Driver Safety

IntroductionPage 1 of 3

Course Overview

Welcome to the I DRIVE SAFELY® Online Traffic School Course. Your decision, willingness and effort to participate in this course gives you an opportunity to learn to drive more alertly, efficiently, and safely. I DRIVE SAFELY® has combined years of industry experience as well as professional outside sources to design and implement this driver education program. The aim of this course is to help you become a better, safer driver. We hope you share what you will learn with family and friends.

This driver improvement program is also designed to promote respect for all drivers as well as encourage observance of traffic laws and traffic safety responsibilities. The course includes information that will assist you in improving your personal driving habits and defensive driving techniques. It also fosters the reduction of traffic violations, traffic-related injuries, deaths, and economic losses. By participating in this course, no points will be assessed for the traffic violation for which you are attending Texas state traffic school.

The program consists of the following eight units of instruction:

Unit 1 - Highway Safety Unit 2 - The Driver Unit 3 - Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driving Unit 4 - Other Driving Impairments Unit 5 - Traffic Laws Unit 6 - The Driving Environment Unit 7 - Driving Emergencies Unit 8 - The Vehicle


Testing and Grading

At the end of each unit, you are required to take a 10-question quiz that reviews important content from that unit. You must pass each quiz with a score of 70% to move on to the next unit. If you do not score 70% or higher you are required to retake the entire unit and

attempt another quiz after you have finished the unit.

Completion Requirements

You must complete all 8 units of the course and pass the quiz at the end of each unit with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. Each individual unit must be completed before moving on to the next unit. I DRIVE SAFELY® will issue a Certificate of Completion only if participants meet all the requirements for the course.

Timer

In this course, each page contains timers as required by the state government to ensure that you spend the same amount of time on this course as you would in a classroom course. You will not be able to move forward in the course until the page timer has stopped. We apologize for any inconvenience.


Operation and Conduct Policy

No credit for completion will be given if the course is completed by anyone other than you or if you are assisted by an outside party. When you enroll in the course you are stating under penalty of perjury that you, and not another person, studied the material in its entirety and completed the section quizzes and the final exam. By registering for this course, you understand that it may be a crime to make false statements or to falsify documents submitted to the court.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

School enrollment fees will be refunded within 30 days to any student who cancels the enrollment contract prior to completing the course. All school enrollment fees are also refundable if:

The course of instruction is discontinued by the school, thus preventing a student from completing the course, or

The enrollment of the student was procured as a result of any misrepresentation in advertising, promotional materials of the school, or representation made by the owner or employee of the school.

All refunds must be requested within 30 days after the effective date of payment.

Note: There will be no refund of school enrollment fees if a student fails to pass the final examination, or if the student fails to pass the course due to circumvention.

You're now ready to begin the course. Good luck!

The Traffic Safety ProblemPage 1 of 7

Introduction

Vehicular crashes in the United States kill and injure people at epidemic rates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists accidental death as the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.

Fatalities related to motor vehicle traffic are the number one cause of accidental death. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for people ages 3 to 33.

When you enter into the driving environment, your risk of unintentional injury is always present. However, there are several things you can do as a driver to lower that risk.

As you start this course, you probably consider yourself to be a very good driver. Then recently, and very unexpectedly, you were issued a citation by a law enforcement official.

Many good drivers receive citations and are also involved in crashes. In fact, the majority of drivers involved in collisions are people who have a good driving record. People who drive safely most of the time can still exercise poor judgment and make a mistake once in a while. However, if you consistently break traffic laws, you are more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who obey the laws.

The purpose of this course is to help you avoid receiving future citations and provide you with information to help you reduce your risk of a crash; a crash which could result in financial loss, injury, or death.

We begin this course by investigating what causes fatalities on our highway system, the responsibilities we all have as drivers, and how to reduce your risk of being involved in a crash while you are driving.

The first module of the course covers the traffic safety problem we all face as a society. Topics include:

Surviving the Drive The Highway Transportation System The Cost of Crashes The Leading Causes of Fatalities The Social Responsibilities of Driving


Surviving the Drive

Driving a motor vehicle involves the conduct of skilled and properly timed actions under varying road and traffic conditions based on decisions that depend on:

Learned Information Realistic Perceptions Sound Judgments

You already know how to drive. Using skill, knowledge, and obeying the rules of the road is the first step to improving your chances of surviving a crash.

