Lesson 1.1: Reduced Risk Driving Practices
Module 1 of 12 · Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education
Lesson Objectives
MODULE 1 of 12
Lesson 1.1: Reduced Risk Driving Practices
Buckle Up & Proceed with Caution!
Everyday across Texas, from Brownsville to San Antonio, Houston to Sealy, Laredo to El Paso, Lubbock to Amarillo,
Waco to Dallas, and everywhere in between…
Texas teens are working towards obtaining a license to drive and eventually taking to the road.
With their first true taste of freedom, novice drivers must learn the importance and obligation they will have to
themselves and others, once behind the wheel of a car.
Module 1: Lesson 1.1: Traffic Laws
Objectives include:
Reduced Risk Driving Practices Novice vs Experienced Drivers
Highway Transportation System (HTS) Understanding Traffic Laws
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices
Driving is a PRIVILEGE that comes with a great deal of
responsibilities and obligations.
Drivers should minimize risk and avoid unnecessary distractions
such as pets & cell phones, and should apply reduced-risk driving
practices by obeying speed limits and always wearing seat-belts.
To minimize risk, novice drivers must apply reduced-risk driving practices such as focusing on the driving task, maintaining a safe following
distance and avoid dangerous distractions such as texting and driving.
Young drivers should also avoid high-risk
maneuvers like aggressive driving and speeding.
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It is important for novice drivers to have a clear understanding of basic motor
vehicle traffic laws and traffic signs.
Drivers must also be able to correctly identify Roadway Markings and understand how they dictate traffic direction, turn lanes,
merging traffic, legal passing zones & lane change zones.
For instance, use of color indicates traffic flow and traffic direction.
A white line separates lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction.
While a yellow line separates lanes of traffic traveling in opposite direction.
Regardless of color, a solid line
indicates no passing or lane
change allowed.
While a dotted or broken line
indicates that passing and lane
changes are allowed, when safe.
A dotted or broken line indicates that passing is allowed, when safe.
Risk reduction practices also include understanding Right-of-Way
rules and how to properly and safely merge into traffic.
To minimize risk, drivers must recognize all Traffic Control Devices.
For example, this sign means, come to a complete Stop and only proceed when
it is your turn and when it is clear.
A flashing yellow light means to proceed with caution.
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices
Understanding Pre-Drive tasks
Understanding Right-of-Way Laws
Understanding Traffic Control
Devices
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices require that the driver and all passengers
buckle-up and use occupant protection and restraint systems.
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Reduced-Risk Driving Practices require that drivers be able to identify and
understand the meaning of vehicle symbols and devices.
Drivers must also demonstrate the ability to perform starting tasks,
vehicle operation and control tasks, and post-drive tasks.
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices also include knowledge of alcohol and
drug laws to minimize risk and prevent licensing, driving or possibly
fatal consequences.
Highway Transportation System (HTS)
Highway Transportation System (HTS)
This course is designed to educate the novice driver about the importance of the
life-long, legal and responsible reduced-risk driving practices within the Highway
Transportation System (HTS).
The Highway Transportation System
(HTS) consists of 3 core components;
Roadway Users (people),
Vehicles, and
Roadway Infrastructure
The HTS is complex and includes federal, state, local and individual systems functioning together to provide
a reduced-risk and a lawful driving environment.
There are four main types of driving environments in the Highway
Transportation System (HTS).
Each driving environment will vary in size and complexity.
The 4 main types of driving environments:
Highway (Freeway & Interstate) Rural (Low Population)
Suburban (Commercial & Residential) Urban (City)
The Highway Driving Environment,
includes interstates, freeways and
highways used to travel intrastate
or inter-state at high speeds.
Highways encompass high speed,
limited-access roads, with wide
shoulder areas, focusing on smooth
flow and lane changes rather than
complex urban navigation.
Highway speeds vary and can increase rapidly.
