcohol is absorbed. Once the alcohol is absorbed into the tissue, it affects your mind and body. Blood alcohol
concentration can rise up to 20 minutes after having a drink. After alcohol is absorbed it leaves the body in three ways:
the kidneys, lungs, and liver.
How is it made? Beer and wine are called fermented beverages. They are made by adding yeast to a substance that
contains sugar. The yeast starts the formation process, which turns sugar into ethyl and carbon dioxide gas. Beer is
made from barley malt. The people who brew the beer soak the barley in water to make it sprout. When the barley

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dries, they take off the sprouts only leaving starch, or malt. The malt is ground up and mixed up with water to form
mash. This is put into another mash which contains corn or rice that has been crushed and heated. The starch from
corn or rice is then changed to sugar. Some dried flowers are added to the mash to add flavour, then the mash is
fermented. Then the brewers age the beer for several weeks to add taste in the beer. Another type of alcoholic
beverage is called a distilled beverage. That is made from fermented grain mash or fermented juice. Distilled
beverages include drinks such as whiskey, vodka, liqueurs, gin, rum, and other beverages.

WHAT ALCOHOL DOES TO YOU?

Alcohol is a powerful substance that alters the way you feel and react.
Alcohol affects:

Kidneys

Frequent urination

Liver

Alcohol places strain on liver and risks damaging it. Liver tries to get rid of alcohol by oxidation process.
Liver burns 15 mg% of alcohol an hour.

Stomach

Inflammation or bleeding of the stomach lining.

Pulse rate and blood pressure

Both increase with small amount of alcohol but decrease as large amounts are consumed.

Skin

Skin feels warm although body gets colder.

Brain

Communications between nerve cells is disrupted and brain cells are killed. Concentration, sight, hearing, and
memory are reduced which further affects

Self-control

Alcohol relaxes you. You may say or do things which you wouldnt if you were sober.

Judgment

Your ability to think clearly and make sound decisions is reduced even by small amounts of alcohol.

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Perception

Your ability to see, hear, and feel things get worse as you drink. You may not be able to judge distances
accurately and your vision may become blurred.

Reaction

Your reaction time gets longer and longer the more you drink.

Co-ordination

You wont be able to control your movements as well as when you are sober.

Attention-switching

This is the ability to scan the driving environment rapidly, interpret important information, and then make
the right driving decisions.
Sometimes, the decision to brake, move quickly to another lane, or just maintain the same path of travel
at the same speed can mean the difference between living and dying.
Drivers attention-switching ability and alertness deteriorate rapidly even with one or two drinks.
Just a small amount of alcohol can make a driver impaired or less effective. Possible hazards go unnoticed. You
need not be drunk to be an impaired driver.
Police power
Police can stop you at any time and ask you to take a breath test if they have reason to suspect you have been
drinking. Refusing to take the test is also a criminal offence which will bring the same penalties as for impaired
driving.
LAW OF THE LAND
It does not matter if your vehicle is on street or on private property. Your vehicle does not even have to be moving. The
impaired driving laws apply to all motor vehicles.
DRIVING IMPAIRED MAKES YOU A CRIMINAL
Every year thousands of Canadians are killed or injured in alcohol-related crashes. If you are charged, you have to go
to court. If you are convicted, you will have a criminal record.
In addition, the provinces and territories use their authority over driver licensing to supplement the provisions of the
criminal code. These are the two sets of laws concerned with impaired driving. Both come into play when a drinking
and driving offence has been committed.

Extreme emotions reduce your ability to think and react quickly.

Remember
Emotions Affect concentration and reaction time

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Emotions are contagious

Emotions are temporary
Emotions Affect concentration and reaction time
Emotions impair your visual scanning and reduce your ability to watch out for potential
hazards.
Every person is different in personality. Some keep their feelings under control others
become upset easily.
Being calm makes you a better driver.
Know what state of mind you are in before you get behind the wheel.
Make sure you are calm, fit, and alert whenever you drive.
Emotions are contagious
If another driver gets mad at you, leans on the horn, or cuts you off, you are likely to do
the same to the next driver.
If another driver is polite and friendly, chances are you will be polite and little friendlier
to others.
If drivers are polite and friendly to each other, traffic will flow smoothly.
Dont be the one to start the chain reaction of anger.
Emotions are temporary
Emotions good or bad will fade away.
You may be happy, miserable, or angry for an hour or so.
You wont stay bubbling, depressed, or in a blind rage for too long.
If you do get worked up about something, wait a while before you drive.
If you have just seen a very funny movie and you are still laughing, dont be in a hurry to
drive.
If you do drive when your feelings are running high, you may be impatient, may
drive aggressively, may take chances and make mistakes which you may regret later
on.
It is wise to give yourself some cooling off period until your emotional state evens
out.
Being emotionally upset or excited can magnify the already dangerous effects of
alcohol.
DRUGS
Drugs and medicines can impair driving.

