ADTSEA Minimum Standards for In-Car Performance
A student enrolled in an
American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association’s certified driver
education program should be able to perform the following driver behavioral
skills and concepts in order to achieve successful completion of the course.
1.0
Basic Skills and Associated Behavior
1.1
Getting Ready to Drive
Approach the vehicle with awareness.
Check outside and inside of vehicle before opening
the door.
Lock doors.
Adjust head restraints, seat position, mirrors,
safety restraints, steering wheel position.
Check all occupants for safety belt use.
Be able to demonstrate effective meaning and usage
of all gauges.
1.2
Starting the Vehicle
Parking brake in set position.
Proper gear selected for starting.
Foot securing brake pedal.
Demonstrate proper use of ignition starting device.
Demonstrate ability to select and use appropriate
accessories.
Makes appropriate gear selection for movement.
Puts headlights on – day and night.
Prepares to move the vehicle.
1.3
Placing Vehicle in Motion
Visually identify open space to enter before moving
foot from brake to gas.
Communicates to other users.
Places the vehicle into motion smoothly.
1.4
Stopping Vehicle Motion
Search effectively ahead of the vehicle to determine
braking needs.
Use controlled braking efficiently with heal of foot
on floorboard.
Check rear prior to braking.
Apply a firm squeezing braking force at the
beginning of the braking process.
Bring the vehicle to a smooth stop.
Ease pressure off brake during last two seconds of
braking to east pitch of vehicle.
Check the rear zone/space before, during, and after
braking actions.
Demonstrate effective use of maximum ABS braking.
1.5
Steering
Use sightlines to determine steering entry and steering
return.
Use a balanced hand position on the wheel.
Use the Hand-Over-Hand or Push-Pull (Turning),
Hand-to-Hand (Curvatures), One Hand (Reverse), or Evasive Action (Avoidance
methods effectively.
Turn head and visually target in the direction of
intended travel path prior to turning.
Visually check the rear/side mirrors and mirror
blind areas.
1.6
Securing the Vehicle
Set parking brake and shift into appropriate gear
before removing food from brake.
Turn off appropriate accessories prior to turning
off ignition and removing key.
Visually check traffic flow before opening door.
Lock doors and/or secure any alarm system.
2.0
Judgment of Vehicle to Roadway Position
2.1
Right Side of Vehicle
Determine when the vehicle is positioned within 3-6”
of the curb or lane line.
Determine when the vehicle is positioned within 3-4
feet of the curb or line.
Determine when the vehicle is positioned within 6-8
feed of the curb or line.
2.2
Left Side of Vehicle
Determine when the vehicle is positioned within 3-6”
of the curb or lane line.
2.3
Front of Vehicle
Determine when the front bumper is positioned even
with the curb line.
2.4
Rear of Vehicle
Determine when the rear bumper is positioned even
with a line.
2.5
Front Turning Point of Vehicle
Determine where on the road the front is positioned
for turning left.
Determine where on the road the front is positioned
for turning right.
3.0
Visualization of Intended Travel Path
3.1
Identify
Identify a stationary object or area that appears in
the center of your intended travel path.
3.2
Educate
Identify the traffic problems and elements in and
near the area.
Evaluate conditions and determine best approach
speed and lane position.
3.3
Changes
While evaluating the target area, develop an image
of your targeting path.
Identify elements that can change or modify the
intended travel path.
4.0
Searching Intended Travel Path
4.1
Area to Area Searching
Search to the area ahead to evaluate its conditions
and determine entry speed and position.
Search for changes that can or will affect your
approach to the target area.
As you are en route to the area, continually
re-evaluate your immediate 4-6 second travel path.
As you approach the area, search for your new target
area and new travel path.
4.2
Know How to Judge Space in Seconds
Visualize the space your vehicle will occupy at
least 12-15 seconds ahead.
Search 12-15 seconds ahead, continually evaluating
the 4-6 second immediate path.
Speed and/or lane position adjustment may be
required when the search areas cannot be maintained.
4.3
Detect Changes
Identify a modification in the ability to see or maintain
a travel path.
When change is recognized, check for speed and lane
adjustments.
4.4
Identify Open, Closed or Changing Spaces
Identify the intended travel path as an open, closed
or changing condition.
Evaluate open, closed or changing conditions for speed
and position adjustments.
4.5
Searching Intersections
When approaching an intersection, look for open
space to the left, front and right.
When approaching an intersection, see changing
spaces and make necessary speed and/or lane position adjustments.
Before entering an intersection, search for open
spaces to the left, front and right.
4.6
Searching Curves and Over Hills Into
When the target area is a curve or a hill crest,
search through the curve or over the hill crest for the possible closed or
changing status.
Before entering a curve or a hill crest, evaluate
for appropriate speed and position adjustments.
5.0
Speed Control
5.1
Selection for Ongoing Conditions
Travel speed should be based upon driver, vehicle,
legal, roadway, and environmental limitations.
Constant adjustments to speed are based on driver
processing information, based on limitations.
5.2
After Seeing Changes
Avoid using acceleration into a closed or changing
space.
Recognizing a closed space (a red light or stopped
traffic), adjust speed to arrive as the space opens.
When your ability to see is reduced, adjust speed to
maintain or establish space.
5.3
After Seeing a Speed Limit Sign
Recognize it as a cue to check vehicle gauges,
mirrors, and evaluate conditions.
Adjust speed to meet driver, vehicle, legal, roadway,
and environmental limitations.
6.0
Lane Position Selection
6.1
Select the appropriate lane for space management, legal requirements,
and destination.
6.2
Lane position usage while driving straight ahead.
Select a lane position to give best separation from
closed or changing space.
