Drive Right

1. Drive Right Chapter 5 Controlling your vehicle

2. Natural Laws of Car control • Gravity: the force that pulls something towards the earth • Center of gravity: the point around which an object’s weight id evenly distributed • Energy of motion: when a object moves it acquires energy, aka, kinetic energy.( a vehicles energy of motion increases dramatically with increases in weight and speed)

3. Friction and traction • Friction: the force that keeps each tire from sliding on the road • Traction: friction created by the tire on the road. • Tires: will make the difference in the way people drive along the road • Tread and traction: the groove surface of the tire that grips the road, the better the tread the better the gripping ability. When a tire becomes worn or bald, the tire becomes dangerous, the tire has no grip and no traction on the road, when there is no tread the can be a blow out, when all the air escapes at once.

4. cont • Under inflation: when your drive with under inflated tires, fasters wear on the tires when not even, • Over Inflation: this should also be avoid, the tire has to much pressure, only the center of the wheel will grip properly.

5. Stopping distance • Total stopping distance: The distance your car travels while you make a stop. • Perception time: the length of time you take to identify, predict, and decide to slow for a hazard. • Perception Distance: The distance your vehicle travels during this time. • Reaction time and Distance: reaction time the length of time it takes you to execute your action; reaction distance, the distance the your vehicle travels during reaction time

6. Factors that affect braking distance • Speed: the higher the speed the longer your braking distance • Vehicle condition: worn tires, shock absorbers, or brakes that need longer distances tos top • Roadway surface: rain snow, ice, dirt, wet leaves, and gravel reduce road traction and increase stopping distance • Driver ability: if you are distracted or impaired , it may take longer for you to stop you vehicle • Antilock braking system: with this (abs) you can better control stopping distance while turning • Hills: your braking distance, when driving down hil • Loads: heavy loads increase your braking distance.

7. Controlling the force of impact with some stats • 10 percent of those injured were in an SUV, as compared with 7 percent for pickup trucks, 4 percent for vans, and 3 percent for cars. • The NHTSA reports that in 2006, there were 30,521 fatalities of occupants of passenger cars, accounting for 83 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Of these passenger car occupant fatalities: • 55 percent of those killed were unrestrained • 28 percent were cause by ejection from the vehicle • 35 percent were in an SUV, compared with 28 percent for pickup trucks, and 17 percent for passenger cars • The NHTSA reports that in 2006, there were 30,521 fatalities of occupants of passenger cars, accounting for 83 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Of these passenger car occupant fatalities: • 55 percent of those killed were unrestrained • 28 percent were cause by ejection from the vehicle • 35 percent were in an SUV, compared with 28 percent for pickup trucks, and 17 percent for passenger cars

8. Cont” • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds. • 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age. • 16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers. • 2,739 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2008, down 13.7% from 3,174 in 2007 and down 20.2% from 3,431 in 1998. • About 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008 were males (IIHS). • Drivers ages 15-20 accounted for 12% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 and 14% of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes. • 63% of teenage passenger deaths in 2008 occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 19% occurred when a teenager was driving (IIHS). • 81% of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths in 2008 were passenger vehicle occupants. • The number of drivers ages 15-20 involved in fatal crashes totaled 5,864 in 2008, down 16% from 6,982 in 2007 and down 26% from 7,987 in 1998. • In 2006 (latest data available) crashes involving 15- to 17-year-olds cost more than $34 billion nationwide in medical treatment, property damage and other costs, according to an AAA analysis.

9. Cont” • In 2006 (latest data available) crashes involving 15- to 17-year-olds cost more than $34 billion nationwide in medical treatment, property damage and other costs, according to an AAA analysis. • In states with GDL programs that include at least five of the most important elements, there was a 20% reduction in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2008: • Hand-held cellphone use was highest among 16- to 24-year-olds (8% in 2008, down from 9% in 2007). • 37% of male drivers ages 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time. • 55%, or 2,014, of the 3,678 occupants of passenger vehicles ages 16-20 who were killed in crashes were not buckled up. • 31% of drivers ages 15-20 who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking some amount of alcohol; 25% were alcohol-impaired, meaning they had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher. • Statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger (IIHS

10. Cont’’’ • In states with GDL programs that include at least five of the most important elements, there was a 20% reduction in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2008: • Hand-held cellphone use was highest among 16- to 24-year-olds (8% in 2008, down from 9% in 2007). • 37% of male drivers ages 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time. • 55%, or 2,014, of the 3,678 occupants of passenger vehicles ages 16-20 who were killed in crashes were not buckled up. • 31% of drivers ages 15-20 who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking some amount of alcohol; 25% were alcohol-impaired, meaning they had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher. • Statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger (IIHS