STIMULANTS
DEPRESSANTS
ANTIBIOTICS
HALLUCINOGENS
DISSOCIATIVE
CANNABIS PRODUCTS
ECSTASY

FATIGUE

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If you drive when you are tired, fatigue can creep up on you.
Just a nod of the head and your attention goes off; survival is just a matter of luck.
A dozing driver risks not only his or her life but also the lives of others on the road.
Fatigue reduces your ability to think quickly, to see things clearly and in emergency you
may not react accurately or make wrong decisions.
ILLNESS
Any illness or pain can reduce your driving ability.
Simple cold or sprained ankle is likely to harm your driving ability. Avoid driving. Treat
yourself to a taxi or let someone else drive.
MEDICATION
Patients taking the powerful painkilling drugs are often advised not to drive because of
the sedating effects of the medication.
STRESS
COMBINATIONS OF MULTIPLE IMPAIRMENTS
Taking several drugs at the same time multiplies the separate effects of each drug on your
mind and body.
The worst combinations are alcohol mixed with other drugs.
Overtiredness, anger, or excitement combined with alcohol or drugs will make you more
vulnerable to accidents.

BAC depends on how much you weigh

Body weight
45 kg or 100 lbs
56 kg or 125 lbs
68 kg or 150 lbs
79 kg or 175 lbs
90 kg or 200 lbs
102 kg or 225 lbs
113 kg or 250 lbs

BAC per drink

43
34
29
25
22
19
17

What is alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning happens when someone drinks a large amount of alcohol in a
short period of time.
For example, alcohol poisoning could be caused by:
binge drinking (having more than five drinks at once)
drinking games

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funnelling
chugging.
If an individual drinks too much too fast, the amount of alcohol in the persons blood
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises to a high level very quickly.
A BAC of 200-300 mg per cent would likely cause alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning can cause brain damage or even death. An individual who blacks out,
passes out or vomits is very likely experiencing alcohol poisoning or is close to
experiencing it.
What does that all mean? Heres an example: If a 110-pound female had six drinks in
four hours she would have a BAC of 225 mg per cent. She would be putting herself in
danger of alcohol poisoning.
What about the one drink per hour rule? It is misleading. Science has shown that the old
one drink per hour rule is NOT TRUE for all people.
For example, if that same 110-pound female drank seven drinks in seven hours, she
would still be at a real risk for alcohol poisoning. She would have a BAC of 225 mg per
cent. If she were driving, she would be more than four times the legal limit for driving!
Some signs of alcohol poisoning are:
vomiting while sleeping or passed out
not responding when pinched, shaken, or poked
slow and shallow breathing
skin feeling cold, clammy, and looking a purplish colour
a very fast pulse rate.
If you find someone in this state, roll him or her into the recovery position and call for
help.
These are the steps for putting someone in the recovery position:
1. Raise the persons arm closest to you above their head.
2. Gently roll the persons entire body towards you.

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3. Tilt the persons head to maintain an open airway.

4. Tuck the persons nearest hand under their cheek to help maintain the heads tilt.
5. Do not leave the person alone; stay until help arrives.
This could save someones life. NEVER leave a friend or family member alone when
they have been drinking too much! They may be suffering from alcohol poisoning. Dont
be afraid they will be angry with you because you called for help. You may be saving
their life!
The legal drinking age is 19 and its never safe to binge drink. And remember, mixing
alcohol with any other drugs can be fatal!
Types of Street Drugs:
The following are some common types of street drugs.
Marijuana: is an illegal drug that is made from the leaves of the Marijuana plant. These leaves
are green, gray, and yellowish brown. The leaves of the plant are melted into an oil that is wrapped
up and used in a cigarette or pipe to be smoked. When smoked or eaten, your mind begins to
question reality and fantasy. Your heart rate also increases, and your body becomes sluggish. The
side affects include heart damage, asthma, and damage to skin and respiratory systems.

