Vehicle Controls and Steering Techniques for Driving, Study notes of European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

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Driving Maneuvers

Session Goals

1. Identify all vehicle controls and demonstrate an understanding of their importance as they relate to starting, braking, acceleration, and steering a motor vehicle.
2. Recognize and demonstrate an understanding of the natural laws and forces encountered when driving, and their apparent risk while operating a motor vehicle.
3. Describe and execute important driving maneuvers, including parallel parking, three-point turns, lateral maneuvers and perpendicular/angle parking.

Review of Steering Techniques

Three steering techniques

• Hand-over-hand
• Hand-to-hand
• One-hand steering

Make sure to keep your thumbs poised on the outside of the wheel rather than using a full, tight grip

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

• Place your hands at the 9 & 3 o’clock positions on the steering wheel
• If making a Left turn - Use your right hand to push the wheel up and around until you reach the 12 o’clock position
• Your left hand then will cross the right hand to continue pulling in the left turn
• For a right turn – Use your left hand to push the wheel up and around until you reach the 12 o’clock position
• Your right hand then will cross the left hand to continue pulling in the right turn
• Once through your turn, loosen your grip on the steering wheel and let the steering wheel adjust itself so that the vehicle is going straight on the road National Highway Traffic Safety Association. UsingEfficient Steering Techniques

One-Handed Steering

• You can not pass your road test if you do one-handed steering. You must have both hands on the wheel.
• Why is it not recommended to use one-handed steering?
• When is it appropriate to use one handed steering?

Steering Discussion

• What is the correct hand position for driving on a straightaway?
• What is the correct hand position when backing up a vehicle?
• How do you know your wheels are straight?
• Why don’t you want to wrap your thumbs around the wheel?

Using Your Turn Signals

• Develop the habit of using your turn signals EVERY TIME you plan to turn, change lanes, slow, or stop. This allows you to be seen by other drivers by attracting their attention.
• You should signal at least 100-150 feet before you turn in residential areas. You do not want to signal so far ahead of your turn that it causes confusion with other turns ahead.
• Signal at least 200 feet before if you are in the country or traveling at higher speeds.

Why do you think people don’t use their turn signals?

Lateral Movement: Pulling Away from a Curb

or Lane Changing

• Before changing your lane position (e.g. changing lanes or pulling away/to a curb), you must determine if the zone is open or closed or changing.
• You must signal your intention to change your position by using your turn signal
• Use the acronym SMOG to help you remember the steps
  • S – Signal intention
  • M – Mirror checks
  • O – Observe
  • G - Go

Pulling Away from the Curb

• Turn your signal on to show you want to move into traffic
• Check all your mirrors
  • Check your rearview mirror for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vehicles
  • Are there any other potentials you can spot in your rearview mirror? (close and oncoming)
  • Check your side mirrors? Do you see hazards near and approaching?
• Move your body and observe to the front of you, to the rear of you, and to the back of you
• When path is clear, you can accelerate smoothly into the lane (Go).
• Don’t forget to turn off your turn signal!

Check for Understanding – Activity 1

• Explain the proper way to hold and adjust your steering wheel to assist in control and safety
• How do you know if your wheels are straight?
• When should you engage your turn signal?
• What does the acronym SMOG stand for?
• What is one of the first steps to take when preparing to pull away from the curb?

Additional Considerations When Preparing to

Turn

• Search for traffic (e.g. vehicle, pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle) on all sides of your vehicle. Look twice!
• Most crashes involving pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists are because the driver did not see them.
• Oversteering occurs when the car turns more than the driver intends when the rear tires lose grip and come around the car causing it to spin if not corrected.
• Understeering occurs when your tires lose traction. Although the driver intends to turn, the vehicle continues forward.

Making Right Hand Turns

• Signal 100 – 150 feet before the turn without causing confusion of which turn you are going to make
• Slow down BEFORE the turn. 10-15 mph should be sufficient for a 90 degree turn
• Did you check your mirrors? What are you looking for? (Left, right, rearview)
• Enter Lane position 3 (right side of lane)
• Right before you approach the turn – Look again for pedestrians, hazards, or stopped traffic

Right Turn Example

This short clip will illustrate how to make a right turn

https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/chapter-5-intersections-and-turns

Making Left Hand Turns

• Signal 100 – 150 feet before the turn without causing confusion of which turn you are going to make
• Slow down BEFORE the turn. 10-15 mph should be sufficient for a 90- degree turn
• Right before you approach the turn – Look again for pedestrians, hazards, or stopped traffic
• Did you check your mirrors? What are you looking for? (Left, right, rearview)
• Enter Lane position 2