DRIVING PROCEDURES AND MANEUVERS

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DRIVING PROCEDURES AND MANEUVERS

• ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY 10, 11 and 12
• Describe proper procedures for pre-starting,
  starting and stopping a vehicle. Explain basic
  maneuvers of driving, including steering,
  braking, passing, lane changing, merging,
  parking, signaling and turning. Explain
  defensive driving techniques, including the Smith
  System and the search, identify, predict,
  decide, and execute (SIPDE) process.

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Driving Procedures and Maneuvers

• Pre-Start Checks

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Pre-Start Procedures

• Check condition of tires, lights, car body, etc.
• Check around the vehicle.
• Check intended path of travel.
• Close and lock doors.
• Adjust seats.
• Adjust mirrors and head restraints.
• Fasten safety belts.

4
Outside The Vehicle Checks
5
Check Tires

• Tires should be checked to make sure they are not
  under inflated, worn or damaged.
• It should be noted which way the tires are turned
  because this will be the direction your car will
  go as soon as it begins moving.

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Lights And Car Body

• Make sure all lights and windows are clean and
  undamaged.
• If it is cold, you may have to scrape snow or ice
  off your windshield.
• At least once a week or when stopping for gas,
  check oil, coolant, battery, brakes, transmission
  and windshield-washer fluids.

7
Check Around The Vehicle And The Intended Path Of
Travel

• Look for children playing nearby each year
  about 200 kids under the age of six are killed
  while playing in the driveway.
• Look for animals that may be hiding or sleeping
  near the vehicle.
• Check for objects around the vehicle (toys,
  etc.).
• Check under vehicle for stains that could
  indicate fluid leaks.

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Inside The Vehicle Checks And Procedures
9
Close And Lock All Doors

• Make sure all doors are securely closed and
  locked.
• Put key into the ignition.

10
Adjust Seats

• Adjust seat so that you can clearly see the
  roadway and comfortably reach the floor pedals
  and other controls.

11
Adjust Mirrors And Head Restraints

• Adjust rearview and left side view mirrors so
  that you can use them with just your eyes and do
  not need to move your head.
• Adjust right side view mirror for the best vision
  with the least amount of head movement.
• Adjust your head restraint and have passengers
  adjust theirs.

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Fasten Seatbelts

• Fasten your safety belt and make sure all
  passengers have fastened theirs. Remember the
  law!

13
Get Ready To Start Your Engine!
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Starting the Car

• Make sure the car is in park (neutral for a
  manual).
• Depress clutch (only for a manual transmission).
• Check for parking brake to be on (optional).
• Turn ignition key on position and check gauges,
  then on to the start position. Release the key
  as soon as the engine starts.

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Put Vehicle in Motion

• Put foot firmly on the brake, using the right
  foot.
• Depress clutch pedal (manual transmission only).
• Shift into desired gear (drive or reverse).
• Release parking brake (if applied).
• Check mirrors and blind spots.
• Signal intentions.
• Remove the foot from the brake (ease off clutch
  in manual transmission).
• Apply gas pedal.
• Cancel signal.

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Stopping and Securing the Vehicle

• Check traffic (mirrors).
• Signal intentions.
• Lightly tap brake pedal to warn others you are
  slowing or stopping.
• Apply smooth, steady, firm pressure to the brake
  pedal until the vehicle has stopped (apply clutch
  pedal in manual transmission).

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Stopping and Securing (cont.)

• Set parking brake (optional).
• Shift into park (reverse for manual
  transmission).
• Take foot off brake (and clutch).
• Check to make sure all optional equipment is off.
• Unfasten seat belt.
• Remove key
• Open door, exit curbside (if possible), and lock
  doors.

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BASIC MANEUVERS

• There are several basic maneuvers involved in
  driving safely and correctly
• Steering
• Braking
• Parking
• Turning

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Push-Pull-Feed Steering

• Safer because arms are not across the steering
  wheel at any time.
• Preferred turning method if there are driver side
  airbags.
• Hold steering wheel with right hand resting
  between 3 and 5 and left between 7 and 9. One
  hand pushes the wheel up toward 12 oclock. At
  the same time, the other hand slides up to 1
  oclock for the right turn(11 for left), grasp
  the wheel, and pull it down. While pulling hand
  goes down, the pushing hand releases its grip and
  returns to original position.