Cocaine: is an illegal drug unless prescribed by cancer treating doctors. Cocaine comes from
the leaves of cocoa bushes, and is either processed into a powder for smoking or inhaling, or
eaten by whole leaves. When taken your body slows and your heart rate increases. Your
mouth then dries, and your pupils become dilated and you will experience exaggerated
movements. The side affects make you shaky, causing seizures, and through enough usage,
even death. Cocaine can also be hardened to make small rocks called Crack Cocaine.

Narcotics: come in the form of juice, powder, or a thick solution. When taken, your body
depresses breathing and stops thinking correctly. You then experience a moment of small or no
pain when normally hurt. Side affects include addiction, birth defects, breathing shortage, and
thinking problems.

Heroin: is an illegal drug and comes in the form of a white powder or water like substance that
is usually mixed with other drugs. When taken, your mind shuts down your central nervous

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system, calming pain and happiness. It will also slow down your breathing to a very slow pace.
The side affects include drowsiness, headaches, and respiratory problems. Death can also
occur if an overdose is taken.

PCP/Angel Dust: are illegal drugs. PCP/ Angel Dust comes in the form of a powder in many
various colors. When taken you will lose your sense of pain and your reaction speed will drop.
You will soon lose coordination, speech, and flexibility. Your eyes will lose vision, and severe
twitching can last for months after a single dosage. The side affects include a loss of sensing of
pain, constant panic and sometimes death. An overdose could lead to a loss of control over
your entire body resulting in death from suffocation.

Attention-switching
This is the ability to scan the driving environment rapidly, interpret important
information, and then make the right driving decisions.
Sometimes, the decisions to brake, move quickly to another lane, or just maintain the
same path of travel at the same speed can mean the difference between living and
dying.
Drivers attention-switching ability and alertness deteriorate rapidly even with one or
two drinks.
Just a small amount of alcohol can make a driver impaired or less effective.
Possible hazards go unnoticed. You need not be drunk to be an impaired driver.

DRUGS
Drugs and medicines can impair driving.
STIMULANTS
Stimulants give a feeling of energy and alertness.
When stimulants wears off , the user becomes very tired and may fall asleep.
Stimulants include pep pills, Amphetamine: Behavioural Stimulant, diet pills, cocaine.
Coffee and tobacco are also mild stimulants.

DEPRESSANTS
Depressants slow down the nervous system.
They ruin drivers ability to think, see, and respond.

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They are also found in small quantity in prescription drugs, cold remedies, and headache pills.
Sleeping pills, tranquilizers, allergy pills, nasal sprays, pain killers are all depressants.

ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics are prescription drugs to fight infections.
They produce side-effects such as tiredness, headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, itching.
The same drug that saves your life in the hospital can kill you on the road.

HALLUCINOGENS
Hallucinogens are drugs that cause hallucinations - profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality.
Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real
but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid, intense emotional swings.
Hallucinogens affect sight and judgment.
Hallucinogens cause their effects by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter
serotonin. Distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord, the serotonin system is involved in the control
of behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, including mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual
behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception.
LSD (an abbreviation for "Lysergic Acid Diethylamide") is the drug most commonly identified with the
term "hallucinogen" and the most widely used in this class of drugs.

DISSOCIATIVE
Drugs such as PCP (phencyclidine) and ketamine, which were initially developed as general anesthetics for
surgery, distort perceptions of sight and sound and produce feelings of detachment - dissociation - from the
environment and self. But these mind-altering effects are not hallucinations. PCP and ketamine are
therefore more properly known as "dissociative anesthetics." Dextromethorphan, a widely available cough
suppressant, when taken in high doses can produce effects similar to those of PCP and ketamine.

CANNABIS PRODUCTS
Marijuana and hashish are cannabis products which distort judgments of time, distance, and speed.
These drugs give the user a false sense of power and confidence.
A small amount is enough to upset a persons ability to see, steer, brake, and make correct driving decisions.

