Zone Control Driving Adapted from Frederik R. Mottola Copyright 1997 No part of the material in Zone Control Driving can be copied in any format without the written consent of Frederik R. Mottola HED 302s Driver Task Analysis Dale O. Ritzel, Ph.D. Southern Illinois University
Reading Assignment Read the entire book Empower yourself with Zone Control Driving written by Frederik R. Mottola. Follow along with the book as you review the materials that follow.
Decisions, Decisions Mottola indicates that the average driver is required to make between 50-60 decisions per mile. There are millions of ways that a driver can get involved in a crash. To minimize a crash and protect us a time of need, the driving task must be learned well enough so we perform driving skills by habit.
Mottola s 15 Good Driving Habits View the 12 Videos in the Mottola s video series that are available at the SIUC Safety Center [contact your instructor to gain access to these videos]. Also review Mottola s materials made available to you.
1. Get Driver-Vehicle Safety belts on Readiness You and others will stay in driving compartment. As driver, you will stay behind steering wheel. Doors locked provides security and better protection during a crash. Headlights on - helps other driver see you.
2. Make smooth, gradual starts and stops Heel of foot resting on floor in front of brake pedal. Apply pressure to brake with your toes. Keeping heel in same spot, rotate toes to accelerator to adjust speed. Use idle speed to move vehicle and increase speed with toes on accelerator in a smooth manner
3. Use Reference Points to Know Exactly where your Car is Positioned Reference point to use as driver to know where right tires are located is the hood ornament (center of hood). Reference point to use to aline front of car with line is the passenger s side mirror.
4. Before putting your foot on the gas pedal, see that the targeting path is clear A target is a fixed object that appears in the center of the path you intend to drive. You must first decide where you want the vehicle to travel and then look at an object that is in the center of the path. It could just be the center of the lane.
5. Visualize where the vehicle will be at least 12-15 (up to 20-30) seconds before you arrive there. Looking way down the road to see what is developing in your path of travel will help eliminate potential traffic problems. Review Ritzel s Searching Techniques in The Chronicle of ADTSEA.
6. Become alert to changes in your LOS (line of sight) and POT (path of travel) See an LOS-POT zone change. Check the other zones (areas around your vehicle) Make adjustments by getting the best speed control and lane position. Use communication devices if necessary.
7. When your LOS-POT becomes restricted, reduce your speed Speed can be reduced by de-acceleration. Speed can be reduced by taking your foot off of the accelerator and placing it over the brake. Speed can be reduced by depressing the brake pedal.
8. Adjust speed and position to keep empty space to the side Lateral positioning of your vehicle allows space for you to maneuver your vehicle is necessary. Lateral positioning of your vehicle also allows you to see better the traffic scene ahead.
9. When you see a red light, reduce speed to time your arrival into a green light
10. Before entering any intersection, check that the left, front and right zones are clear In today s driving environment where drivers seem to run red traffic lights on a regular basis, you need to get in the habit of searching to your left, front and right before entering an intersection on a green light.
11. When your foot goes on the brake, check the rearview mirror When seeing a zone change, check your mirror. When stopping in traffic, check your mirror. When getting to make turns and after completing your turn, check your mirror.
12. Before moving your vehicle to either side, check your blind spots By having your mirrors positioned out far enough (you do not have to see your vehicle with your side mirrors) you will minimize your blind spots. Do over the shoulder (glance to the side)check before moving in that direction. Use your convex-mirror.
13. Keep at least 4 (4-8) seconds of following time from the front vehicle Your eyes can search beyond the vehicle with 4 or more seconds. Reduces the control the vehicle in front has over your actions. Will help eliminate surprises from the actions of the vehicle in front of you.
14. When stopped behind a vehicle, see its rear tires touch the road Stop to see the vehicle s complete rear tires. Use 2 second delay with start-up.
15. Reduce stress by being courteous, rather than competitive, while driving