OPERATION HELP
A Program to Encourage Parent
Involvement
HOMEWORK is more than a mental exercise. It is the means of internalizing ideas that
can be brought to bear in making important driving decisions.
EXAMPLE
Your good EXAMPLE is crucial. How can you reasonably expect your son or
daughter to obey laws or to employ safety procedures that you shun or
disobey? BE A GOOD EXAMPLE WHEN YOU
DRIVE.
LIAISON
LIAISON between the teachers of the driver
education department and parents is important.
We want you to know what we are trying to do. We want feedback from you so that we can do our job better.
PRACTICE driving at home is an important to
becoming a good driver as home practice is between music lessons or any other
kind of performance endeavor. The
making of a driver can not be accomplished in a few minutes or even a few
hours.
The
PRIDE curriculum development has had as its goal the production of a safe and
efficient driver. The curriculum was designed
by using the inputs of interested and concerned individuals, committees, and
organizations to achieve this goal.
Primary responsibility for the
curriculum construction was undertaken by Richard Meyerhoff, Waterloo Community
Schools. With the cooperation of the
Waterloo School District and its driver education staff, Dick was given time to
work on the curriculum under the auspices of project PRIDE, and the Iowa
Department of Public Instruction.
Recognition must also be given to
the curriculum advisory committee for their constructive criticism. This committee included Dr. Richard Bishop,
Mr. Richard Boyer, Mr. Steve Hamann, Dr. Allan Robinson, and Dr. Robert
Ulrich. Inputs were also made by Iowa
University personnel involved in the preparation of driver education
instructors.
The funds for this undertaking were
made available from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the authority
of section 402 of the Highway Safety Act of 1966. The opinion and contents in this publication are those of the
authors and not necessarily those of the U.S. Department of Transportation,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Dear Parents:
You are probably wondering why the driver education teaching is suggesting that the parent would provide practice driving at home. Home practice is not intended to be a substitute for practice driving in the driver education car. Instead, it is intended to be a supplement to in-school driving experience. We have an important reason for this.
The amount of time allocated for practice driving is
directly related to the amount of money that is allocated for driver education
teachers and vehicle operating expenses.
For a number of students with previous driving experience, the time is
adequate to learn all of the skills necessary to become a safe driver. In some instances where the student is
inexperienced or where progress is slow, the amount of time available is too
short to satisfactorily complete the course.
With most of these students practically all of the instructional time is
spent learning fundamentals. As a
result, no time is left for advanced and emergency driving skills that are so
vital in modern driving conditions.
Enclosed in this booklet are some teaching
suggestions and a performance check list that can be used as a guide for
practice and a record of performance.
We recommend that you would not attempt to practice skills that have not
been previously practiced in the school situation.
By providing a few hours of practice driving you
will make it possible for your student to be a more finished driver at the end
of the driver education course. In the
meantime, we will continue to work on advanced and crucial driving skills that
are of the life saving variety. If you
have any questions or problems, we will welcome your telephone call or a
personal conference.
Sincerely,
Your
Driver Education Instructor
I INTRODUCTION
1.
Driving – A Personal Challenge
2.
Signs, Signals and Markings
II BASIC CONTROL
1.
Pre-start
2.
Starting, Entering Traffic, Securing
3.
Speed
4.
Steering
5.
Braking
6.
Turning
7.
Backing
III SYSTEM INTERACTION
1.
Intersecting
2.
Lane Selection and Placement
3.
Lane Changing
4.
Merging
5.
Following and Being Followed
6.
Oncoming Vehicles
7.
Passing and Being Passed
8.
Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Other Vehicles
9.
Parking and Turnabouts
IV DRIVING ENVIRONMENT
1.
Urban
2.
Highway
3.
Limited Access
4.
Roadway Surfaces
5.
Reduced Visibility
a.
Weather
b.
Night
V CRITICAL SITUATIONS
1.
Unexpected Actions of Other Drivers
2.
Vehicle Failure
3.
Lateral Acceleration Recovery
4.
Driver Actions
VI FACTORS INFLUENCING PERFORMANCE AND
SURVIVABILITY
1.
Alcohol and Other Drugs
2.
Driver Characteristics
a.
Physical Fitness
b.
Psychological Factors
3.
Vehicle Maintenance
4.
Vehicle Selection
5.
Legal Responsibilities
a.
Insurance
b.
Crash Scene
VII TRIP PLANNING
1.
Route Selection
2.
Time Factors
3.
Equipment
4.
Loading Considerations
1.
A good teacher is patient. It takes time to learn a complex skill such as driving.
