Drivers’ Education

1. Drivers’ Education September 23, 2013

2. Hearing Hearing is used by drivers to detect sounds of potential hazards. Sound is an important element to safe driving. Hearing impaired individuals can drive with the help of hearing aids.

3. Size and Height • If you are at the extremes of most physical characteristics, you may have trouble driving, due to the inability to comfortably operate a vehicle.

4. Chronic Illness and Fatigue • Some illnesses like asthma, heart disease, and epilepsy may restrict a person’s ability to drive safely. But new medications allow for individuals to better control symptoms. • Physically disabled individuals use special equipment to be able to drive, safely.

5. Fatigue and Lack of Sleep • Fatigue effects reaction time and decision making abilities. Fatigued drivers are more likely to be in an accident. Can be caused by long trips, boredom, eyestrain, poor ventilation, or overeating/drinking. • Teen drivers account for almost half of all fatigued driving collisions.

6. Fatigue and Lack of Sleep • If you are fatigued: pull over safely somewhere you can get out of the car, walk around, splash cold water on your face, etc. • Eat something light, but avoid a heavy meal or beverages high in sugar or caffeine. • If you stop to take a nap, make sure it is a safe, well lit area. Take precautions, like cracking the window and locking the doors.

7. Illness and injury. • Avoid driving when you are sick. Symptoms (and medication for them) can cause slow reactions and periods of inattention. • Additionally, sneezing and coughing could cause you to lose control of the vehicle. • Injury like broken limbs or extremities can impair safe driving when mobility and strength . Before driving with an injury, evaluate your ability operate safely.

8. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Car exhaust contains carbon monoxide. A silent killer, carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless. It can seep into the passenger compartment without warning. • Can be caused by damage to the exhaust system, driving in areas without ventilation, driving an SUV or wagon with the back window open, Smoking with the windows closed.

9. Carbon Monoxide • Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, nausea, drowsiness, and/or lack of strength. • Ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: keep car windows open a crack when the engine is running, keep a distance from stopped traffic if you are using heat or AC, turn off your engine when you are stopped in enclosed spaces, regularly inspect your exhaust for leaks. • If you feel the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, get out of any enclosed space and air out the vehicle.

10. Mental Condition • Emotional state is very important factor in the ability to drive well. • Giving in to powerful emotions while driving affects reaction time, coordination and concentration.

11. Anger • Anger is the most common and dangerous emotion for the driver. • Drivers become angry at the actions of other drivers. This becomes worse when stressed, tired, or irritated (like most drivers).

12. Dealing with Anger • Do not make anger into aggression on the road. If angry before you get in the car, take a minute to cool down. • If another driver makes you angry, calm yourself, and increase following distance and space cushion.

13. Road Rage • To avoid road rage: Don’t drive aggressively, don’t drive ignorantly, don’t drive carelessly, don’t engage other drivers with acts, or action, including bumper stickers • Avoid confrontations by driving to a police station or crowded location. Keep windows up and doors locked.

14. Road Rage • Aggression that is transferred into the act of driving is called road rage. • Road rage is aggression that targeted at other drivers. It can be as simple as deliberate tailgating, yelling and obscene gestures; and as dangerous as intentionally blocking a driver’s path and assault.

15. Road Rage • Road rage is usually the overreaction to a simple act, by a already aggravated driver. • Road ragers can be anyone, but are most commonly young males with a history of drug, alcohol, and/or emotional problems.