LHS Drivers Ed – Austin Bunton Designs

This is where everyone in our realm comes to learn how to be a great personal vehicle operator.

–

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Basics
Vocabulary
Progression
Year-by-Year Progression
Locations
Images

–

Introduction:

Driver’s Ed’ in Inisfree is like nothing else. Expect far more than you would have ever gotten at one of these programs in the Outlands. Our years-long course includes defensive driving, evasive maneuvers, convoy operations, and more (with the commutes to and from school doubling as this, with each smart-vehicle monitoring progress, the exception being our luxury school-buses; they ferry groups, and are not used as student/learning vehicles).

–

Basics:

blind-spot
brake-pedal
clutch / shift(er)
crosswalk
e-brake (emergency-brake) / hand-brake
gas pedal / accelerator
high-beams / “brights”
intersection
median
on-ramp
one-way sign/street
right-of-way
speedometer
shoulder
stop-sign
stopping-distance
steering-wheel
traffic-light
turn-signal
yield

–

Vocabulary:

3-Second Following Distance: A safe following distance between your vehicle and the one ahead, which would take three seconds to cross at your current speed
12-15 Second Range: Area you will be travelling in during the next 12 to 15 seconds, and where you need to identify changes in your path of travel
Acceleration Lane: Lane that permits drivers entering an expressway to accelerate to the speed of expressway traffic
Active Railroad Crossing: A crossing controlled with electric signals, often having a crossway gate
Active Restraint Device: Restraint device that you have to engage
Advisory Speed Signs: Provide suggested maximum speeds for sharp curves and other special situations
Aggressive Driving: Driving without regard for the safety of others
Air Pocket: Air trapped in the highest point of a vehicle for a brief time after it is completely submerged underwater
Alcoholism: An addiction to alcohol
Alternative Fuel: Fuel not based on petroleum, reducing dependence on imported oil
Angle Parking: Parking the vehicle diagonally to the curb
Antilock Braking System (ABS): Computer-controlled braking system that keeps the wheels from locking if the driver brakes hard
Auditory Distraction: A sound that diverts the driver’s attention from the driving task
Beltway: A highway that loops around a city
Biomechanical Distraction: Any mechanical act not specifically related to driving that is performed by a driver
Blind Intersection: An intersection in which your view of traffic on an intersecting road is impeded
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC): Amount of alcohol in the blood expressed as a percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream
Blowout: A sudden loss of tire air pressure while driving, as when a tire is punctured and loses all its air at once
Brake Fade: Loss of braking effectiveness caused by the brakes overheating after continuous hard breaking
Braking Distance: Distance your vehicle travels from the time you apply the brake until your vehicle stops
Braking Point: The point at which the brakes begin to work and slow the vehicle
Budget: The amount of money you have to spend
Carbon Monoxide: Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas contained in the exhaust fumes of gasoline engines
Catalytic Converter: Part of a vehicle’s emission system that converts harmful gases into less harmful gases and water
Center of Gravity: Point around which an object’s weight is evenly distributed
Central Vision: The portion of your field of vision which you can see clearly; This is a 10-degree cone-shaped area directly ahead
Chronic Illness: An ailment that lasts over a period of years
Closed Zone: Space not open to you because of a restriction in your line of sight or intended path of travel
Clutch: Mechanism in a manual transmission vehicle that enables a driver to shift gears
Cognitive Distraction: Occurs when the driver is lost in thought or daydreaming
Collision: Contact between a vehicle and another object, whether or not the object is moving
Collision Insurance: Provides coverage to pay the costs of repair or replacement of your vehicle from a collision
Color Blindness: An inability to distinguish colors
Common Speed: Speed used by most drivers on an expressway
Compact Spare: A temporary spare tire
Compromise Space: Reduce risk by giving as much space as possible to the greater of two or more hazards
Controlled-Access: Refers to a highway that vehicles can enter and exit only at interchanges
Controlled Braking: Reducing speed as quickly as possible while maintaining steering control of your vehicle
Controlled Intersection: Intersection at which traffic signals or signs determine right of way
Convex Mirror: A mirror curved outward, like the exterior of a ball, allowing a wider view of the side and rear of a vehicle
Cover the Brake: Take your foot off the accelerator and hold it over the brake pedal to be ready to brake quickly
Crossbuck: Large white X-shaped sign located beside an uncontrolled railroad crossing
Cruise Control: Device that lets you maintain your desired speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator
Deceleration Lane: Expressway lane used to slow your vehicle without blocking vehicles behind you
Decide: Third step of the IPDE Process in which the driver selects the best actions as well as when and where to take them to avoid conflicts
Deductible: Amount of insurance policyholder agrees to pay toward vehicle repair or placement
Delayed Green Light: Indicates that one side of an intersection has a green light while the light for the oncoming traffic remains red
