Timing is Critical on Todays Roads
and Highways
12 Second Search:
Objective: Your new
driver should show how to maintain the best speed control and lane positioning in
accordance to changing conditions. The new driver is learning to look ahead and understand
where they will be in a few seconds and to make preparation to enter that area. This
exercise will also demonstrate areas where you don't have 12 seconds of visibility and
speed needs to be reduced
Directions: Establish
the "rules" before starting:
(1): Driver verbally identifies stationary object
that is believed (by the driver) to be
12 seconds away.
(2): Driver says "start" for coach/parent to start counting
(3): Coach Counts.. ("One-Thousand-one, one-thousand-two,
one-thousand-three..")
(4): Driver identifies object early as count is in progress
(5): Practice at 25, 35, and 45-50 mph.
Note how the 12 seconds changes in
distance with speed.
Make certain the new driver knows it is crucial that they have
enough space and time to react to traffic conditions and hazards at roadway speeds.
They should learn to look ahead and understand where they are going to be in the
next few seconds. Stress the importance of driving at a speed that will allow a safe
response to a threatening situation; (i.e. just around a curve or over a hill).
Timing Approaching
Traffic:
Objective: The
driver will gain a new timing awareness in cornering and approaching the crest of a hill.
There will be an understanding that "the scene changes" in just a few
seconds and if they only look once that may not be enough. If an oncoming vehicle is
approaching at 45 MPH (and you are doing 45 MPH) "the scene is changing"
at a combined speed of 90 MPH. That's a Major League pitch and your new driver is up to
bat !
Directions: Have
your new driver give you the number of seconds that it will take an oncoming vehicle to
pass. That is: as soon as they see an oncoming vehicle have them say aloud
"Eight" if they feel it will take "8" seconds for the oncoming vehicle
to pass. You can also call out a vehicle as shown to the right. Try this first on a 35 -
40 MPH road. (Don't stare at the oncoming vehicle !)
Make certain they know it is crucial that they have enough space
and time to react to traffic conditions and hazards at roadway speeds. They should
learn to "look ahead" and understand where they are going to be in the next few
seconds. Stress the importance of driving at a speed that will allow a safe response to a
threatening situation just around a curve or over a hill.
Where Will We Intersect ?
Objective: To
identify a point of "conflict" early enough to make any necessary preparations
to avoid a potentially hazardous situation. Any oncoming vehicle is a hazard if it
does not do what we expect. Identifying the point of intersection, or the spot
where you will "go by" the oncoming vehicle, will help the new driver identify a
sense of awareness that otherwise will go untrained.
Directions: Have the new driver
identify a stationary object "close" to where the intersection will take
place. Soon, the new driver should be able to identify if the object to which they
are referring is "Before" or "After" the point of intersection.
Close vehicles are too easy - so ead out to the open road for this one. Try
vehicles 8-12 seconds away.
It takes practice, but soon the new driver will understand its value
as it relates to the next exercise: Separating Hazards..
Separating Hazards:
If you know from the above exercise "where you are going to
intersect", then you know where the point of "conflict" will occur.
Making certain you have ONLY the oncoming vehicle to contend with when you
"meet" is referred to as "Separating Hazards". Observing early
will allow the new driver to make the necessary adjustment to their speed and lane
position to "separate" themselves from a bike rider, pedistrian, parked car, or
any "second hazard" that may present itself. Overtake ONE hazard at a time
- and plan early in order to take the best advantage of your safest option.
Following Distance:
Objective: To establish a feel for the safe and comfortable
distance (and timing) required in following another vehicle.
Directions: When following a car at a safe distance
notice when it enters a shadow or passes a stationary object such as a sign, pole, or
reflector. (A shadow, I have found, is the easiest. It is effortless to see when the
vehicle in front of you enters or leaves the shadow of a bridge or tree and when your
vehicle then reaches that same spot.) Start counting when the vehicle in front of you
passes this object ("One-Thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three..")
and stop counting when the front of your vehicle reaches the same spot. This time
is the following distance. Four (4) seconds for a new, inexperienced driver.
I know, the book says 2.... Well, the book is wrong!
Make certain they know it is crucial that they have enough space
and time to react to traffic conditions and hazards at roadway speeds.
When following a car at a safe distance
notice when it enters a shadow or passes a stationary object such as a sign, pole, or
reflector. (A shadow, I have found, is the easiest. It is effortless to see when the
vehicle in front of you enters or leaves the shadow of a bridge or tree and when your
vehicle then reaches that same spot.) Start counting when the vehicle in front of you
passes this object ("One-Thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three..")
and stop counting when the front of your vehicle reaches the same spot. This time
is the following distance. Four (4) seconds for a new, inexperienced driver.
I know, the book says 2.... Well, the book is wrong!
Make certain they know it is crucial that they have enough space
and time to react to traffic conditions and hazards at roadway speeds.
click on the mouse to send an email to:
Driver Education of Vermont
Jericho, VT 05465
