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The Condition of the Driver

The Condition of the Driver. Chapter 3. Physical Condition of the Driver. Vision Age Coordination Hearing Size and Height Chronic Illness & disability Fatigue & Lack of sleep Illness Injury Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Vision.

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The Condition of the Driver

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  1. The Condition of the Driver Chapter 3

  2. Physical Condition of the Driver • Vision • Age • Coordination • Hearing • Size and Height • Chronic Illness & disability • Fatigue & Lack of sleep • Illness • Injury • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  3. Vision Many of your decisions made while driving are based on what you SEE. • Visual Acuity • Ability to see objects both near and far. • 20/20 vision is normal • Field of Vision • Area you can see directly in front of you, to both sides, and straight ahead

  4. Vision • Field of Vision • Central Vision • The area in front of you where everything is clear • Only about 3 degrees wide • Peripheral Vision • Unfocused areas to the sides of your central vision • 180 degrees • Peripheral vision is reduced 25% at 30mph and almost 90% at 60mph

  5. Vision • Depth Perception • Ability to judge the distance between two objects • i.e., following distance, stopping, ? • Color Vision • Ability to see color • i.e., signs & signals • Color blindness • Inability to differentiate between certain colors • Can still drive, but uses other visual cues

  6. AgeOlder vs. Younger • Older drivers may reduce their speed and try to avoid situations that require quicker reflexes

  7. Coordination • Determined by how quickly and efficiently you muscular and nervous systems can work together. • Hand & Foot Coordination • i.e., steering, braking, accelerating, shifting gears • Some people are naturally more coordinated than others, but with practice can develop good driving skills. • Increase space cushioning and following distance

  8. Hearing • Hearing can tell us lots of things while driving • Your ears detect sounds of potential hazards • Horns • Sirens • Vehicles you cannot see • Pedestrians • Other instances • Information obtained from hearing can be crucial in split second decisions

  9. Size and Height • May limit a driver’s ability to comfortably or safely operate a motor vehicle. • Too short • Too tall • Obese • Make adjustments inside the car • Mirrors • Seat • Steering wheel • Pedals?

  10. Chronic Illness & Disability • Thanks to technology, many can drive • Chronic Illness • Can control their conditions with medicine • However, they shouldn’t drive while taking certain medications that affect their ability to drive • Disabilities • Adapted vehicles to make accommodations • Given a license on a case-by-case basis

  11. Fatigue & Lack of Sleep • Can affect your reaction time and decision-making abilities • Fatigue • mostly on long trips, but can be caused by a number of factors, such as boredom, eyestrain, poor ventilation, eating or drinking too much • Sets in slowly • Symptoms • Physical • Drowsiness, blurred vision, double vision, slowed reactions, lack of coordination, and problems judging distance and speed • Emotional • Irritability • inattentiveness

  12. Fatigue & Lack of Sleep • What can you do? • Pull over • Rest areas • Eat lightly

  13. Illness or Injury • Avoid driving at all costs • Illness makes you drowsy and/or inattentive • Injury can affect your ability to drive or affect reaction time

  14. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Causes • Damaged exhaust • Driving in an area with insufficient ventilation • Starting vehicles in a garage with the door closed • Smoking with the windows closed • Symptoms • Headache, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, and/or loss of strength • End result • Unconsciousness • Death

  15. Mental Condition of the Driver • Anger • Stress • Anxiety, Excitement, & Depression • Distractions

  16. Anger • One of the most powerful emotions • Aggressive mindset leads to aggressive driving • Road Rage-action specifically targeted to another driver • Tailgating, yelling at other drivers, obscene gestures, blocking paths, assault

  17. Anger • Causes of road rage • Hot temperatures • Over-crowded roadways • Set off by minor event that acts as the last straw • Person already under stress

  18. Stress • Busy schedule • Not enough sleep • Personal problems at work, home, or school • Stress causes adrenaline rushes, muscle tension, increased breathing and heart rates, sweaty palms, headaches, and extreme fatigue.

  19. Stress • Plan ahead to reduce stress • Allow extra time during rush hour or bad weather • Map your route before leaving • Call ahead if you are late

  20. Anxiety, Excitement, & Depression • Major source of anxiety is driving in unfamiliar surroundings • Panic sets in and it is easy to miss or overlook critical information • Being too excited can decrease your attention and increase your willingness to take risks. • Depression can affect your concentration and coordination • Best thing to do is have someone else drive for you

  21. Distractions • Car stereos • Cell Phones • Passengers and Kids • Smoking • Pets • Rubbernecking

  22. Review Unit 1 Test on Friday Chapter 1, 3, Graduated Licensing & IPDE Process

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