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PUSH PULL-FEED STEERING

• This method lets you keep both hands on the wheel
  at all times.
• It helps to reduce fatigue on long drives and
  gives better control in emergency situations.

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Steering Hand-Over-Hand

• Method in which a drivers hands cross when
  turning.
• To turn right, use your left hand to push the
  wheel up, around, and down. At the same time
  bring your right hand across left forearm to grip
  wheel on far side. Then use your right hand to
  pull the side of the wheel up, around, and down.
  Reverse these for a left turn.

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9 and 3 or 8 and 4 Hand positions on the
steering wheel

• Picture the wheel as a clock and place hand at
  these positions
• Either of these positions provide you the best
  control in an emergency situation.
• 8 and 4 is safer with driver side airbags.

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Thumbs Up

• With either one of the hand positions, always
  rest thumbs on the wheel, not wrapped around.
• This is safer and a more relaxed, comfortable
  hold.

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Steering in a Straight Line

• When steering or tracking straight ahead, steer
  to a point in the center of your path of travel.
• Look well ahead, not down.
• Make slight, constant corrections with the
  steering wheel.
• Dont oversteer or wander in your lane.

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Steering (tracking) to the rear

• When backing a vehicle, visibility through the
  rear window is limited.
• To maximize visibility, turn your head and
  shoulders to look in the direction you are going.
• When moving backward, the rear of the vehicle
  moves in the direction that you turn the wheel.
• The front of the vehicle will move in the
  opposite direction (swing outward)
• DONT USE THE MIRRORS FOR BACKING. Look in the
  direction your vehicle is moving.
• Keep looking back until your vehicle comes to a
  stop.

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Backing

• When backing in a straight line, the left hand
  should be at the 12 oclock position
• The right hand/arm should be positioned so that
  the shoulders can turn.
• When backing to the sides use both hands
  (push-pull-feed or hand over hand) and look in
  the direction you will be travel with quick
  glances to the front.

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BRAKING

• There are different types of braking systems
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) is the safest
  system. ABS is designed to the wheels from
  locking when the driver presses too hard on the
  brake pedal in an emergency. They do not shorten
  the stopping distance.
• Conventional braking involves disc brakes. With
  this system pressure squeezes the brake pads
  against a flat metal wheel disc, producing the
  friction needed to stop the wheel from turning.

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BRAKING

• With conventional braking, to avoid locking the
  brakes in an emergency situation, press the
  brakes until they almost lock then ease up
  slightly and back down.
• The parking brake is attached by a cable to the
  rear wheels. It is used to prevent a parked
  vehicle from rolling. It can also be used in
  case of brake failue.

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Basic Maneuvers

• PASSING
• LANE CHANGING
• MERGING

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PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE

• Check the roadway ahead, signal, check mirrors
  and blind spot.
• Return when you can see both headlights of the
  car being passed in your rearview mirror dont
  cut in too soon.
• Dont speed up when being passed.
• It is illegal to pass on the shoulder of the
  road.
• You will need to accelerate at least 10 mph
  faster than the car being passed (ok to speed??)

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PASSING

• Use a very slight controlled movement of the
  steering wheel when moving to pass or change
  lanes usually not more than1/8 of a turn.
• Be alert for places where highways may narrow and
  dont pass there.
• Hold the steering wheel firmly when being passed
  by large trucks to adjust for possible wind gust.
• Move out of a drivers blind spot as quickly as
  possible when passing

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PASSING

• Before risking a pass, consider the drivers
  likely action will they soon pull over or turn,
  will they need to swerve to avoid a pedestrian,
  cyclist, animal, etc.?
• When in doubt as to the safety of a passing
  maneuver dont pass.
• If the vehicle being passed demonstrates erratic
  behavior, drop back and re-evaluate the
  situation.
• If, when passing, one misjudges the speed and
  distance of an oncoming car, try to brake and
  fall back behind the vehicle being passed. If
  this is impossible then speed up quickly to
  complete the pass.

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Lane changing and Merging

• Never move from one lane to another until you
  make certain that you do so safely.
• To change lanes safely, follow these steps
• Check mirrors
• Signal intentions
• Check your blind spot
• Adjust speed as needed
• Move smoothly when time and space permits
• Cancel signal, if necessary.