2.
A good teacher explains, demonstrates and tells why.
3.
A good teacher remains calm. If he gets excited, the student will most likely get excited too.
4.
A good teacher commends his student when he shows improvement
or handles a driving situation with skill.
5.
A good teacher does not cut his student down or use
sarcasm as a teaching approach.
6.
A good teacher is more positive than negative. Most of his remarks about the student’s
driving are positive.
7.
A good teacher is able to determine what the student is
doing wrong and then tell the driver how to correct his error.
8.
A good teacher tells the student what he is expected to
do at the beginning of the practice session.
9.
A good teacher reviews weaknesses that were noted in
the previous lesson.
10.
A good teacher helps his student to feel good about
himself.
11.
A good teacher keeps a record of each lesson. To do this take the performance check list
with you for each lesson.
12.
A good teacher is a good example when the drives. Chances are strong that your driver will
imitate your driving style.
SAFEGUARDING THE DRIVING
SITUATION
There are a number of precautions you can take to
prevent difficulty during the practice session. It will pay you to become familiar with them before you take your
driver for a ride. Be sure that the
student understands the instruments and controls. They may differ greatly from the driver education car.
1.
Plan before you drive.
Be sure that your driver knows exactly where he is going and what he is
going to do.
2.
Drive to a quiet practice area if you feel that it is
necessary for safety. It is never a
good idea to put a beginner into traffic before he is sure of controlling his
car.
3.
Avoid night driving during early lessons. Darkness can be a serious handicap for a
beginner.
4.
Keep the speed low during early lessons. This will give your driver longer to see and
decide what to do.
5.
Look and think well ahead of your driver. Give directions well in advance.
6.
Keep the level and tone of your voice low. Sound as calm as possible.
7.
Avoid driving during the rush hour or in crowded
conditions.
8.
Use an auxiliary hand-held mirror to keep track of
conditions to the rear.
9.
PRACTICE STOPPING IN A QUIET AREA until you are sure
that your driver can stop his car quickly and reliably upon your command,
“STOP”. This is your dual control.
10.
Maintain a friendly relationship with your learner.
EMERGENCY ACTIONS YOU CAN
TAKE
1. Turn
off the ignition to cut the power.
2. Take
steering control by either straightening or turning the wheel.
3. Shift
to neutral to cut the power to the rear wheels.
4. Apply
the brakes from your side of the car.
5. Feed
gas from your side of the car by reaching across with your foot.
PRACTICE TIPS
FIRST DRIVE
On the first drive, or until
your driver gains confidence and skill, drive your car away from your
neighborhood to a quiet practice area.
SHOW AND TELL
Be sure that your driver
understands his vehicle. Read the
Owner’s manual. When necessary,
demonstrate a skill to your driver and then have him practice it.
GIVE DIRECTIONS EARLY
Quietly and clearly give
directions to your driver well in advance of the situation. It helps to point with your finger when
giving directions.
HOW TO HANDLE MISTAKES
The student probably feels
pressure over making a mistake without comment from the parent. One way to handle an error would be, “we
went a bit wide on that right turn.
Let’s try another one and when we approach the corner, go a bit slower.”
EXPECT MISTAKES IN THE BEGINNING
Don’t try to correct all
mistakes in the beginning. Errors are a
natural part of learning a complex skill.
POINT TOWARD PERFECTION
Pick out one skill and
concentrate on it, (braking, turning corners, backing). The longer you permit a driver to practice a
mistake, the harder it will be to change.
TIME IS YOUR ALLY
Nobody learns anything
instantly. This is especially true of
driving skills. It usually takes a
number of practice attempts to perfect a skill, but it is work it. Be patient.
Let time work for you.
KEEP THE LESSON SHORT IN THE BEGINNING
Shorter more frequent lessons
are more efficient than are longer lessons.
Your driver may tire quickly during the early lessons. Take a break when he does.
REWARD SUCCESS
Be sure to let your driver
know that he is improving. One of the greatest
rewards you can give him is your approval.
WHEN TO END THE LESSON
When your driver becomes tired
or confused or when his skills begin to deteriorate, end the lesson or take a
break. He will rarely improve when he
is tired.
HOW TO TEACH YOUR TEENAGER DRIVING JUDGMENT AND DECISION
MAKING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING
|
1. Stopped at
stop sign |
1. Ask your
student to pick the gap to cross through street or join traffic with a left
or right turn. |
|
2.