Next, you need to stay focused on the task of driving and have a realistic perception of your risk and an understanding of why you need to be focused on the task of driving. You need to be aware of the environment you are driving in and the changes other drivers are making in their speed and direction.

Lastly, when you know what to do and are alert to the situation, you need to exercise sound judgment.

There are several techniques to help you detect and avoid hazardous situations while driving. These techniques will be presented in depth to help develop your driving survival capabilities.


The Highway Transportation System

The Highway Transportation System (HTS) is a complex, integrated system made up of three elements:

Roadways Vehicles Drivers

In a perfect driving world, these elements would always be in top condition, making it much safer when you are driving. Even if the conditions are all very good, every other road user around you presents an uncertain and unpredictable risk. In reality, even if you think the condition of each of these elements is predictable, one or all of them may quickly and unexpectedly change.

Roadways

Roadways are classified by their function and surface condition. Roads that function as expressways and divided highways are traveled at high speeds and consequently have a greater risk of high-impact crashes. Slick or wet, low-traction surface conditions make it hard to control the speed and direction your vehicle is traveling. Consider how your drive becomes much more

dangerous when your tires fail to grip the road because of low-traction conditions.

Vehicles

We drive and are surrounded on the road by many types of vehicles that have unique handling and operating characteristics. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and difficult to see. Large trucks can block your line-of-sight. As other

vehicles present problems on the road, it is important to be confident that your vehicle is safe, all systems are fully operational and in good condition.

Drivers

There are many attentive, good drivers on the road with us. However, never let your guard down to the fact that sick, tired, angry, distracted, and impaired drivers can also be sharing the roadway. If you, as a driver, are not in good condition, take that into consideration before getting behind the wheel.

The HTS is designed to move and manage all of these different vehicles and drivers around the roadways. Traffic engineers and lawmakers have designed the roads, laws, and traffic controls to help drivers anticipate and predict what other road users are about to do. These efforts are in our best interest and reduce the chances of our crashing into each other. In our integrated transportation system all drivers have to depend on each other to follow the rules.


The Cost of Crashes

Motor vehicles play an extremely important role in our lives and our economy. Without them, most of us could not get to work, go to the grocery store, or travel outside of our own community. However, it is imperative that we understand the potential losses associated with motor vehicle collisions and unsafe driving practices.

Injury and death associated with traffic-related crashes are two of our largest societal problems. Consider the following personal and societal losses resulting from traffic collisions compiled from data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

The number of injuries and deaths due to collisions is considered to be of epidemic proportion. In 2009, over 30,700 people lost their lives and 1,517,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Among those killed, teenage drivers have the highest death rates per miles driven among all age groups, followed by elderly drivers and young adult males.

In addition to the fatality rates, there are over 5.5 million traffic collisions that are reported each year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these collisions cost the national economy over $70 billion as they relate to crash-related deaths and injuries among drivers and passengers. In addition, the cost of personal or family disruptions as well as mental and physical suffering can't possibly be measured in dollars.


The Leading Causes of Crashes

Every year, the NHTSA lists the main factors that contribute to or are associated with drivers and motorcycle operators in fatal crashes.

This list is one that should stick in every driver's mind. More often than not, more than one of these factors contributes to a fatality on our roadway. We will first introduce this list and later on go through each of these factors in depth.

The top 12 causes of fatal crashes:

1. Failing to maintain lane position.2. Speeding. This is not just exceeding the speed limit; it

is also categorized as driving too fast for conditions.3. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and

other medication.4. Failing to yield the right-of-way.5. Inattention, which includes distractions such as talking, eating, text messaging, etc.6. Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner. 7. Failing to obey traffic signs or signals. This category includes a driver not signaling the

intention to turn or change lanes, a common communication error.8. Improper driving technique.9. Making an improper turn.10. Driving when drowsy, sleepy, fatigued, ill, or after experiencing a blackout.11. Vision obscured. This may occur due to poor visibility conditions such as rain, snow,

glare, or driving into bright lights. Vision obstruction also occurs when your vision is blocked by trees, buildings, or other vehicles.

12. Driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

If you can associate these driving behaviors with your driving, recognize that they are the leading reasons for fatalities on our roadways. If you find yourself frequently doing any of the things on this list, remember the leading killer of persons age 3-33 is motor vehicle crashes.


The Social Responsibilities of Driving

Injury and death associated with traffic-related crashes are two of our largest societal problems.

Drivers depend on each other to obey the rules and driving is also a very social task. Many drivers don't think of that as they get behind the wheel.

Some drivers display a lack of courtesy. Courtesy is nothing more than showing respect for the rights and privileges of others using the roadway. It's simply a matter of displaying good manners while driving.

It is our social responsibility to pay attention, avoid distractions, and demonstrate “due care.” For example, if we are obeying the rules and the other driver isn't, it is still our responsibility to avoid a collision if possible. So, if you see another vehicle running a red light and you can stop or maneuver to avoid hitting it, it is your responsibility to demonstrate "due care." If you see a pedestrian dash in front of you, it is your responsibility to try to avoid hitting the pedestrian. The concepts of defensive driving - “watching out for the other guy” come into play in these types of driving scenarios.

Practicing patience is also a must. Many drivers are racing to and from their jobs and other responsibilities in this “time-starved” world we share. It seems as though everyone is in a hurry and because we have more and more vehicles on our already congested roads, it is extremely difficult to exercise patience. A simple solution to avoid becoming impatient is to allow yourself more time for your trip. Leave early and recognize how to control your emotions. We will discuss more about emotions and other driving responsibilities later in the course.


Review

In the U.S., each year approximately 1.5 million people are injured and around 30,000 people are killed in traffic collisions. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for people ages 3 to 33. Among those killed, teenage drivers have the highest death rates per miles driven among all age groups, followed by elderly drivers and young adult males. Every year the cost of crashes exceeds $230 billion.

Driving a motor vehicle involves the conduct of skilled and

properly timed actions under varying road and traffic conditions based on decisions that depend on:

Learned Information Realistic Perceptions Sound Judgments

The top 12 causes of fatal crashes:

1. Failing to maintain lane position 2. Speeding 3. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and other medication 4. Failing to yield the right-of-way 5. Inattention 6. Reckless driving 7. Failing to obey traffic signs or signals 8. Improper driving technique 9. Making an improper turn 10. Drowsy driving 11. Obscured vision 12. Driving the wrong way on a one-way street

Traffic engineers and lawmakers have designed the roads, laws, and traffic controls to help drivers anticipate and predict what other road users are about to do. These efforts are in our best interest and reduce the chances of our crashing into each other. In our integrated transportation system all drivers have to depend on each other to follow the rules.

Licensing and State LawsPage 1 of 6

Introduction

The privilege of operating a motor vehicle carries many responsibilities with it.

Understanding the laws and rules-of-the-road and exercising that knowledge with good judgment when operating a motor vehicle will help you prevent collisions. It will also reduce the chances of causing possible harm to yourself and others.

Basic laws are in place for all drivers to follow; however, there are some state-specific laws that you are obligated to follow when driving in Texas.

Understanding your responsibilities as a driver licensed to drive in Texas also includes being fully aware of Texas's

licensing procedures and licensing requirements.

If the state court system identifies you as an unsafe driver or finds you negligent of your responsibilities associated with driving, the court has the right to take away your privilege to drive at any time.

This module covers Texas' licensing and driving laws. The topics that will be addressed include:

Driving is a Privilege Licensing Requirements License Revocation and Suspension Financial Responsibility Other State Laws


Driving is a Privilege

Our society gives you the freedom to come and go where and when you wish. However, driving is not a constitutional right – it is a privilege you earned upon receiving your license. You are obligated to follow Texas' licensing regulations and rules of the road in order to keep that privilege.

New residents who are properly licensed in their own state or country have 90 days after moving to Texas to secure a Texas driver license. The Department of Public Safety will not issue a driver license or identification card to a person who has not established a domicile in Texas. The applicant may be able to receive a driver license at a post office box, if able to also provide a residence address.

Your licensing process is regulated by the state government and Texas has specific motor vehicle laws and designates various penalties for violation of these laws.

