Name: ___________________________________ Class Period: ____________ Date: _________________

Module 3 - Important Functions and Relationships of Visual Perception and Driving

Topic 1: Laws of Nature

1. gravity is the natural force that constantly pulls all things to the earth and affects an object’s weight. center of
Gravity is a point where the mass of the vehicle is concentrated and balanced. The higher the center of gravity, the
more unstable the vehicle becomes. When a driver brakes, accelerates, or corners, the G forces are amplified.
2. kinettic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its speed, or velocity (v) and its mass (m). The faster the
object moves, the more energy it collects. A heavier moving object will have more kinetic energy than a lighter
object moving at the same speed.
3. momentum refers to the quantity of motion an object has.
4. inertia: an object’s tendency to resist any change in its state of motion.
5. The things that transfer weight from one point of the vehicle to another are acceleration, turning,
Steering input/cornering, and surface traction.
6. pitch - Vehicle shifts weight from front to rear or rear to front
7. roll - Vehicle shifts weight from side to side
8. yaw - vehicle rear-load transfers to the left, right, or back and forth (fishtail motion)
Topic 2: Vision and Driving

1. vision: The eyeball’s ability to distinguish the number, shape, and color of an object.
2. perception: How we interpret and understand information gathered by any of the five senses.
3. Drivers base driving decisions on about 90% of what they see.
4. Drivers base driving decisions on about 10% of all on what they hear or feel.
5. The eyes don’t tell the brain what they see; the brain tells the eyes what to look for.
6. Visual Search Pattern: Your visual lead time should be at least 20 seconds.
7. Focal vision allows you to read and see details
8. Paracentral vision allows you to maintain path of travel.
9. Peripheral vision is more sensitive to color and motion. It helps to orient individuals to the environment.
10. Your field of vision is the area you can see while looking _____ ahead.
11. You field of vision is also everything within __________ degrees in front of you.
12. Visual __________ tests measure the level of detail your eyes can see (individually and together) in optional light
conditions.
13. nearsighted: you are able to see near things more clearly than distant ones.
14. farsighted: you are able to see distant things more clearly than near ones.

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 15. Some hazards for seeing at night are lack of light, wildlife become active, people driving at night are more likely to
be intoxicated or fatigued, and inner and outer sources of concentrated light cause glare.
16. For depth perception, you need both eyes to judge depth between two objects.
17. Depth perception allows you to judge gaps, speed, and distance of other vehicles.
18. Ways to improve your field of vision include cleaning windows inside and out, cleaning vehicles outside lights,
inspecting, wiper blades for damage and effectiveness, adjusting mirrors properly.
Topic 3: Vehicle Referencing Points and Establishing Lane Position

1. Line of sight (LOS) is the visible path of travel from your vehicle to the target area.
2. Path of travel (POT) is the series of continuous positions your vehicle will occupy while travelling toward your target
area.
3. Your target area is a specific object, located straight ahead in the center of your path of travel.
4. Reference Points are points on our vehicle that help us determine where our vehicle is in relation to the road and
other vehicles.
5. Lane Position 1: Positioned in the center of lane with a/an equal buffer of space on either side.
6. Lane Position 2: Allows for additional space to the right of the vehicle. Used to prepare for a, prepare turn or when
avoiding a problem to the right of the vehicle.
7. Lane Position 3: Allows for additional space to the left of the vehicle. Used to prepare for a right turn or when
avoiding a problem to the left of the vehicle.
8. Your Vehicle’s Footprint: represent the size and areas of pavement that the driver cannot see from the driver’s seat.
9. The width of the lane allows drivers to make the lane position adjustments to minimize risk and create more space
between their car and problem situations.

Label the lane positions below.

10. When to use each lane position:

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 a. You would use lane position 1 when you want to be centered in your lane. This is the lane position that is
used most often while driving.
b. Making a left turn – Lane Position 2
c. Making a right turn – Lane Position 3
d. You would use lane position 4 & 5 if there were an object in the roadway.
e. When an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind move to lane position 3 or 5 if possible.
Topic 4: Basic Maneuvers - Steering and Braking

1. Holding the upper half of the wheel can result in exsessive steering, airbag injuries, and upper body fatigue.
2. Benefits of keeping your hands on the lower half of the wheel: Benefits of using a lower grip on the steering wheel
puts the body in a natural position with relaxed shoulders, promotes balanced control of the steering wheel,
reducing excess motion, improves stability by lowering the body’s center of gravity and prevents arm injury if the
airbag deploys.
3. Hand-over hand steering is used at speeds below 15 mph. Used for slow, tight turns - Arms cross on the top 1/3 of the
wheel until desired path of travel is reached.
4. One hand steering is used when reversing straight and when backing a trailer.
5. covering the accelerator is used for a smooth transition from braking to accelerating.
6. Progressive /Smooth Acceleration: Heel pivots foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
7. thrust acceleration is typically used when passing or merging into higher speed traffic.
8. The smooth braking technique is a trait of a skilled driver. You use the ball of your foot to press pedal.
9. Threshold braking maximum the vehicle as quickly as possible without locking brakes or losing traction.
10. Methods to reduce speed include, release the accelerator pedal, controlled braking, or threshold braking in an
emergency.
11. trail braking is used for sharp turns.
12. A speed limit is the maximum legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions.
13. The speed limit on Interstate highways in certain rural areas is 70 mph. Non-rural interstate highways, public roads
not part of the interstate system 55 mph. Rural rustic roads 35 mph. School, business and residential zones 25 mph
14. Three factors determine the distance that it takes to stop your vehicle: reaction time: The time it takes you to
recognize a hazard. reaction distance: The distance your vehicle travels between the time you recognize a problem
and the time you apply the brakes. Braking distance: The distance your car travels after you apply the brakes.
15. ABS allows maximum stopping force without locking up the brakes (skidding). If standard brakes are applied too
hard, the wheels "lock" or skid, and you lose steering control.
16. The ABS warning light will come on when there is a problem with either the ABS brake system, normal brake
system, or the brake fluid is low in the master cylinder or the ABS brake system.

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17. To find out if a vehicle is equipped with ABS, turn on the ignition and check the instrument panel for the ABS
indicator light.
18. stomp firmly depress the brake as hard as you can. stay on the pedal and continue pushing as hard as you can,
steer where you want to go.
19. The brake pedal will pulsate and make a strange noise when ABS is engaged. Many drivers release the pressure
on the brake pedal when they feel the vibration. Taking your foot off the brake disengages the ABS.