It is important to constantly monitor your vehicle speed,
as speed limits can get up to 85 miles per hour.
Drivers should always be aware of the space around
their vehicle, especially when changing lanes.
Rural Driving Environments typically have low traffic, and narrow
farm and country roads with no improved shoulder area.
Rural Driving Environments have narrow lanes, no center line
or improved shoulder area, poor road surface conditions and
wildlife, such as deer, wild bore, lose cattle or horses, etc...
Rural Driving Environments also encompass narrow, winding
roads, blind-curves, blind-hills, low water crossings, varying
speeds, no shoulder, limited passing zones and winding roads.
A Suburban Driving Environment is a mix of residential,
neighborhood and commercial areas with varying traffic congestion
and speeds, especially during morning and evening rush hour traffic.
Suburban Driving Environments have
lower density than cities, and include
schools, parks, bicyclists, shopping areas,
and varied speed limits; which requires
drivers to be on the look-out for children,
pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Urban Driving Environments
encompass city, downtown and
highway driving with heavy pockets
of traffic and fluctuating speeds.
Urban Driving Environment,
encompasses city and downtown
streets with pedestrians, buildings,
restaurants and retail, construction
zones and frequent parking needs.
Adverse and Inclement Weather,
conditions such as rain, sleet, fog
or snow, usually result in reduced
visibility and loss of traction.
When driving in inclement weather,
monitor your speed, slow down
and if the conditions become
difficult to manage, move off the
roadway to a safe area and wait for
weather to clear.
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices requires an understanding proper
spatial awareness and management, to help minimize risk.
Reduced-Risk Driving Practices include preventative and scheduled vehicle
maintenance services to help minimize risk and vehicle malfunctions.
Novice vs. Experienced Driver
A NOVICE vs EXPERIENCED DRIVER
A Novice Driver is has little or no experience, usually less than one
year operating a motor vehicle.
A Novice Driver is slow to recognizes potential hazards slowly and often
fails to scan the roadway for information that can help reduce risks
An Experienced Driver has more than one year of driving experience and is able
to anticipate potential hazards well in advance, and manage high-risk driving
environments safely and efficiently.
An Experienced Driver understands how to minimize risk by applying
reduced-risk driving practices and obeying all motor vehicle traffic laws,
signs, and markings.
An Experienced Driver constantly monitors the space around their
vehicle, by scanning the road ahead, to the sides and behind, for unsafe
roadway conditions or hazards.
Even when exercising caution, it is
difficult to predict the actions of other
motorists. So always scan the road
ahead, to the sides and the rear.
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It is important for novice drivers to be proactive by staying alert, focusing
on the driving task and anticipating potential hazards.
Tens-of-thousands of people are injured and killed in traffic crashes
every year, due to inexperience, immaturity, negligence and poor
judgment.
Using reduced-risk driving practices helps promote responsible,
defensive and legal driving among all drivers and users in the HTS.
Novice drivers must acknowledge that driving is a privilege that offers
a ton of freedom and mobility, but also comes with consequences and
obligations to all users in the HTS.
Your responsibilities and obligations while behind-the-wheel require that you always
be Emotionally, Mentally and Physically, ready to drive.
And never drive upset or allow the actions of others to affect your driving decisions.
Obey all traffic Laws, Signs and Signals, always be courteous to others, and
never take unnecessary risks.
Potential Consequences of IGNORING driver’s responsibilities may include:
Suspension or Loss of Driving Privileges Penalties, Fines and Legal Fees
Injury to yourself or others Job and Income Loss
DEATH!
Reducing Risk
REDUCING RISK
To help reduce risk, novice drivers must have a clear understanding
of all motor vehicle Traffic Laws.
Knowing how, when and why Motor-Vehicle and Traffic Laws
apply, will help a novice driver make informed, responsible, safe
and legal driving decisions.
