Outline
This outline shows the progression through the topics. Videos are listed but may vary over time. Chapter numbers refer to the Propulsion textbook.
- Goals of Driver Education (“Why You Are Here”)
- Introduction to the Highway Transportation System [Ch 1]
- Driver competence. Basic responsibilities of drivers; Liability and the concept of Last Clear Chance [Ch 1]
- Laws and regulations relating to vehicles and driving.
- Classes of drivers licences. Licencing regulations.
- Documents required – all the things you need to have in or on your car, or kept at home. [NS specific]
- Levels of infractions. Demerit point system (basic outline) [Ch 3], Suspensions. Being stopped; In case of accident [Ch 3]
- Health and Attitude 1: Vision, Fatigue, CO, Alcohol and Drugs. Video: “Drinking and Drugs”,
- Health and Attitude 2: Attitude, Mood, Road Rage [Ch 4], Videos: “Road Rage”, “It’s a Matter of Attitude”
- Attention, Distractions, Cell Phones, etc.
- Knowing Your Vehicle: Chassis, Engine, Transmission, Steering, Brakes, Cruise Control [Ch 15, 16, 5C]
- Knowing Your Vehicle: Exterior Lights, Instrument Panel and Indicators
- Occupant Restraints (Seatbelts, etc.) Video “Lookin’ Alive”
- Predriving Protocols: Approach, Adjustments, Blind Zone, Blind Spots, the Cockpit Drill [Ch 6]
- Videos “Predriving Protocols” and snippets on adjustments
- Traffic Control 1: Signs, Signals, Pavement Markings, with scenario diagrams [Ch 2], including Right of Way part 1.
- Traffic Control, contd.: Video: “Traffic Control Devices” [if time]; Signals on/in cars; traffic control people
- Types of roads (introduction): residential, urban arteries, rural highways and roads, freeways
- Roadway components terminology: shoulders, intersections, interchange, etc.
- Basic Maneuvers: Engine Start; Getting Underway/Entering Traffic; Steering; Acceleration;
- Braking Techniques: Good Time, Threshold, Cadence, Full Lock, ABS [Ch 10 C/D]
Videos: Labatt snippets, “Don’t Let Up” & “Driver Input Controls”
- Reversing; Leaving traffic
- Parking; simple roadside parking; Diagonal; Perpendicular, Parallel Parking. Video “Parking Maneuvres”
- Turnabouts: Around Block; Parking Lot; Driveway; U-Turn, 3-point turn [Ch 12F]
- Fuel Efficient Driving
- Defensive Driving concepts; SIPDE system; Video “Vision and SIPDE” [Ch 8], Distance and Space
- Video: “Right of Way” [Ch 12A, 14C] Basic Rules of the Road [Ch 3]
- General Rules of Road; Right of Way part 2
- Relating to other HTS users (animals, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency vehicles, etc) [Ch 1, 14D]
- Time and Distance relationships; Stopping Times & Distances/Energy relationships [Ch 10A/B]
- Managing Time and Space. Videos “Your Space Cushion” and “On the Streets”
- Laws of Physics. Friction, Inertia, Gravity [Ch 9]
- Urban Environment, Intersections and Intersection Turns [Ch 12B/C]
- Videos “Turning Maneuvers”, “Turns Left Right”
- The rural environment. Speed, lane changing, passing, tailgating. [Ch 12D] Video “Driving in Traffic”
- Freeway Driving: Characteristics, Entering, Driving, Exiting, Interchanges, Filtering [Ch 12E]
- Videos “Expressway Driving” and “On the Freeway”
- Adverse Road and Weather Conditions: Road itself; rain; water on the road; hydroplaning; winter preparations; winter driving [Ch 13A/C], Video “When the Pavement’s Slick”
- Adverse Visual Conditions: Poor Visibility, Low-light driving [Ch 13B]; Video: “ When the Sun Sets”
- Video “Driving in Adverse Conditions”
- Dealing with Emergency Situations and breakdowns [Ch14] , Maintenance , Videos “Emergency Situations” and “Taking Care of It”
- Costs of Owning a Vehicle: Ownership costs, Insurance terms, types, rate factors [Ch 17]
- Trip Planning (Vehicle, Time, Routing, Accommodations, Auto Club, Travel Medical Insurance) [Ch 18]
- In-Car Instruction appointments
- Survey (most months),FINAL TEST plus marking and make-up assignments as necessary.