Approaching for left turn with oncoming traffic |
2. “Should we
complete the turn or should we stop and wait for oncoming vehicles?” Have student pick the gap. |
|
3. You are
approaching a traffic light |
3. “Will the
traffic light ahead stay green or change to yellow?” |
|
4. Approaching
uncontrolled intersection |
4. “Is the
next intersection controlled or uncontrolled?” |
|
5. Passing
situation |
5. “Should we
pass the car ahead or stay in line?” |
|
6. Parked
position |
6. “Should we
pull out or remain standing?” |
|
7. Roadside
hazards |
7. Judge the
extent of roadside hazards, shoulder, ditch, poles, posts, trees, etc. |
|
8. You are
about to meet an oncoming car where cars are parked on both sides of the
street and the space is narrow |
8. “Should we
continue or stop?” |
|
9. Driving
into tight spaces |
9. “Ask
driver to help you judge if space is adequate. |
TEACHING STICK SHIFT AT
HOME
1. Learn
Automatic First:
If possible, learn to turn,
steer and stop in an automatic shift car first. With these skills learned your driver will be able to concentrate
on the more difficult stick shift skills.
2. Demonstrate:
Demonstrate the clutch-shift
technique during routine drives and immediately prior to the driving
lesson. Explain what you are
doing and tell why you are doing it.
3. Shifting:
Have your driver practice
shifting while the car is standing still.
This will simplify the learning process.
4. Quiet
Open Area:
A large empty parking lot is a
good place to begin early lessons. Your
driver will learn faster when he does not have to worry about other cars and
fixed objects.
5. Repetition:
Try a series of several starts
in first gear. Break down a complex
series of tasks into simple tasks. Then
put them together into a total operation.
6. Stay
Out of Traffic:
Until your driver is quite
reliable on starts it is best to stay out of traffic. Work in light traffic first and then increase the difficulty as
your driver increases his skill.
7. Begin
by Reviewing:
Review old skills at the
beginning of each lesson. Keep in mind
that forgetting is normal and that a brief review will bring your driver up to
his former level of skill.
8. Pressure
Wrecks Performance:
Speak quietly to your
driver. Pressure that comes from you
and from other drivers will cause your driver to kill the engine and make other
mistakes that he would otherwise not make.
9. Analyze
Mistakes:
Is the student feeding too
much or too little gas? Is he
hesitating at the friction point?
(clutch takes hold) Is he coordinating
both gas and clutch effectively?
11.
Take a Break:
Leg and foot muscles become
tired very quickly when a beginner is trying to exert precise control of the
gas pedal and clutch. Frequently the
beginner will begin to make mistakes when he becomes too tired. A short break will often result in improved
performance.
IS MY DRIVER READY TO SOLO?
1.
Why does your driver want to drive?
(+1) _____ Transportation to
school and to work
(0) _____ Social and dating
(-1) _____ Speed and
performance
2.
What is your driver’s grade point average?
(+2) _____ 3.5+
(+1) _____ 3.0+
(0) _____ 2.0+
(-1) _____ 1.0 and below
3.
Is your driver a good decision maker?
(+1) _____ Consistently makes
good driving decisions.
(0) _____ Makes a poor
decision once in awhile.
(-1) _____ Makes dangerous
errors occasionally.
4.
How much responsibility does your driver demonstrate in
other areas of his life such as home, school and job?
(+1) _____ Self directive, very
dependable
(0) _____ Needs parental
direction
(-1) _____ Irresponsible,
lacks maturity
5.
How does your driver react toward home, school and
public authority?
(+1) _____ Accepts and respects
it
(0) _____ Indifferent to it
(-1) _____ Rebels against it
6.
How does your driver feel about other people and their
rights?
(+1) _____ Considerate
(0) _____ Unconcerned
(-1) _____ Selfish and
Inconsiderate
7.
How well does your driver handle your car?
(+1) _____ Very precisely and
carefully
(0) _____ Makes handling
errors occasionally
(-1) _____ Poor car handler
8.
Does your driver demonstrate a good understanding of
the traffic laws and above all, does he demonstrate a willingness to obey them?
(+1) _____ Very good
(0) _____ Occasional lapses
(-1) _____ Poor understanding
and performance
9.
Does your driver demonstrate a good understanding of
the traffic environment in which he must operate?
(+1) _____ Excellent
understanding and ability
(0) _____ Average or
limited ability
(-1) _____ Weak. Little or no experience operating under said
conditions. (Example: Ice, snow darkness, very heavy traffic.)
+9 to +12 Driver
qualifies to a very high degree.
+5 to +8 Driver
qualifies for limited driving under favorable conditions.
+1 to +4 Driver
qualifies for limited and carefully controlled solo driving.