It is important to prepare and maintain a Driving Plan that includes knowledge, understanding,
skills, and experiences necessary for the novice driver to continue the life-long learning process
of legal and responsible, reduced-risk driving practices in the Highway Transportation System.
67
With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility
Driving is a privilege that comes with
great deal responsibility. And when
not taken seriously, it can have fatal
consequences.
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There are many variables that affect our decision-
making process while behind the wheel of a car.
Young drivers must also account for their lack of experience, their
emotions, reckless driving, other roadway users and distractions
It's All About Having the Right Attitude
A novice driver must understand that a person’s attitude can have
both a negative or positive impact on their ability to successfully and
responsibly navigate the Highway Transportation System (HTS).
A driver can decrease the odds of a serious and fatal error, by
making driving their priority and focusing on the task at hand.
Simply put, pay attention to the driving task, minimize distractions
and do not take the actions of others personally!
Teen Drivers At Risk
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Teen Drivers Are Especially At Risk
Motor vehicle crashes are a serious problem for everyone, but especially
for teenagers, who are statistically 2- 3 times more likely to be involved in a
fatal crash than older and more experienced drivers.
Statistics indicate that male drivers
have a higher percentage of car
crashes than female drivers.
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Young people in the United States are
at greater risk of being injured or being
involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash,
than others from around the world.
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Stay Alert, Stay Alive
Drivers should avoid risky
behavior and always follow
reduced-risk driving practices.
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Drivers should never become complacent or overconfident in
their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely…and should never,
ever text and drive!
Drivers should minimize distractions, focus on the task-at-hand and be
aware of their surroundings.
By focusing on the driving task, and staying attentive, drivers minimize
exposure, risk, and the odds of being in a collision or receiving traffic citations.
Stay Alert, Stay Alive
Student drivers should know
that their driving privileges are
not permanent and can be
suspended or revoked.
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Be Patient, It Takes Time
The knowledge and skills necessary for safe and defensive driving will take
time to develop. So, be patient…
Physical skills such as basic vehicle operation (steering, braking,
accelerating and parking) may develop sooner than analysis skills like
perception, acuteness, and awareness.
It is important that both the student and the instructor be patient and mindful that
some skills and techniques may take longer to develop than others.
Test Your Knowledge
Drivers can minimize risk by ____.
A. being attentive
B. focusing on the driving task
C. being aware of their surroundings
D. All of the Above
Test Your Knowledge
Drivers can minimize risk by ____.
A. being attentive
B. focusing on the driving task
C. being aware of their surroundings
D. All of the Above
ANSWER: D
Learn From Others
Learn From the Experience of Others
Your parent-instructor’s experience and knowledge about driving is an
invaluable resource that is at your disposal, and one that will greatly
benefit your growth as a driver.
There will be situations that your parent-instructor will have faced many
times, so we encourage students to ask a great deal of questions during
the instruction process.
Take for instance a situation where you’re exiting right, out of a parking lot, and
the near lane has a vehicle with it’s right blinker indicating that they are turning
into the parking lot that you’re exiting…..should you assume that because their
blinker is on, that they are turning, or should you wait?
What do you do?
Proceed to watch a video.
Exiting a Parking Lot
Be Prepared!
When faced with adversity, drivers must make decisions
in a matter of seconds.
A driver’s ability to think fast, and make the right decision quickly,
will be based on knowledge and past-experience.
It is difficult to predict and discuss every driving scenario you will face in your lifetime,
but the better versed you are, the better fit you will be to process information quickly
and react accordingly.
Test Your Knowledge
Drivers can minimize risk by ____.
Don't Get Distracted
Don't Get Distracted
Today’s drivers face many more distractions
than drivers from just a few years ago.
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As the basic physical and organizational structure of our
highway transportation system changes, so do the number of
roadway users and distractions.
Advances in technology and easier access to mobile-phones, personal
video game components and social media apps have added to the
distractions faced by all roadway users.
