OPOTA SPO'S UNIT 5 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Smith System - Answer -An approach to driving that incldes a five step system in
which you must practice all steps until they become routine
1. Aim high in driving
2. Keep your eyes moving
3. Get the big picture
4. Leave yourself an out
5. Make sure others see you
Smith System (Aim high while driving) - Answer --Look as far ahead as possible to
keep the driver's view up rather than looking down at the area in front of the car
Smith System (keep your eyes moving) - Answer --Establish an orderly visual search
pattern (e.g., look near and far, to the left and right, in the mirrors, at the instrument
panel)
Smith System (get the big picture) - Answer --Become aware of the whole traffic scene
-This is the mental process of putting together the clues received from the first two steps
Smith System (leave yourself an out) - Answer --Avoid being boxed in
-Maintain a space cushion (e.g., 2-4 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of
you ) surrounding your vehicle
-Increase space cushion as weather or circumstances dictate
-Constantly plan for eventuality of evasive actions
Smith System (make sure others see you) - Answer --Advantageous lane position
-Headlight use during the day
-A communication mode for getting drivers to be aware of one another's presence to
avoid surprise situations
Importance of safety belts and other occupant protection devices (4 part answer) -
Answer --Required by ORC
-Better vehicle control thereby reducing the chances of becoming involved in a collision
-Less chance of injury or death if involved in a collision while using a properly adjusted
vehicle restraint system
-Role model to community
Dynamics of steering (3) - Answer --Counter steering
-Under steering
-Over steering
, Counter steering - Answer --A method of counteracting the forces created in a skid, dry
or wet, by steering in the direction of the skid, or the intended path of travel
Acceptable hand movements for steering methods - Answer --Shuffle steering
-Hand over hand
-Evasive steering
Dynamics of braking - Answer --Front wheel lock up
-All wheels locked up
-Rear wheel lock up
-Brake fade
-Weight transfer
-Environmental factors
-Vehicle condition
Front wheel lock up (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --Caused by improper
brake adjustment or slick spot on the road
-Causes reduced braking ability and loss of steering
-Rear wheels act as a rudder and maintain straight ahead slide
All wheels locked up (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --Caused by a panic
situation in which brakes are applied abruptly and hard enough to lock all four wheels
-The vehicle will probably skid in a straight line as long as variables such as road
surface, tire tread, and air pressure are fairly even
Rear wheel lock up (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --Caused by improperly
adjusted brakes which cause rear wheels to lock while front wheels continue to rotate
-Vehicle will rotate around center mass in the horizontal plane
Brake fade (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --No feedback from the brake when
pressure is applied
-Is most common during a drive when frequent use of the brakes does not allow for
proper cooling (i.e., overheated brakes)
Weight transfer (vehicle accelerates) - Answer --occurs when the vehicle changes
velocity or direction
-the front lifts, causing weight in the rear to increase
-weight shift to the rear can cause loss of traction for front-wheel drive vehicles
-can increase traction for rear-wheel drive vehicles
Under steering - Answer --Usually caused by excessive speed. The vehicle will have a
tendency to continue in a straight line and resist turning due to a loss of traction with the
front tires (i.e., wheels are turned and the vehicle continues straight)
The Smith System - Answer -An approach to driving that incldes a five step system in
which you must practice all steps until they become routine
1. Aim high in driving
2. Keep your eyes moving
3. Get the big picture
4. Leave yourself an out
5. Make sure others see you
Smith System (Aim high while driving) - Answer --Look as far ahead as possible to
keep the driver's view up rather than looking down at the area in front of the car
Smith System (keep your eyes moving) - Answer --Establish an orderly visual search
pattern (e.g., look near and far, to the left and right, in the mirrors, at the instrument
panel)
Smith System (get the big picture) - Answer --Become aware of the whole traffic scene
-This is the mental process of putting together the clues received from the first two steps
Smith System (leave yourself an out) - Answer --Avoid being boxed in
-Maintain a space cushion (e.g., 2-4 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of
you ) surrounding your vehicle
-Increase space cushion as weather or circumstances dictate
-Constantly plan for eventuality of evasive actions
Smith System (make sure others see you) - Answer --Advantageous lane position
-Headlight use during the day
-A communication mode for getting drivers to be aware of one another's presence to
avoid surprise situations
Importance of safety belts and other occupant protection devices (4 part answer) -
Answer --Required by ORC
-Better vehicle control thereby reducing the chances of becoming involved in a collision
-Less chance of injury or death if involved in a collision while using a properly adjusted
vehicle restraint system
-Role model to community
Dynamics of steering (3) - Answer --Counter steering
-Under steering
-Over steering
, Counter steering - Answer --A method of counteracting the forces created in a skid, dry
or wet, by steering in the direction of the skid, or the intended path of travel
Acceptable hand movements for steering methods - Answer --Shuffle steering
-Hand over hand
-Evasive steering
Dynamics of braking - Answer --Front wheel lock up
-All wheels locked up
-Rear wheel lock up
-Brake fade
-Weight transfer
-Environmental factors
-Vehicle condition
Front wheel lock up (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --Caused by improper
brake adjustment or slick spot on the road
-Causes reduced braking ability and loss of steering
-Rear wheels act as a rudder and maintain straight ahead slide
All wheels locked up (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --Caused by a panic
situation in which brakes are applied abruptly and hard enough to lock all four wheels
-The vehicle will probably skid in a straight line as long as variables such as road
surface, tire tread, and air pressure are fairly even
Rear wheel lock up (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --Caused by improperly
adjusted brakes which cause rear wheels to lock while front wheels continue to rotate
-Vehicle will rotate around center mass in the horizontal plane
Brake fade (what causes it, what it does) - Answer --No feedback from the brake when
pressure is applied
-Is most common during a drive when frequent use of the brakes does not allow for
proper cooling (i.e., overheated brakes)
Weight transfer (vehicle accelerates) - Answer --occurs when the vehicle changes
velocity or direction
-the front lifts, causing weight in the rear to increase
-weight shift to the rear can cause loss of traction for front-wheel drive vehicles
-can increase traction for rear-wheel drive vehicles
Under steering - Answer --Usually caused by excessive speed. The vehicle will have a
tendency to continue in a straight line and resist turning due to a loss of traction with the
front tires (i.e., wheels are turned and the vehicle continues straight)