0 Driver
is borderline and you should expect trouble with
violations
and accidents if you grant solo privileges.
-1 or more Driver is a poor risk. Strongly advise against granting solo
privileges until the score improves.
HOME PRACTICE – BASIC CONTROL
PRE-START
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Lock the doors
____ 2. Adjust the seat
____ 3. Adjust mirrors
____ 4. Fasten lap shoulder harness
STARTING
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Identify instruments and controls
____ 2. Start the engine
____ 3. Shift into gear
ENTERING TRAFFIC
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Signal
____ 2. Check for traffic
____ 3. Steer out of space
____ 4. Center car in lane
LEAVE TRAFFIC
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Signal
____ 2. Brake
____ 3. Steer into position next to curb
SECURE VEHICLE
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Stop the car
____ 2. Shift to park
____ 3. Remove key
____ 4. Check rear before leaving car
SPEED CONTROL
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Read speed limit signs and obey them
____ 2. Adjust speed to traffic and weather
conditions
____ 3. Drive an even speed
STEERING CONTROL
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Keep his car within his lane
____ 2. Move from lane to lane smoothly and
precisely
BRAKING
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Apply the brakes quickly and smoothly
____ 2. Stop without jerking the car
____ 3. Flash the brake lights
____ 4. Stop accurately at crosswalks and other
stopping situations
____ 5. Brake softly as when brakes are applied
as a precaution
____ 6. Pump the brakes as when stopping on ice
TURNING
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Show a correct signal in time
____ 2. Reduce speed for the turn
____ 3. Look carefully left and right
____ 4. Yield to cars and pedestrians
____ 5. Turn the wheel without shuffling
____ 6. Enter the new street without slicing
left turns or going over the curb on right turns
____ 7. Straighten out in the proper lane when
completing the turn
BACKING
Your driver should be able to do the following:
____ 1. Look over the right shoulder when
backing
____ 2. Put his left hand at the top of the
wheel
____ 3. Keep speed at a low level
____ 4. Glance toward front for fender
clearance
____ 5. Turn the wheel in the direction he
wants the car to move
HOME PRACTICE – SYSTEM INTERACTION
INTERSECTING
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Brake and look for cross traffic where
intersections are uncontrolled.
____ 2. Yield to oncoming traffic when making
left turns.
____ 3. Yield to pedestrians in all points of
the intersection.
____ 4. Yield to cross traffic at uncontrolled
intersections.
LANE SELECTION AND PLACEMENT
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Center the vehicle within a traffic
lane.
____ 2. Place the car away from parked cars
where possible.
____ 3. Choose the correct lane to make right
and left turns.
____ 4. Select the lane that presents the least
problems.
LANE CHANGING
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Check mirror and look over shoulder.
____ 2. Signal.
____ 3. Yield to other cars.
____ 4. Make a smooth accurate lane change.
MERGING
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Identify merge situations well in
advance.
____ 2. Merge smoothly and safely with the
through lane of traffic.
FOLLOWING AND BEING FOLLOWED
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Space his vehicle 2 seconds from the
vehicle ahead.
____ 2. Signal and stop gradually when being
followed.
ONCOMING VEHICLES
____ 1. Identify the problems of oncoming
vehicles.
____ 2. Allow extra space when the oncoming
driver has a problem.
PASSING AND BEING PASSED
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Check ahead and to the rear.
____ 2. Signal and steer out.
____ 3. Sound the horn and accelerate.
____ 4. Look and signal right before returning
to lane.
____ 5. Steer in and cancel signal.
*Your driver can learn to judge speed and distance of
oncoming vehicles when you are driving.
Have your student snap his finger at the last possible second you would
dare to safely make a passing attempt.
If the oncoming car reaches your car in less than 12 seconds the time
would have been too short for a safe passing maneuver.
PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS AND OTHER VEHICLES
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Angle park.
____ 2. Parallel park.
____ 3. Make a U Turn.
____ 4. Make a Y turn by driving into a
driveway and backing out.
HOME PRACTICE – DRIVING ENVIRONMENT
URBAN DRIVING
1.
Be sure that your driver is able to control the car
well before attempting to drive in traffic.
2.
Carry a hand-held mirror to keep track of traffic to
the rear
3.
Avoid peak traffic times and night driving during early
experience.
4.
Driving can include routine trips to the shopping
center and other typical destinations.
5.
Ask your driver to tell you what he sees and what he is
thinking.
6.
Point out natural and engineered hazards along the
route.
7.
Compliment the driver when his performance improves.