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SIGNALS

• The vehicle is equipped with mechanical signal
  that communicates your intention to turn or
  change lanes.
• To operate the signal, move the indicator arm
  upward for a right turn, and downward for a left
  turn.
• Alabama law states that you must signal at least
  100 feet prior to a turn, and a good rule of
  thumb, signal before you start braking.
• Signal all changes in lane position.

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Turning

• Before you make a turn you should consider
• - Is there heavy traffic?
• - Do signs prohibit a turn?
• - Can I see clearly for 500 feet?
• -Do I have enough space?
• - Traffic and pedestrians

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TURNING RIGHT

• Check the roadway ahead
• Choose the correct lane
• Signal your intentions
• Position car near the right side of the lane
  turning right keep it tight
• Wait for a 6-8 second gap in traffic to your
  left.
• When your front wheels are even with the bend in
  the curve, start turning (using push-pull-feed or
  hand over hand) and follow the general curve of
  the curb.
• Look through the turn along your intended path of
  travel.
• Complete the turn by reversing your steering as
  you accelerate.
• Cancel your signal, if necessary.

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TURNING LEFT

• Check the roadway ahead for vehicles,
  pedestrians, or other obstacles in your intended
  path.
• Choose the correct lane
• Signal your intentions
• Position car near the left side of the lane .
• Wait for a 9 second gap to the right and a 7
  second gap to your left..
• Proceed into the intersection until just prior to
  the centerpoint of the intersection.
• Keep your wheels straight and yield to any
  oncoming traffic.
• Look through the turn along your intended path of
  travel. Turn into the lane just to the right of
  the centerline elbow on the yellow
• Complete the turn by reversing your steering as
  you accelerate.
• Cancel your signal, if necessary.

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Parking

• DO NOT PARK
• - Within intersections
• - On a crosswalk of sidewalk
• - Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an
  uncontrolled intersection
• - Within 30 feet of any flashing beacon, stop
  sign or traffic signal
• - In front of a driveway
• - On any bridge or in a tunnel
• - On the roadway side of any vehicle parked at
  the curb or edge of a highway (double parking)
• - Beside a curb that is painted yellow, or
  where official signs prohibit parking

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Parking the vehicle

• Perpendicular parking spaces are marked at a 90
  degree angle to the curb. The steps are
• Stay 7-8 feet from parked cars for best
  visibility.
• Observe all traffic conditions, check for other
  vehicles about to back out.
• Use proper turn signals.

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Perpendicular Parking

• Slow to 3-5 mph. Start turning when you can look
  down the side of the vehicle beside your chosen
  space.
• Steer sharply and proceed slowly, checking for
  clearance of your front bumper.
• As you move slowly forward, straighten the wheels
  and center in your space.
• Stop just short of the curb or in line with the
  other vehicles.

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ANGLE PARKINGOn the right

• Stay 5-6 feet from the parked vehicles to give
  yourself room to see and maneuver.
• Observe traffic in all directions and be alert
  for vehicles leaving spaces.
• Signal your intentions.
• Proceed until you can see along the left side of
  the vehicle to the right of your space.

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Angle Parking

• Steer sharply right and creep ahead at 3-5 mph
  into the space midway between the lines
• Check the left front and right rear of your
  vehicle to make sure you have clearance
• As you straighten the wheels, move forward until
  the front of your vehicle is aligned with those
  on both sides.

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Parallel ParkingHave a space at least 5 ft.
longer than the length of your vehicle

• Check traffic, signal, and approach the parking
  space in the proper lane.
• Flash brake lights to alert following drivers of
  your intention to stop.
• Move parallel to the vehicle in front of the
  space, leaving about 2 feet between vehicles.
• Stop when the center door posts, or the backs of
  the front seats of the vehicles are even.
• Keep your foot on the brake, and shift to reverse.

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Parallel Parking

• Back up, steering sharply to the right.
• Align the back of the front seat with the rear
  bumper of the vehicle in front.
• Continue backing slowly, straightening your front
  wheels, until your front bumper lines up with the
  rear bumper of the front vehicle.
• Continue backing slowly, steering rapidly to the
  left.
• Stop before making contact with the bumper of the
  vehicle behind the space.
• With foot on brake, shift to drive and even up
  car in space.
• Car should be within 12 inches of the curb.

