Drivers Ed

Homework for Day 1

1. You start with zero points and gain demerit points for being convicted of breaking certain traffic laws. Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the offence date. If you collect too many demerit points, you can lose your license. 10 infractions and how many demerit points the driver will receive include:

• If a driver fails to stop for a school bus the punishment is 6 demerit points
• If a driver fails to carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing they will receive 3 demerit points
• If a driver does not wear his or her seatbelt they will receive an infraction of 2 demerit points
• If a driver fails to stop when signaled or asked by a police officer they will get 7 demerit points
•  In the situation where a driver surpasses the speed limit by 50 km/hour or more they will receive 6 demerit points
• If a driver is convicted of failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing (for bus drivers only) the driver will receive 5 demerit points
•  If a driver is following another vehicle too closely an infraction of 4 demerit points will be given
•  Driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication or entertainment device results in a 3 demerit point infraction
•  If a driver fails to ensure that an infant or child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat results in a 2 demerit point infraction

1. A safety standards certificate is a document that certifies a vehicle’s fitness. You can buy and register a vehicle without a safety certificate, however you cannot put your own plates on the vehicle or drive it without one. A safety standards certificate is valid for 36 days after the inspection. Emission testing checks the levels of hazardous materials that escape from a motor vehicle with a combustion engine. The goal of mandated emission testing is to decrease the amount of pollutants that are harmful to the environment.

1. Driving under the influence is not taken lightly and therefore has serious legal consequences. Your driver’s licence will be suspended for 90-days if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is more than 0.08, or if you refuse to provide a breath or bodily fluid sample, perform a physical co-ordination test or submit to an evaluation. You will also be subject to an immediate seven-day vehicle impoundment. For a first occurrence, you’re licence will be suspended for three days. For a second occurrence in a five-year period, you will be immediately suspended for seven days and you must undergo a remedial alcohol-education program. For a third time in a five-year period, you will be immediately suspended for 30 days, you must undertake an alcohol-treatment program and have an ignition interlock condition placed on your license for six months. If you are under 21 years old your BAC must be zero. If you are caught driving with any alcohol in your blood, you will receive an immediate driver’s licence suspension for 24 hours, and if convicted, you will face a fine of up to $500 and a 30-day licence suspension.

1. The three types of insurance in Ontario are third party and liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensible insurance. Third party and liability insurance is mandatory. This type of insurance protects you and the driver in the event that you are responsible for an accident or if you are held responsible. Coverage includes damages, medical expenses, and other consequences that affected those who sustained injuries from the accident. Collision insurance involves coverage for necessary repairs to your vehicle as a result of an accident or collision regardless whose fault it was. This insurance also covers property damage. Comprehensive insurance coverage consists of vehicle replacement if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by natural disasters.

Homework for Day 2

1. Having knowledge of vehicle components leads to safe driving for several reasons. Knowing that the squealing noise your brake can make is deliberately designed into the car to let the driver know that it is time to change the pads, having knowledge of why this braking sound occurs therefore allows the driver to make the appropriate changes to his or her vehicle therefore making it safer to drive. This example of how having knowledge of vehicle components leads to safe driving can apply to any part of the vehicle that cannot be visually seen by the eye. Knowing how to use sensors, cameras, onboard computers, and modern collision warning systems can also help drivers avoid or lesson the impact of crashes. By having a basic knowledge of the vehicle you drive, you are able to further understand how the vehicle should perform and what may be happening should something unexpectedly start operating abnormally. Abnormal changes can be, but are not limited to, a change in engine sound, or a shaking of the steering wheel. Not only will having knowledge of vehicle components possibly save you money on repairs, but also has the potential to save your life for the reason that you know before operating the car if is or is not safe to drive.  

1. Highway driving differs from city driving due to the fact that city driving is relatively more complex because of it’s inner streets, smaller passageways, and circuitous roads. When driving in the city you also must be mindful of bikers, pedestrians, parked cars that block a driver’s view of incoming traffic, loading and unloading vehicles, the list consists of numerous more obstacles. City drivers also find that they are closer distance wise to other vehicles, which increases the chances of minor collisions and/or accidents. Where as highway driving consists of fewer obstacles, but requires drivers to be careful of environmental factors such as weather conditions, and vehicle components such as the amount of gas left in the cars tank because it is more difficult to get to a gas station while on the highway.

1. Battery warning gauge is shown on the car’s dashboard and looks like a square battery. This warning gauge indicates that the cars battery isn’t being charged, which is commonly an alternator problem. If you drive too long with out charging the battery, the battery will die and the car will stall. The brake-warning gauge is also located on the dashboard and looks like an explanation point in a circle. This warning gauge indicates that your parking brake is on or your car is running low on brake fluid. If you drive too long with the parking brake on, the car’s rotors will heat up and you will have no braking power, which is very dangerous. Another example of a warning gauge in cars is the temperature gauge. This warning gauge looks like a thermometer dipped in wavy water, and indicates that the car’s engine is over heating. If this happens turn the engine off and do not restart the car until the problem has been fixed.

1. ABS is an abbreviation for Anti-lock Braking System. Its purpose is to help the driver maintain some steering ability and avoid skidding while breaking. ABS uses wheel speed sensors to determine if one or more wheels are trying to lock up during braking. If a wheel tries to lock up, various hydraulic valves limit or reduce braking on that wheel. This prevents skidding and allows you to maintain steering control, which can therefore prevent collisions and/or accidents.

1. Three safety devices are seat belts, air bags, and headrests. Seat belts secure passengers from being projected out of their seat in case of a collision; this contributes to passenger safety because if they don’t wear a seatbelt they could be projected into a window, seat, or another person in the car. These circumstances can result in various injuries including becoming paralyzed. Air bags prevent deceleration injury to head and upper torso. Lastly, headrests can reduce whiplash injuries in rear end collisions.