Traffic laws are in place to regulate the flow of traffic. They are designed for your safety and the safety of others you are sharing the road with. Basic traffic laws that all drivers on the road are obligated to follow include:

Do not drive in excess of the speed limit or slower than the minimum speed limit. If you have poor traction or poor visibility, slow down to maintain control and be able to stop if a hazard is in your path.

Slowing down or “rolling through” a STOP sign is not enough and is against the law. Stop before your vehicle enters the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk present, stop your

vehicle just before your front tires reach the bold stop bar marking on the pavement. If there is no stop bar, drivers should stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where they have a view of approaching traffic before entering the intersection.

Position your vehicle in the center of your traffic lane. Signal your intention to change lanes or turn.

To yield the right–of–way means to allow another road user to cross or use an intersection or roadway before you do. At an uncontrolled intersection, if another vehicle is in the lane you want to enter, they have the right–of–way. This is true when backing out of a driveway or when you exit a parking space in a parking lot. Be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary to give the right–of–way to vehicles on the roadway. Proceed when safe to do so.

A steady yellow signal light ahead warns you that your permission to proceed is about to be terminated. Begin to slow and be prepared to stop. A red light will soon appear indicating it is illegal for vehicle traffic going in your direction to enter the intersection. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution. Be prepared to yield to another vehicle or pedestrian if they are already in the intersection.

Besides obeying basic traffic laws, drivers have countless other responsibilities:

Fulfill your financial obligations associated with collisions you cause.

Demonstrate courtesy to others on the roadway. Protect your passengers at all times. Properly maintain your vehicle. Be familiar with your vehicle's features and functions. Drive only when you are mentally and physically fit to

safely operate your vehicle. Always stay focused on the task of driving.

Along with your driver's license comes the obligation to fulfill these responsibilities. The state point system is in place to help identify those who are not driving responsibly. If the pattern of non-compliance is not corrected, Texas will exercise its

right to remove your privilege to drive.

Licensing and State LawsPage 3 of 6Texas Graduated Driver Licensing

If you are under 18, you must show proof of driver education, verification of attendance in or completion of school, proof of social security, and proof of identification (TRC 521.204, 521.222 and 545.424) to receive a permit. All driver license applicants from 18 to 25 must take a six-hour driver education course. As of March 1, 2010, Texas law also mandates that

applicants ages 25 or younger must commit to a Texas-approved driver education course. A school district may also offer driver education and a traffic safety course each school year. The commissioner shall approve or put together the curriculum and course materials (whether the driver education is conducted by a school district, a specialized driver education school, or parent). Each course must contain:

Seven hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in the presence of a person who meets the Transportation Code Section 521.05 requirements to teach driver education.

Seven hours of observation instruction in the presence of a person who meets the Transportation Code Section 521.05 requirements to teach driver education.

20 hours of additional behind-the-wheel instruction (10 hours at night) in the presence of a person who meets the Transportation Code Section 521.222 (d) (2) requirements to teach driver education.

If you are under 18, you must hold an instruction permit or hardship license for a minimum of six months. Be aware that your provisional license will expire on your 18th birthday—which means that you will not have to annually renew your instructional permit or provisional license. You will have to pay a $15 issuance fee for your provisional license or instruction permit. Also, your instructor must be 21 years or older, must not be disabled due to mental illness, must not have six or more points on their driving record, and must have possessed a driver license for the past three years without any suspensions or revocations.As of May 1, 2010, Texas law now requires an additional 20 hours of behind-the-wheel of driver instruction-based on the TEA's (Texas Education Agency) criteria for curriculum (HB 339). As of November 30, 2009, the Texas Department of Public Safety also provides a special task force that will review and provide recommendations to the TEA for driver course material.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also collects data regarding the amount of collisions involved with students who were taught at public schools. The number of collisions is further determined by the number of an instructor's students who have completed their driver education course during the state's fiscal year, then dividing that number by the number of collisions involved with students who are in their first 12 months of licensure, and expressing the quotient as the final percentage. By October 1 of each year a publication is issued that lists the student's collision percentages and severity levels taught by each legally approved instructor.