Depressant: Drug that can slow down the central nervous system
Depth Perception: Ability to judge distance between yourself and other objects
Designated Driver: Person who decides ahead of time not to drink alcoholic beverages and is appointed to drive others who do drink
Disability: A diagnosed physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area
Distracted Driving: Occurs when an event, person, activity, or object draws a driver’s attention away from the driving task
Dram Shop Laws: State laws that provide liability to a person who serves alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated or underage individual
Driver Inattention: When a driver’s awareness and focus drift to anything other than the driving task
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI): An offense for which a driver can be charged in all states if the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is above 0.08
Electronic Control Module (ECM): A computer in the engine compartment that controls engine efficiency
Emergency Vehicle: A vehicle that responds to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, or incidents that involve hazardous materials
Emotion: Strong feeling such as anger, fear, and joy
Energy of Motion: Kinetic energy or the energy an object has because it is moving
Entrance Ramp: Ramp leading onto an expressway
Euphoria: False sense of well-being developed as a result of alcohol or drug consumption
Field of Vision: All the area a person can see while looking straight ahead
Field Sobriety Test: Series of on-the-spot, roadside tests that help an officer detect impairment of a driver suspected of DUI or DWI
Financial Responsibility Law: Law that requires you to prove that you can pay for collision damages you cause that result in death, injury, or property damage
Fishtail: Sliding of the rear of a vehicle from side to side
Fixed Costs: The purchase price of your car, licensing fees, insurance, and other costs
Flashing Signal: Traffic signal that alerts drivers to dangerous conditions or tells them to stop
Force of Impact: Force with which one moving object hits another object; varies according to speed, weight, and distance between impact and stop
Forward Reference Point: A reference for the point in a maneuver when steering should begin
Forward Vision: Your driving view through your windshield
4-6-Second Range: Area where you will be traveling during the next 4 to 6 seconds, and where you get the final update of how you are controlling your intended path of travel
Fresh Green Light: Light that has turned from red to green
Friction: The force of resistance that acts between materials moving past one another, which keeps tires from sliding on the road
Fringe Vision: The part of your peripheral vision that is closest to your central vision and helps you monitor zone changes
Gap: A vacant space between vehicles
Gawking: Staring at a crash scene
Glare Recovery Time: Time your eyes need to regain clear vision after being affected by glare
Glare Resistance: Ability to continue seeing when looking at bright lights
Global Positioning System (GPS): A network of 24 satellites used by vehicle navigation systems to pinpoint a vehicle’s location
Grade: The slope of a surface, such as the side of a road
Grade Elevation: Bridges and tunnels are used to direct traffic over or under other traffic lanes
Graduated Driver Licensing Program: Program requiring young drivers to progress through a series of licensing stages with various restrictions
Graphics: Pictures used on warning signs
Gravity: Force that pulls all things to earth
Ground Viewing: Making quick glances to the roadway in front of your vehicle
Guide Sign: Sign that gives direction, distance, services, points of interest, and other information
Head-On Collision: A collision between the front ends of two vehicles
High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane: A high-occupancy vehicle lane on which single-occupant vehicles can travel by paying a fee
Highway Hypnosis: Drowsy or trancelike condition caused by concentration on the roadway ahead and monotony of driving
Highway Transportation System (HTS): Complex system made up of roadway users, vehicles, and roadways
Hole in Traffic: An empty space between traffic clusters
Hydroplaning: Occurs when a tire lose road contact by rising up on top of water
Identify: First step in the IPDE process, in which the driver locates potential hazards
Illegal “per se” Law: State laws that make it illegal to drive with a given blood alcohol concentration or with certain drugs in one’s body
Implied Consent Law: States that anyone who receives a driver’s license automatically consents to be tested for blood-alcohol content and other drugs if stopped for suspicion of drug use while driving
Index: A list of cities, roads, or other places of interest on a map, with alphanumerical coordinates for finding them
Inertia: The tendency of an object at rest to stay at rest, of an object in motion to stay in motion
Inhibitions: Inner forces of personality that restrain or hold back impulsive behavior
Interchange: A place where drivers can cross over or under traffic, as well as enter or leave a freeway
International Signs: Traffic signs that use symbols instead of words
Intersection: A place where roadways meet or cross
IPDE Process: Organized process of seeing, thinking, and responding that includes the steps of identifying, predicting, deciding, and executing
Jaywalk: Pedestrian action taken with disregard for traffic rules and signals
Joining Traffic: Turning right or left into lanes of other vehicles