ECSTASY
Ecstasy--an illegal drug often referred to as this decades version of LSDis, according to some of its
users "the hottest drug going now." Its also one of the deadliest. While Ecstasy is most often associated
with large open-to-the-public teen dance parties--or "raves"--federal officials say the drug also known as
MDMA (and most commonly called "X" on the street) is so readily available that teens can easily buy it on
the street or even on their schools campus.

IMPAIRED DRIVING CONSEQUENCES

First
HTA
1 year licence suspension
offence
back on track program
CCC

1 year ignition interlock

1 year driving prohibition

Second HTA
offence

$600 fine
3 year licence suspension
back on track program

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CCC
3 year ignition interlock
2 year driving prohibition
$600 fine
Third
offence

HTA

14 day jail
lifetime licence suspension( reducible to 10
years if certain conditions are met )
lifetime ignition interlock if suspension
reduced

CCC

3 year driving prohibition

$600 fine

Fourth
offence

HTA
CCC

90 day jail
Lifetime licence suspension
Same as third

DRIVERS WHO ARE CAUGHT DRIVING WHILE THEIR LICENCE IS

SUSPENDED FOR A CRIMINAL CODE CONVICTION WILL HAVE THE
VEHICLE THEY ARE DRIVING IMPOUNDED FOR A MINIMUM OF 45 DAYS
AND FACE FINES OF $5000 TO $50,000.

SAVING A FEW DOLLARS CAN COST YOU THOUSANDS

Have you ever wondered about the true value of a $10.00 cab ride or
a designated driver?
Criminal code fine
Back on track program
License reinstatement fee
Increase in insurance cost
Ignition interlock
Court costs

$600.00
$475.00 + GST
$150.00 + GST
$15,000.00
$1,300.00 + installation +
monitoring fee
$2,000.00- $10,000.00

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Most vehicles burn gasoline to make their engines run and burning gasoline creates what
are called greenhouse gases.
The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide.
CARBON DIOXIDE
Global warming is the result of too much carbon dioxide.
1 litre of gasoline produces 2.4 kg of carbon dioxide.
Canadians drive 290 billion km per year.
Light duty vehicles are major source of gases that are causing the earths climate to
change.
Consequences of climate change
Heart and lung problems
Loss of forest
Loss of water resources
Death of crops
Death of living species
Flooding
Erosion
Melting of glaciers
What do you think you can do about it as a driver?
Drive less often
Anticipate the flow of traffic
Drive a fuel efficient vehicle
Use environmentally friendly fuel
Drive at posted speed limit
Avoid hard braking
Avoid quick acceleration
Avoid idling for longer than 10 seconds
Avoid drive-through
Carpool
walk, ride a bike or take the bus
plan trips
follow the vehicles maintenance schedule
keep tires properly inflated
Why should you do anything about it?
To protect the environment
To save money
To protect my health and other peoples health
To conserve non-renewable resources
To be a safer driver
NITROGEN
ACIDIC IN NATURE , CAUSE ACID RAIN
SULPHUR
ACIDIC IN NATURE , CAUSE ACID RAIN
HYDROCARBONS

SEVEN STAR
RESPONSIBLE FOR SMOG
CAUSE MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS

Which of these features have a positive, a negative or no effect on vehicles fuel

efficiency? Write P for positive effect, N for negative effect and O for no effect.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Sunroof
Manual transmission
4 wheel drive
Exterior trim
Air conditioning
Heated seats
Front-wheel drive
Tachometer
Fuel injection
Cruise control
Small engine
Block heater with timer
Tinted glass
Overdrive gears
Radial tires
Power windows
Power doors
Power seats
Continuously variable transmission
Aerodynamic design

What are 3 environmental benefits of keeping your vehicle in good working

condition?
1.
2.
3.

What are 3 benefits to you as a driver, when you keep your vehicle in top shape?
1.