URBAN DRIVING
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Keep the car centered in his lane.
____ 2. Stop, look and yield at stop signs.
____ 3. Slow, look and stop where necessary at yield
signs.
____ 4. Predict and properly react to traffic
lights as he approaches them.
____ 5. Slow down and look at RR crossings.
____ 6. Properly enter and leave one way
streets.
____ 7. Give evidence of looking at least one
block ahead in traffic.
____ 8. Use the horn to stabilize uncertain
drivers and pedestrians.
____ 9. Use proper lanes for turns.
____ 10. Keep car in a safe position relative to
cars ahead and to the side.
HOME PRACTICE – DRIVING ENVIRONMENT
HIGHWAY DRIVING
1.
It is possible for a beginner to drive on the highway
before he is competent to drive in heavy traffic. You may wish to drive out to the highway and then let your driver
take over the controls.
2.
Choose a lightly traveled highway.
3.
Avoid peak traffic hours and weekends if possible.
4.
Do not hesitate to take steering control if necessary.
5.
Take a hand-held mirror with you so that you can keep
track of traffic behind you.
6.
Keep speeds low in the beginning. Your driver will gradually speed up as he
gains competence and confidence.
7.
Be sure that your driver checks signs as he
drives. You can check this by asking
him what the sign said after pass it.
8.
Arrange for others to pass if you are holding up
traffic.
9.
When the road is isolated and there are no oncoming
cars, have your driver practice driving on the left side of the highway. This is preparation for passing.
10.
Keep the level and tone on your voice low. It may be difficult but it pays off.
HIGHWAY DRIVING
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Enter the highway safely and precisely.
____ 2. Keep the car centered in the lane.
____ 3. Read signs and markings.
____ 4. Take curves smoothly at the right
speed.
____ 5. Drop a wheel off the pavement at 25 mph
and re-enter the pavement.
____ 6. Make a “pretend” passing maneuver with
no cars around. (35-40 mph)
____ 7. Signal, slow down and turn off the
highway safely.
____ 8. Judge speed, distance and closure of
vehicles to the rear.
HOME PRACTICE – DRIVING ENVIRONMENT
LIMITED ACCESS (Interstate Highway)
1.
Carry a hand-held mirror to keep track of traffic to
the rear.
2.
Avoid this kind of driving until your driver is able to
drive at or near the speed of other traffic on the highway.
3.
Try to drive during an off-peak time.
4.
Driver should be a dependable lane changer before
attempting this king of driving.
5.
Point out that interchanges are the area of greatest
conflict.
6.
Decide ahead of time which interchange you plan to exit
from the interstate.
LIMITED ACCESS
The driver must be able to:
____ 1. Enter the acceleration lane, choose a
safe gap and accelerate to traffic speed.
____ 2. Change lanes smoothly and dependably.
____ 3. Establish a 2 second following
interval.
____ 4. Signal and decelerate in the
deceleration lane when leaving the interstate.
____ 5. Accurately judge speed, distance and
closure of vehicles behind.
____ 6. Stay out of bunches of vehicles. (Drive alone when possible.)
____ 7. Read and obey all traffic signs.
HOME PRACTICE – DRIVING ENVIRONMENT
ROAD SURFACES
The drive must be able to:
____ 1. Control a vehicle on a gravel
road. (stopping, starting and turning)
____ 2. Control and prevent skids on a slick
surface.
____ 3. Start and stop properly on a slick
surface.
____ 4. Dodge pot holes, rocks and glass on the
highway.
____ 5. Adjust speed to any kind of adverse
surface condition. (Wet pavement,
ice,
snow, mud, gravel)
HOME PRACTICE – DRIVING ENVIRONMENT
REDUCED VISIBILITY
1.
Be sure that your driver knows how to operate light switches,
washer-wiper, defroster and heater controls.
2.
Avoid driving under reduced visibility conditions with
a totally inexperienced driver.
3.
Describe the actions you are taking and why you are
taking them when you drive under adverse conditions.
REDUCED VISIBILITY (Fog-Rain-Snow-Night)
The Driver must be able to:
____ 1. Operate the headlights, dim-bright
switches.
____ 2. Operate washer-wiper and defroster
controls.
____ 3. Operate heater-air conditioner to
control fogging of windows.
____ 4. Adjust speed to sight distance when
visibility is reduced.
____ 5. Manipulate sun visor to front and side.
____ 6. Turn on headlights during any kind of
reduced visibility.
____ 7. Dim headlights when meeting at night.
Comments: Webmaster - EOE - Privacy Policy - March 24, 2009