Demonstrate ability to place vehicle in appropriate
lane position.
6.3
Lane position usage while approaching curves and hill crests.
Establish the appropriate lane position on approach.
Establish the appropriate lane position of apex.
Establish the appropriate lane position on exiting.
7.0
Rear Searching and Control
7.1
Inside mirror usage
Search to the rear before and after making a turn or
a stop.
Search tot he rear before and after making a speed
adjustment.
Search to the rear before and after making a lane
position adjustment.
7.2
Outside Mirrors, Convex Mirrors, Mirror Blind Space Checks
Check the side view mirror before adjusting a lane
position in that direction.
Visually check mirror blind space after side view
mirror use, before turning the steering wheel.
Check the convex mirror before adjusting a lane
position in that direction.
7.3
Evaluate condition to the rear
Determine if the rear space is an open, closed, or
changing condition.
When a tailgater is closing or changing the rear
space, determine the appropriate speed or lane adjustment needed.
8.0
Following Time and Space
8.1
Closure rate on approach
Approach the vehicle in front gradually, avoiding a
fast closure rate.
8.2
Moving at same speed – maintaining four seconds of time.
When following another vehicle, work to maintain
four seconds of time and space.
Adjust speed or lane position if four seconds of
time is difficult to maintain.
8.3
When stopping behind vehicles
When stopped behind a vehicle ahead keep a minimum
of fifteen feet of space.
When stopped behind a vehicle without visibility to
the rear, be able to see the driver in it’s side view mirror.
8.4
Delay start, before moving
9.0
Communication and Courtesy
9.1
Technique
Turn signal light on before turning right or left.
Lane changer signal appropriate for moving to
another lateral position.
Headlights on at all times to increase visibility.
Horn usage should be to make others aware of your
presence.
Tap brake lights to warn rear traffic of a slowdown
or stop in the traffic flow.
Vehicle speed and position could communicate the
driver’s intention.
Hand signals should be used to establish eye contact
with other roadway users.
9.2
Timing
Put signal light on at least five seconds prior to
moving since communication requires time to be sent, received and acted upon.
Communicate early so that your safe path-of-travel
can best be controlled.
9.3
Commitment
Make sure your messages are acknowledged by others.
10.0
Using Three Steps to Problem-Solving
10.1
See a change to your line-of-sight and/or to your path-of-travel
Look for what may no longer make your intended
path-of-travel available or safe.
10.2
After seeing a change ahead, check your other spaces
Look for related information.
Look for alternate path-of-travel.
Get all information before acting.
10.3
Get the Best Speed Control, Lane Position, and Communication for the
Conditions.
10.4
Use a Practice Commentary to Help Develop the Process into Habit
Start with an appropriate speed and lane position
for limitations and conditions
Look
for space changes.
Explain
and demonstrate the three steps to control space change.
Develop the process for 10-15 minutes at a time as a
rear seat occupant/observer.
Repeat the process for 10-15 minutes at a time as a
driver.
11.0
Responses to Emergency Situation
11.1
Identify and Respond to Vehicle Failures
Demonstrate ability to recognize engine failure and
respond with appropriate actions.
Demonstrate ability to recognize brake failure and
respond with appropriate actions.
Demonstrate ability to recognize tire pressure
failure and respond with appropriate actions.
11.2
Identify and Respond to Environmental Conditions
Demonstrate ability to recognize traction loss and
respond with appropriate actions.
Demonstrate ability to recognize when tires drop off
pavement and respond with appropriate actions.
Demonstrate ability to recognize sudden roadway
restrictions and respond with appropriate actions.
In addition to the behavioral skills and concepts
described above, a student enrolled in an ADTSEA certified driver education
program should be able to successfully demonstrate the key core behavioral
patterns while performing the following procedures.
P1. Precision Turns
Demonstrate and explain
proper position.
Demonstrate and explain
position ahead.
Search intersection
left, front, and right to ascertain open spaces.
Look into the turn
before turning the steering wheel.
P2. Approach to Intersections
See and respond to space
ahead
Check and respond to
conditions to the rear
Establish and maintain
proper lane usage and speed control
Search left, front, and
right for changes, get open space before entering
Demonstrate and use
staggered, legal, and safety stop when applicable
P3. Timing Arrival for Open Space
See condition of traffic
light; adjust speed to arrive at a green light.
Adjust speed to reduce
closure rate and to arrive in an open space.
Adjust speed to maintain
safe space.
P4. Precision Lane Change
Evaluate mirror blind
spots.
Move to the left side of
lane for left lane change.
Move to right side of
lane for right lane change.
Make final mirror blind
spot check.
Enter new lane.
Decide on best lane
position for conditions.
P5. Approach to Curves
See curve in target
area.
Check all space for
options.
Establish effective
speed control.
P6. Passing/Being Passed
Identify tailgater
problems for speed and lane position adjustments.
Evaluate gain versus
risk prior to attempting passing maneuver.
Check all conditions.
Control speed and lane
position.
P7. Getting On/Off Highways
Slowest speed on
entrance ramp for maximum searching time and options.
Evaluate gap to enter.
Effective speed on
acceleration lane.
Getting off: plan ahead, test brakes.
P8. Backing Techniques
Effective searching
prior to and while backing.
Effective use of brake
for speed control.
Effective steering
technique.
P9. Perpendicular Parking, Backing into a 90
degree Space
Establish side position.
Demonstrate proper
forward position.
Use minimum space to go
forward.
Evaluate alignment to
space.
Back to pivot point, turn
wheel.
Visually target center
of vehicle or space to the rear.
Straighten tires,
demonstrate rear limitation reference.
P10. Responding to Emergency Situations
Encourage use of vision control, motion control, and
steering control sequences.
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