Key Fob: A hand-held remote control device for locking and unlocking a vehicle’s doors
Lane Signal: Signal, usually overhead, that tells whether a lane can or cannot be used at a specific time
Legend: Chart that explains the marking and symbols used on a map
Liability Insurance: Provides compensation for damages to a third party for which the insured is legally obligated to pay; covers others when you are at fault
Line of Sight: Distance you can see ahead in the direction you are looking
Low-Risk Driving: Constantly monitoring other vehicles and roadway users without assuming they will do what they should
Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV): A mail truck, golf cart, or other four-wheeled electric-powered vehicle that operates at low speeds
Maneuver: A driving action
Median: Area of ground or concrete separating traffic moving in opposite directions
Merging Area: Stretch of roadway at the end of an acceleration lane on an expressway where vehicles join the flow of traffic
Minimize a Hazard: Reduce the possibility of conflict by putting more space between your vehicle and the hazard
Mirror’s Blind Spot: Area that rearview mirrors cannot show
Momentum: The tendency of an object in motion to stay in motion
Moped: Two-wheeled vehicle that can be driven with either a motor or pedals
Muffler: Device that reduces the noise from combustion sounds in the engine
Night Blindness: Not being able to see well at night
No Zone: Large blind-spot areas where truck drivers cannot see other vehicles
Non-Controlled Access: Refers to a highway in which traffic can enter or leave at any point, not just at interchanges
Nystagmus: Involuntary jerking of the eyes as a person gazes to the side
Odometer: Device on the instrument panel indicating the total number of miles the vehicle has been driven
On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System: A computer-based tool for recognizing and storing information about malfunctions
Open Zone: Space where you can drive without a restriction to your line of sight or intended path
Operating Costs: Vehicle-related costs that vary depending on the amount of driving you do, such as costs for fuel, oil, and tires
Operating While Impaired (OWI): (Same as DWI) An offense for which a driver can be charged in all states if the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is above 0.08
Orderly Visual Search Pattern: Process of searching critical areas in a regular sequence
Overdriving Headlight: Driving at a speed that makes your stopping distance longer than than the distance lighted by your headlights
Oversteer Situation: The result of turning the steering wheel too much
Overtake: Pass the vehicle ahead
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine: Drug that can be obtained legally without a doctor’s prescription
Parallel Parking: Parking the vehicle parallel to the curb
Passive Railroad Crossing: A crossing without flashing lights or a crossing gate
Passive Restraint Device: Restraint device, such as an air bag or an automatic seatbelt, that works automatically
Pedestrian Signal: Signal used at heavy traffic intersections that tells pedestrians whether they should walk or wait
Peer Education: Process in which young people help other young people make decisions and determine goals
Peer Influence: Internal force created out of a desire to be accepted by others
Peer Pressure: External force from others of a similar age
Perception Distance: Distance your vehicle travels during perception time
Perception Time: Length of time you take to identify, predict, and decide to brake for a hazard
Peripheral Vision: Area a person can see to the left and right of central vision
Permanent Disability: A disability that cannot be cured or improved
Perpendicular Parking: Parking the vehicle at a right angle to the curb
Personal Reference Point: An adaptation of a standard reference point to one’s own vehicle
Pitch: A tilting motion from front to back
Point of No Return: Point beyond which a driver can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection
Policy: A written contract between you and an insurance company
Predict: Second step of the IPDE Process, in which the driver anticipates possible conflicts
Premium: Specified amount of money paid to an insurance company for insurance coverage over a specified period of time
Prescription Medicine: That can be purchased legally only when ordered by a doctor
Prohibited: Against the law
Projectile: A flying object that could be a hazard to a driver or passengers
Protected Left Turn: Left turn made on a left-turn light, green arrow, or delayed green light while the oncoming traffic is stopped
Protective Gear: Items a motorcyclist wears to protect head, eyes, and body
Pull-Out Area: Additional right lane on narrow mountain roadways for slower-moving vehicles
Ramp Meter: A set of traffic signals- red and green only- used to control traffic flow onto a highway
Reaction Distance: Distance your vehicle travels while you react
Reaction Time: Length of time you take to execute your action
Rear-End Collision: A collision in which the front of one vehicle hits the rear of another
Recreational Vehicle: Large vehicle such as a motor home, a trailer, or a camper on a pickup truck, used mainly for vacations and extended travel
Reference Point: A part of the outside or inside of the vehicle, as viewed from the driver’s seat, that relates to some part of the roadway
Regulatory Sign: Sign that controls traffic
Reversible Lane: A lane in which traffic can travel in either direction, depending on conditions, often used during commuter hours