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2.
3.
What do you think you can do to reduce greenhouse gases which are responsible for
climate change?
Drive ____ often
__________ the flow of traffic
Drive a fuel _________ vehicle
Use environmentally ________ fuel
Drive at posted _____ limit
Avoid ____ braking
Avoid _____ acceleration
Avoid idling for longer than __ seconds
Avoid _____-through
___pool
Wa__, ride a bi__ or take the b__
plan _____
follow the vehicles ___________ schedule
keep _____ properly inflated
Myth about odometer rollback
Many people think digital odometers cannot be rolled back. With digital odometers, the
current mileage reading is stored in a flash chip or an EEPROM. Its easy to remove the

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EEPROM and reprogram it with a lower mileage, leaving no signs of tampering, so you
must perform a title check. When a car is inspected the mileage is recorded, and
whenever the title changes hands or it is traded in at car dealers, or turned in after a lease.
On your vehicle history report, if a mileage event shows less than the last recorded
mileage event, you know that odometer fraud has taken place.

If the used car was in an accident, it may show up in the auto title search
If the used car was flooded, totalled by insurance, whether it was sold at an
auction, if it has a salvage title
Number of owners, dates when each owner bought the used car, if it was leased, a
rental car, or a fleet car, or government vehicle
Any auctions such as salvage or normal off lease wholesale auctions it may have
been sold at
When the dealer took delivery. Use this to haggle a lower price if the used car has
been sitting on the lot for months

Stolen car scam alert

The thief buys a Mercedes E Class at a junked salvage auction for $5,000. He launders
the title back to a legit Rebuilt status, then steals the exact same model Mercedes E
Class car. He files down the VIN on the stolen car, transfers the VIN plate from the
rebuilt junked car, and sells you the stolen Mercedes E Class as a used car. The only way
to uncover this scam is to check the VINs on all panels of the car to make
sure they
match.

Every VIN# Tells A Story

The 17 digit VIN# (Vehicle Identification Number) appears on all cars, in the dashboard
on a metal strip. You can find the VIN# inside the driver side door on a factory sticker,
the passenger door, the trunk, the hood, and sometimes the engine and other major parts
have one, or its engraved. Car makers place VIN stickers on the major accident parts like
doors, engines, and quarter panels, which are broken down from a car when its stolen. If
they show up on another car, something is wrong, the car was stolen, or junked and
rebuilt. Check, doors and panels make sure all VIN#s match.
Watch out for used car airbag fraud! They can be over $800 to replace them
yourself
Each year 2.5 million cars are wrecked, and 1 million end up back on the road. Airbag
fraud is a huge scam. When cars are wrecked, the insurance companies pay for damages
including airbag replacement. But unscrupulous repair people keep the money without
replacing the $800 airbag, often stuffing the space with everything from crushed beer
cans to peanut bags. Many companies sell fake airbag covers so that you think you have
an airbag but you really dont. Many people, maybe even you, are driving around in a
used car with no airbag, even though you think there is one there. You cant see through
the airbag cover. Thats why you need to know if the car was wrecked.

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Negotiating a used car purchase with a private seller:

1. Call the seller, ask lots of questions
Why are you selling the car?
How many miles are on it?
Do they have all the maintenance records, proof of tune ups, and oil change receipts?

2. Go check out the sellers used car

Make an appointment to see the car during the day. At night you cant see all thats
wrong with it. If you make an appointment with a seller, show up 15 minutes after the
agreed time. Once the agreed time has passed, the seller is now going through total
hell, thinking you are not going to show.
Check the driveway or garage floor for signs of fluid leaks. Rust colored stains
indicate a leaking radiator. Black or Brown puddles and stains indicate an oil or
transmission fluid leak, and purple puddles indicate transmission fluid leaks.

3. Evidence of a previous accident or rebuilt Junkers

4. Start Working On The Seller
Have your partner be negative, pointing out every little item that erodes away at the
sellers asking price, and confidence.

5. Test Drive The Sellers Used Car

Take the seller with you and ask questions when noises pop up. Listen for noises,
rattles, or grinding sounds.

6. Check for leaks in the car!

7. Check All The Fluids
Check under the hood to see how clean the engine is. Is the radiator fluid green? If
not, its been a while since the radiator was maintained and the fluid has turned
brown. Is there any windshield fluid? If its low, you should be getting bad vibes, a
sign that youre dealing with a lazy owner, who couldnt spare a few seconds to add a
few ounces of windshield fluid when hes about to sell. Think he did his oil changes
on time? Check the transmission fluid, it should be purple if its fresh, slightly brown
if its older. It should NOT be black. Check the air pressure in the tires and check for
uneven wear on the tread. Ask the seller when the tires were replaced last.

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8. Negotiating the Price With The Seller

147