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Parking on a Hill

• When parking on a hill you must make sure your
  car does not roll into traffic if the brakes do
  not hold.
• ALWAYS set the parking brake.
• The only time that you are going to turn your
  wheels to the left is when you are uphill with a
  curb.

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PARKING ON HILLS

• Make sure the vehicle does not roll into
  traffic set the parking brake and shift to
  park, then turn the wheels correctly
• - Downhill with a curb
• Turn wheels to the right or toward the
  curb.
• - Uphill with a curb
• Turn wheels to left or away from the
  curb.
• - Uphill without a curb
• Turn wheels to the right or toward the
  side of the road
• -Downhill with no curb
• Turn wheels to the right or toward the side
  of the road

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3 Point Turnabout

• Make sure you can see for a great distance before
  beginning.
• Not permitted on freeways, on curves, or near the
  top of a hill.
• They are governed by local ordinances and there
  may not be a sign to warn you of someone making a
  3 point turn.

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3 Point Turnabout

• Check traffic, signal, and stop as close to right
  edge of the curb as possible. Do not run off the
  roadway. Check both directions and make sure you
  have a 20-30 second gap.
• Signal for a left turn. Look over left shoulder
  and move vehicle slowly while turning sharply
  left to bring the car to a stop in the opposite
  lane.

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3 Point Turnabout

• When front wheels are almost to the curb about 4
  feet away, turn the wheel rapidly to the right.
  Stop the vehicle just short of the curb, again do
  not run off the roadway.
• Check traffic to your left, then over your right
  shoulder. Shift to reverse, while backing slowly,
  turn the wheel to the extreme right position.
  About 4 feet before stopping, turn the wheel to
  the left. Keep looking back until stopped.

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3 Point Turnabout

• Shift into drive, check traffic, signal, move
  into proper lane, cancel signal, and accelerate
  to a normal speed.
• TIP Gear, steer, look, go (3 times)

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Defensive Driving

• There are many different techniques that we can
  use to help minimize our risks while driving on
  the roadways.
• There are 2 that are the backbone of safe
  driving. They are Smith System, SIPDE

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Smith System

• The Smith System is a series of principles
  designed to help one drive safely and
  defensively.
• The Smith System consist of 5 important
  guidelines.

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Smith Guidelines

• 1. Aim High look well ahead of your vehicle as
  you drive. Try to look 20 to 30 seconds ahead of
  you.
• 2. Get the Big Picture search the whole scene.
  Ex. As you approach an intersection search for
  vehicles, pedestrians, and others.

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Smith System

• 3. Keep Your Eyes Moving- search the scene
  constantly. Stay alert for changes on the roadway
  or potentially dangerous conditions that might
  require you to make an adjustment.

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Smith System

• 4. Make Sure Others See You- Communicate with all
  others using the roadway. Position your vehicle
  so others can see you. Signal your intentions to
  others. Ex. Tapping brake for stopping.

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Smith System

• 5. Leave Yourself A Way Out Position your
  vehicle so that you keep a margin of space to
  avoid a collision.
• Be a defensive driver

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S.I.P.D.E.

• The SIPDE process is an easy-to-use system for
  dealing with the driving challenge.
• S.I.P.D.E. is an acronym for a 5 step process for
  defensive driving.

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SIPDE

• S- Search the roadway and the off-road areas 20
  to 30 seconds ahead for information that can help
  you with a path of travel.
• I Identify objects or conditions within 12 to
  15 seconds ahead that could interfere with your
  planned path of travel.

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SIPDE

• P- Predict what actions or changes in
  conditions on or near the roadway could increase
  possible danger.
• D Decide what action or actions you should
  take to help minimize risks.
• Ex. Steer right or left, brake, increase speed,
  reduce speed, etc.

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SIPDE

• E Execute the decision you have made.
  Executing a decision in most cases is making a
  routine maneuver. You might have to take some
  kind of emergency action.

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Smith System SIPDE

• Almost all of the procedures that make up these 2
  processes, we do everyday.
• We should do these procedures over and over again
  until we can perform them automatically.
• Following these will help us to minimize risks on
  the roadway.

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• REMEMBER!!
• The SIPDE and Smith System are ongoing
  processes. You will be reacting to one
  situation, while gathering information about a
  new one.