Ride the Brake: Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
Right of Way: Privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of the roadway
Right Turn on Red: Turning right when the red signal is on, permitted at most intersections
Risk: In driving, the possibility of having a conflict that results in a collision
Risk Factor: Anything that can increase the possibility of a collision
Road Rage: Driving with the intent to harm others
Roadway Marking: Marking that gives a warning or direction
Roadway User: A person who uses the HTS by walking, driving, or riding
Rocking: Repeating the sequence of driving forward a little and then back a little to move your vehicle out of deep snow, mud, or sand
Roundabout: A circular intersection, also called a traffic circle or rotary
Routine Check: Inspection done habitually, such as checking your tire pressure, coolant level, and windshield-washer fluid level every time you fill your fuel tank
Rubbernecking: Looking around a crash scene with curiosity
Rumble Strip: A short section of grooved or corrugated roadway, used to warn drivers of a need to reduce speed or stop
Runaway Vehicle Ramp: Place on mountain roads for vehicles to safely get out of traffic when their brakes are not effective
Safety Chain: Backup link used in case a trailer hitch fails
Safety Stop: A stop in which the front bumper is even with the curb line or cars parked on the cross street, allowing the driver to search 90 degrees to the right and to the left
Scanning: Glancing continually and quickly with very brief eye fixations through your orderly visual search pattern
Scooter: Vehicles that are generally smaller and less performance oriented than motorcycles
Semi-Automatic Transmission: A manual transmission in which the clutch is replaced with electronics that allow the driver to shift gears using the shift lever
Shared Left-Turn Lane: Lane on a busy street that helps drivers make safer mid-block left turns into business areas from a center lane
Shift Indicator: Device that shows the gear positions of an automatic transmission
Shift Lever: Device that is used to select a gear
Side-Impact Collision: A collision in which the front of one vehicle hits the side of another
Skid: When tires lose part or all of their grip on the road
Slow-Moving Vehicle: Vehicle unable to travel at highway speed
Space Cushion: Open area around a vehicle consisting of adequate following distance between it and the vehicles ahead and behind, plus swerve paths left and right
Speed Bump: A raised portion of the road, designed to make drivers slow down
Speed Smear: Occurs when objects off to your sides become blurred and distorted as your speed increases
Spur: A branch of highway that goes into a city
Stale Green Light: Light that has been green for a long time
Standard Reference Point: Point on the vehicle typical for most drivers
Stimulant: Drug that speeds up the central nervous system
Switchbacks: Turns in a road that bend sharply in opposite directions
Synergistic Effect: The multiplied effect of drugs taken at the same time as each other or alcohol
Tachometer: Device that indicates the engine revolutions per minute
Tailgate: To follow another vehicle too closely
Target: Stationary object that appears in the distance in the center of the path you intend to occupy
Target Area: Section of roadway where the target is located and the area to the left and right of the target
Target Area Range: Space from your vehicle to the target area
Temporary Disability: A disability that can improve and clear up
Total Stopping Distance: Distance your vehicle travels while you make a stop
Traction: A form of friction that enables the tires to grip the roadway surface
Tractor Trailer: Truck that has a powerful tractor that pulls a separate trailer
Traffic Density: The number of vehicles you meet per mile
Traffic Signal: Any signal used to control the movement of traffic
Trailer Hitch: A piece of equipment used to connect a trailer to a vehicle
Transmission: Mechanism in a vehicle that delivers power from the engine to the drive wheels
Tread: Outer grooved surface of a tire that grips the road
Tunnel Vision: Having a field of vision of 140 degrees or less
Turnabout: Maneuver for turning your vehicle around to go in the opposite direction
Uncontrolled Intersection: Intersection that has no signs or signals to regulate traffic
Understeer Situation: The result of not turning the steering wheel enough
Unprotected Left Turn: Left turn made at a signal-controlled intersection without a special left-turn light
Variable Ride-Height Suspensions (VRHS): A suspension that raises or lowers the ride height of the vehicle while it is in motion, depending on the conditions such as vehicle speed and terrain
Vehicle Balance: The distribution of a vehicle’s weight on it’s tires as they contact the ground
Velocitation: Condition of unconsciously driving too fast as a result of driving for long periods of time at high speeds
Visual Acuity: The ability to see things clearly, both near and far away
Visual Distraction: A sight that causes you to take your eyes off the roadway ahead
Warning Sign: Sign that alerts you to possible hazards and road conditions
Wheel Lock-Up: Occurs when the brakes are applied with such force that the wheels stop turning and the tires begin to slide
Zero Tolerance Law: Law stating it is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood
Zone: One of six areas of space around a vehicle that is the width of a lane and extends as far as the driver can see
Zone Control System: Organized method for managing the space -or six zones- around your vehicle

