Driving Safety: Definitions, Field of Vision, and Space Cushion, Study notes of Life Sciences

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Vision and Space

Definitions

____ Line of sight

____ Path of travel

____ Target

____ Target area

____ Targeting path

A. Space you will occupy B. Section of roadway where target is located C. Distance you can see ahead in the direction you are going D. A fixed object seen in the center of the path you intend to drive 20-30 seconds in the future E. The path the car will travel when focused on the target/target area

C

A

D

B

E

Field of Vision

Central Vison (Targeting, Reading Signs)

Fringe Vision (Viewing Path of Travel)

Peripheral Vision (Motion and Color Changes)

The task of driving is 90% visual input.

Space Cushion

• A space cushion is a buffer around your vehicle that you maintain to allow room to maneuver, if necessary. Know what is in your space cushion, scan frequently, and maintain awareness of other vehicles.
• The extra space will help you move or maneuver in case of an emergency or hazardous situation. If you do not have an adequate space cushion on all sides, you must be extra alert.
• Try to maintain a space cushion in the front and on at least one side of your vehicle.

1

Brainstorm Activity

Working in small groups, discuss how vehicle speed, physical environment, and weather conditions affect visual space and following distance.

Explain how you would determine safe visual space and following distance in rain, snow, or when driving in heavy traffic.

Blind Spots

• Blind spots are areas around the vehicle that cannot be directly observed by the driver while at the controls
• They can be caused by the window pillars, head rests, passengers, and other objects

Selective Searching – Knowing Where to

Direct Your Search

• Search for important factors
• Gather information
• Avoid surprises
• Look for changes in your line of sight
• Identify off road distractions
• Determine traffic conditions
• Adjust to changes in visibility
• Adjust to daylight hours and weather conditions (e.g. sunny day)

Selective Searching – Classifying Information

Classify information into categories:

1. Signs, signals, and markings
2. Roadway features
3. Motorized vehicles
4. Non-motorized roadway users

Use Your Steering Wheel

• You can use the steering wheel to reference the alignment of the car to the target and to the road.
• When the car is on target, you will see the center of the steering wheel aligned to the target.

2

Practice

Where is your target?

2

Putting Theory Into Practice

Central Vison (Targeting, Reading Signs)

Fringe Vision (Viewing Path of Travel)

Theory to Real-Life

Central vision is a narrow cone of 5- degrees which is used to identify detail and objects.

We see the target with our central vision.

2

Use your fringe vision to see the car aligned to the target.

The edges of the steering wheel indicate where the cars’ tires will travel on the road.

2

Is the car on or off target?

2