It is important for young drivers understand the serious
consequences resulting from distracted driving, or consuming
alcohol or drugs before or while operating a motor vehicle.
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As young drivers develop patience, experience and maturity, they will have
a better understanding of how to safely navigate the Highway Transportation
System (HTS).
Novice Driver Statistics
Novice Driver Statistics
The following data has been gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Center For
Disease Control and Prevention.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death
for American teens.
Six teens ages 16-19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries.
Immaturity, complacency & inattention can result in recklessness, speeding
and other risky habits.
Inexperience inhibits a teen driver’s ability to recognize and respond to road
hazards in a safe and swift manner.
Per mile driven, teens ages 16-19 are nearly three (3) times more likely to die in
crashes than drivers 20 years of age and older.
Excessive speed is a factor in about one-third (1/3) of teen fatal crashes.
The fatal crash rate for teens ages 16-19 is about four (4) times as
high at night as it is during the day.
Driver Error, inattention and speed are leading causes of
teen motor vehicle fatalities.
Teens who text while driving, spend approximately 10% of their driving time
outside of their lane.
Fatal crashes for teens are more likely to occur when other young passengers
are riding with them. This risk increases with the addition of every passenger.
Approximately 3 of 5 teen-passenger deaths occur in crashes with another teen behind-the-wheel.
Night-time driving is a high-risk activity for novice drivers.
Per mile driven, the fatal crash rate for 16-year-olds is about twice
(2x) as high at night-time than during the daytime.
Teens are less likely than adults to drive after drinking alcohol, but their crash risk
is substantially higher when they do.
About 1 in 5 fatally injured 16-year-old drivers have blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) of 0.08% percent or higher.
Studies show that young males, pickup-truck drivers and passengers,
and people living in rural areas are statistically less likely to “buckle up.”
Studies indicate that teen drivers and passengers are among those least likely
to wear their seat belts.
Approximately 3,300 teen passengers, ages 16 to 20, are killed in motor
vehicle crashes every year.
56% (1,880) were unrestrained at the time of the fatal crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
approximately 3,000 people are killed in distracted driving crashes every year.
Statistics indicate that the largest proportion of distracted drivers
are the “under-20” age group.
16% of drivers under the age of 20, involved in fatal crashes,
were reported to have been distracted while driving.
77% of young drivers are confident that they can
safely text while driving.
A University of Utah study found that the reaction time of a teen driving
and talking on a cell phone, is the same as that of a 70-year old driver
who’s not using a phone.
Texting while driving increases the odds of a crash by 23 times, because
it is the longest, eyes-off-the-road, time of all distracted driving activities.
Despite the increase in fatalities of texting and driving,
many teen drivers ignore the warnings and continue to
engage in risky behavior.
Today’s drivers face many more challenges and distractions than those
drivers from just a few years ago.
It is important for teen drivers to focus on the task-at-hand and minimize
distractions while driving.
It is difficult to predict every scenario a driver will face in their lifetime, but
statistics indicate that paying attention, being aware of the space
around your vehicle and minimizing risky behavior such as texting &
driving helps prevent crashes.
Simply put, pay attention, be courteous, don’t be overconfident
in your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and never allow
others to dictate how you drive!
The preceding data has been gathered from numerous sources including, but not limited
to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety and the Center For Disease Control and Prevention.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
You’re done with Lesson 1.1 There are 8 more lessons in Module 1
Module 1 of 12: Lesson 1.
Teens ages 16–19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries
Per mile driven, teens are nearly 3× more likely to die in crashes than drivers 20+
Excessive speed is a factor in about one-third of teen fatal crashes
Fatal crash rate for teens is 4× as high at night as during the day
Of the ~3,300 teen passengers killed in crashes annually, 56% were unrestrained
People killed in distracted driving crashes every year (NHTSA)
Drivers under 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted
Of young drivers are confident they can safely text while driving
Texting while driving increases crash odds by 23 times — the longest eyes-off-road activity