Driver Education: Chapter 10 Vehicle Operation and Control

For the best steering control, always hold the steering wheel:

• with palms pointing upward, thumbs tight to the wheel.

• by the spokes, thumbs hooked in the steering wheel.

• on the bottom half with the thumbs hooked on the inside rim of the wheel.

• from the outside with the thumbs resting on the wheel.

To steer your vehicle straight ahead, you should:

• use the traffic lane markings as a guide.

• hold the steering wheel in the same position.

• use the preceding vehicle as a guide.

• look far ahead and target your path of travel.

To perform a turn at an intersection, you should turn the steering wheel:

• without releasing either hand.

• using one hand, palming the wheel.

• using the "hand over hand" method.

• using short motions, sliding your hands.

When using the hand-over-hand steering technique:

• the palms should be up when moved to new grips.

• keep hands, palms down, in the top half of the wheel.

• hands should be at the top of the wheel with the palms downward.

• each new grip, palm downward, should be at the 2 o'clock position.

The one hand steering technique should be used:

• only when changing lanes.

• when turning at intersections.

• to input evasive steering maneuvers.

• only when reversing.

When you intend to reduce speed or stop, you should:

• tap the brake pedal.

• check the rear view mirror.

• apply the brake pedal firmly.

• all of these in order.

The moment the brake lights flash on the vehicle ahead, you should:

• slow down.

• change lanes.

• move slightly to the left.

• move slightly to the right.

The distance your vehicle will travel, from the moment you apply the brakes until it comes to a full stop, is called:

• the total stopping distance.

• the braking distance.

• the perception and reaction distance.

• all of these.

To stop smoothly, just before coming to a complete stop, you should:

• ease up slightly on the brake pedal.

• press more firmly on the brake pedal.

• release the brake pedal completely.

• maintain the same pressure on the brake pedal.

The braking distance increases with the speed of your vehicle. For example, if you double your speed, the braking distance will be:

• doubled.

• tripled (three times).

• quadrupled (four times).

• nine times greater.