–

Progression:

Students learn how to drive human vehicles first; i.e. the small, primitive, less-responsive ones. Once they are good at handling a vehicle by themselves, they are ready for the rest / easier stuff.

Then they work their way up to larger vehicles with higher tech’, such as E.M.-bumpers, A.I., Repulsines, etc.. Those are the kind of vehicles common in Inisfree. Even if you literally fell asleep at the wheel, it wouldn’t matter, as our vehicles (those we make and use in our city) constantly monitor everything, and can take over all the driving/navigating functions.

General:

small car, observing
small car, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
small car, solo driving
small car, occasional autopilot use
medium car / sedan, observing
medium car / sedan, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
medium car / sedan, solo driving
medium car / sedan, occasional autopilot use
large car / SUV, observing
large car / SUV, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
large car / SUV, solo driving
large car / SUV, occasional autopilot use
small truck, observing
small truck, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
small truck, solo driving
small truck, occasional autopilot use
medium truck, observing
medium truck, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
medium truck, solo driving
medium truck, occasional autopilot use
large truck / suburban, observing
large truck / suburban, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
large truck / suburban, solo driving
large truck / suburban, occasional autopilot use
van / small bus, observing
van / small bus, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
van / small bus, solo driving
van / small bus, occasional autopilot use
bus, observing
bus, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
bus, solo driving
bus, occasional autopilot use
construction vehicle, observing
construction vehicle, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
construction vehicle, solo driving
construction vehicle, occasional autopilot use
motorcycle, observing
motorcycle, driving while the instructor is in the front passenger seat
motorcycle, solo driving
motorcycle, occasional autopilot use
etc.

Original draft by school-year:

Definitions
Cars, Station Wagons, Minivans
Trucks, SUVs, Suburbans
Motorcycles
Unstable Vehicle
Windy
Icy (snowmobiles, etc.)
Low-visibility (fog)
Uneven-terrain
Rough-terrain
All-terrain
Evasive
Exodus
Convoy, Cargo Trucks, Vans, Buses, Dulles-shuttles
Defensive
Offensive

–

Year-by-Year Progression:

spatial skills; prep’ before driving anything (ensuring each ICV is perfectly programmed and ready)
video/computer-game simulated driving
model/miniature cars/vehicles on a mat-track
remote-controlled cars/vehicles
Power Wheels / dune-buggies
motorcycles – before cars, so they understand how much more challenging it is, thus how careful they should be once they themselves are in cars
cars
SUVs
trucks
vans
buses
Dulles shuttles
N/A; students are outside Inisfree this entire year
mobile 3-story houses
Police Tumblers
Work-horse vehicles
driving while being fingered
auto-driver (like autopilot, but for smart-cars, not airplanes) while fucking
IC tank, then
White Rhino
Violent Rebirth II/III‘s stage-firetruck

–

Locations:

They start where the vehicles are made, then gradually learn to operate larger ones, finally taking out a few types on the highway.

more TBA…

–

–

Self Driving Bike By Google - auto balances balancing technology - to GAH

Also see:

clever evasive driving techniques for different types of vehicles –Corrupt human cops were a huge problem in the Outlands, so we teach you many ways of outmaneuvering and outsmarting them.

–

Little Deuce Coupe