Driving Risks & Responsibilities

NV Driver Education Curriculum

Unit 1: Driver Responsibility and Licensing

Presentation 2 of 4

Before we begin...Let’s Talk About It

Take 60 seconds to discuss:

Why do you think Nevada requires teens to take Driver Education?

Share your thoughts with a partner.

Share your thoughts with a partner.

What is Risk?

Risk is defined as the chance of injury, damage, or loss.

One of the major difference between new and experienced drivers is the ability to judge the level of risk.

Characteristics of Risk

A collision can occur at any time or place• Risk is always present

– More than 50% of all crashes are single-vehicle (most on relatively straight, rural stretches of roadway)

• Perceived risk differs from actual risk– If visibility is limited, be alert and adjust your speed

• Risk is affected by all road users– Pedestrians, animals,

cyclist and drivers

• Risk can be managed– Separate risks by time

and space

Low Risk Driving

Low-risk driving habits include:• Using knowledge and visual skills• Judging speed, time, and space• Anticipating how your vehicle will respond:

– under ordinary conditions and

– under emergencyconditions

1 out of 10

vehicles is

involved in a

crash each year

Driving Hazards Videos

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

See Ford’s Driving Skills for Life#1 Hazard Recognition

https://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&Itemid=41&id=47

(7:45) Intersections, Distraction & Scanning

Mental Skills of Driving

Safe low-risk driving involves mental skills:

– Critical judgment

– Continuous monitoring

Teen drivers grossly over estimate their driving ability

(overconfidence negatively impacts ability to assess true risk of any given situation)

Driver error causes more than 90% of traffic crashes

Driving ErrorsTop errors committed in crashes involving 16-18 year old drivers

Review of 2,000 crashes in California & Maryland

% Errors Committed

20.8% Did not pay adequate attention to the path of travel

13.7% Drove five or more miles per hour too fast for conditions

6.6% Tried to drive through a curve at too high a speed

6.3% Inadequate search at intersection & pulled in front of cross traffic

6.1% Lack of adequate attention at intersection & were struck by another

5.6% Used improper evasive action (too much/little steering for speed)

3.9% Failed to maintain a sufficient visual lead

3.9% Failed to see action developing at the side of the roadway

3.9% Were following too closely

3.3% Failed to yield the right-of-way

Managing Risk

• Consider the possibility of a dangerous situation developing

• Identify possible alternative actions

• Consider the consequences of each action

• Prepare to change speed or direction to manage or control the situation

Keys to Reducing Risk

Reduce risk by managing:• Time

Give self enough time to make adjustments – managed by your vehicle speed and creating distance between you and others

• Visibility Maximize your visibility of the traffic scene

• Space Allow adequate space between you and other roadway elements

When Vision is Blocked

When your vision is blocked, assume that there is an approaching risk hidden from sight

Enhancing Your Visibility

Use daytime running lights allows your vehicle to be seen almost twice the distance and your presence detected sooner.

Reduce Distractions

Driver distraction (i.e. cell phone, passengers, eating, make-up)

contribute to 25% of all police-reported traffic crashes

Many states prohibit cell phones and texting while driving.

It Just Takes Seconds… Video

See Wales PSA videoTexting While driving

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Texting-Whilst-Driving-UK_703414.htm

(4:15)WARNING: Graphic Accident Portrayal – Used by Wales police in local area schools

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

See Nat’l Safety Council videoIt Just Takes Seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQcaef8Pcjk

(3:45)Parents Story 16yr-old Teen death

Physical Skills of Driving

Physical skills of driving include:• Keeping your eyes on the road• Scanning your mirrors• Smooth acceleration and braking• Proficient steering control

IMPORTANT: Know how your vehicle will respond (vehicles differ in size, weight and dimensions & respond differently)

Social Skills of Driving

Social skills include the ability to interact with others on the roadways:

• Communicate with your turn signals• Remain calm and patient• Be courteous

Driving Responsibilities

Driving is a privilege which has responsibilities.• Make rational decisions• Use good judgment and self-control• Value yourself and others

– Be a safe low-risk driver– Buckle up and have

passengers do the same

• Respect your vehicle – You are driving a weapon that

can hurt or kill others or yourself

Fatal Collisions

Age # of Drivers Fatality Rate(per million miles driven)

16 21,314 10.0

17 35,595 8.6

18 41,172 7.3

19 45,697 7.6

All ages 3,388,055 3.9

Novice drivers have much higher crash rates

Crash risk is highest during the early years of driving

From: Maryland Teen Driver Fatal Accident Picture

Legal Responsibilities

Legal responsibility come with obtaining a license. When you get behind the wheel you agreed to:•Obey traffic laws•Be liable for collisions

– Must stop if involved in a collision– Traffic crashes cost time and money– If at fault responsible for paying

for any injuries and/or damages

Young Drivers & Alcohol

Young people are over-represented in driving accidents involving alcohol.

In the U.S. 12.8% of all fatal crashed were alcohol-related, and 40% of that number involved teens driving before or while drinking alcohol.

DUI Laws for Young Drivers

Under 21yrs-old a blood alcohol level of 0.02 (or above) is illegal

Juveniles found to being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances will be have license suspended.

May be required to undergo evaluation for abuse and ordered alcohol or drug treatment.

Nevada has an

open container law

Don’t Be a DUI Victim

Knowing what to look for in another may keep you from being a DUI victim

•Serving, weaving or drifting•No headlights at night•Stopping or turning abruptly•Driving too slow•Sudden speed changes•Responds slowly to signal light

Report suspected drunk driving in Nevada dial *NHP

Financial Responsibilities

Driving financial responsibilitiesinclude:

• Fixed costs– cost of the car, registration and insurance

• Operating cost – fuel, oil, tires, and vehicle maintenance

• Crash Costs – must maintain auto insurance– may include litigation and jail time

Insurance

NV has mandatory insurance and financial responsibility laws

• Must carry a minimum amount of liability • Must report any accident causing $750 or more in

damages or if anyone injured – within 10 days

If you do not report an accident to DMV, your license and/or vehicle registration may be suspended.

Driving Tip

Always use your turn signal

•Even if you are in a turn lane (when you think it is obvious)

•Especially when changing lanes (at least 100 feet prior)

Make your intensions clear to everyone

to pedestrians as well as motorist

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Test Your Knowledge

Driving under the influence of any drug, which affects your driving safety is:

A.Permitted if prescribed by a doctor

B.Permitted unless it impairs your vision

C.Permitted if it is a diet pill or cold medication

D.Considered driving under the influence and is illegal

Test Your Knowledge

This sign means:

A. Divided highway ahead

B. The right lane ends ahead

C. Slow down, pavement ends

D. Stay to the right, a lane will merge from the left

Test Your Knowledge

While all of the following are dangerous to do while driving, which is also illegal?

A.Eating

B.Reading a road map

C.Adjusting your outside mirrors

D.Listening to music through a set of dual headphones