There is no minimum time that you must hold a restricted motorcycle or moped license before you can apply for a Class M license. A person under 17 who holds a restricted motorcycle or moped license during a 12-month period may not ride between midnight and 5 a.m., unless absolutely necessary and may not use a wireless communication device while the motorcycle or moped is in motion. These rules do not apply to those who hold a hardship license. Also, those who are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission may operate a wireless or radio frequency device.

Your instruction permit must remain valid during the mandatory 6-month period. If your instruction permit is suspended during this period, the remainder of the 6-month period must be completed once the suspension has ended.

Once you have held a permit or hardship license for six months, you will be eligible to "graduate" to Phase Two and receive a Class C driver license, if you:

Are 16 years of age Completed and submitted a certificate of completion both the classroom and driving

portions of driver education to the department Have passed the vision and license exam Submitted a written parent or legal guardian consent form to the department that allows

for the department to access your driver school enrollment records Obtained a high school diploma, signed up to take the high school equivalency exam

after already completing 45 days of schooling, or were enrolled in school for at least 80 days in the fall or spring semester preceding the date of the driver license application.

If you are 15 years of age you may qualify for a hardship license (for more information regarding the hardship license, please contact the department). Phase Two lasts for one year. During this one-year period, you will have to comply with specific rules, such as carrying only one passenger who is under 21 years old in your vehicle and never driving between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., unless absolutely necessary. After this 1-year period, your license status is upgraded to be non-provisional.

Texas law requires that all applicants under the age of 18 take the driving skills exam to receive a driver license. Those who are under 18 years of age may not waive their driving test under any circumstances.

You must successfully complete the driver license requirements. It is considered a criminal offense to steal anyone's driver license, commercial driver license, or personal identification (HB 1282).

Organ Donation

If you wish to donate your organs, the Department of Public Safety offers "Live and Then Give" pamphlets to any person who visits a driver license office. The pamphlet has one detachable card that you can complete and carry as evidence of your intention to be an organ donor. A small sticker stating .DONOR. is also included and may be placed on the front of your driver license or identification card.


License Revocation and Suspension

Know and follow the laws that govern the use of our roadways. If you choose not to demonstrate safe driving competence, your driver's license may be suspended or revoked.

The Point System identifies those who may be habitually negligent drivers. The Driver Responsibility Law (TRC § 708; Article 10, House Bill 3588, 78th Legislative Session) establishes a system which assigns points to moving violations classified as Class C misdemeanors and applies surcharges to offenders, based upon the type of offense and the time period in which the citation was received. For each conviction, DPS will assign points to a person's driver license as follows:

A moving violation in Texas or another state: 2 points Child safety seat violation: 2 points A moving violation in Texas that resulted in a vehicle crash: 3 points

All accumulated points remain on your record for 3 years.

Point Surcharges

If you receive 6 points or more on your record within 3 years, you must pay a surcharge. It is $100 for the first 6 points and $25 for each additional point. These surcharges do not replace other consequences of the violation.

If you receive a conviction for any of the following offenses, you are required to pay an annual surcharge for 3 years from the date of conviction:

First Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), or a DWI-related conviction: $1,000 annual surcharge

Second DWI Conviction: $1,500 annual surcharge Conviction with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.16 or greater: $2,000 annual

surcharge Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility: $250 annual surcharge Driving While License Expired: $250 annual surcharge Driving without a Valid License: $200 annual surcharge

Suspension is the temporary removal of your driving privilege. It's an action that may be taken after a review of your driving record. The suspension remains in effect for a specific amount of time and then you may apply for reinstatement. In addition to the reinstatement fee, you must pay the appropriate license application fee for your age group. You will commit a class B

misdemeanor if you decide to drive while your license is suspended.

Revocation is the removal of your privilege to drive. It is required by law upon conviction of certain driving offenses. Once your revocation period has ended, your driving privileges will remain revoked until an investigation is completed. The investigation is to determine that all withdrawal actions have ended, and that all statutory requirements are met. You will be required to pay the appropriate application fee and reinstatement fee, and you may be required to file a Certificate of Insurance. A written, vision and road test may also be required.

Your license may be suspended or revoked for a variety of reasons. Read below for a list of just a few of them:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance

Driving recklessly Leaving the scene of a collision Failing to satisfy a citation or appear in court Refusing to take a chemical test Displaying a canceled, altered, or fictitious license

Documents

Driver Safety