00:00:00
Part 2
00:00:01
Speed as a major problem
00:00:03
In this part, we'll talk about "speed"
00:00:05
and its three main hazards.
00:00:07
It's a very important topic.
00:00:09
As it's the basic rule,
00:00:11
based on which we'll understand the logic behind proper attitude on the road.
00:00:15
We'll constantly refer back to this subject throughout the course.
00:00:18
Because it will help us learn about other subjects.
00:00:21
Who are the road users?
00:00:23
Are they the vehicle drivers only?
00:00:25
of course not!
00:00:26
Road users are pedestrians, motorcyclists,
00:00:30
and riders of various types of vehicles.
00:00:32
Such as light and heavy trucks,
00:00:35
buses, and public work vehicles.
00:00:38
Although these groups are varied,
00:00:40
all of them use the road and interact with each other on the road.
00:00:45
What are the different characteristics that distinguish these groups?
00:00:49
They vary in speed and size.
00:00:51
Each one has a different speed and size.
00:00:55
Such difference is the cause of risks.
00:00:57
Because we, as humans, weren't created to move with high speed.
00:01:01
What's the speed of walkers, in your point of view?
00:01:03
The walkers' speed doesn't exceed 4 to 5 km per hour
00:01:07
The highest speed is 20 to 30 km per hour.
00:01:12
Since we're not used to high speed as walkers,
00:01:15
it's difficult for us to estimate speed.
00:01:17
How many times did we hear about run-over accidents?
00:01:20
Some of them are caused due to the person's under-assessment
00:01:22
of the vehicle's speed.
00:01:23
He expects that he can cross the road.
00:01:27
When he decides to cross with walking speed,
00:01:29
which is 5 km per hour,
00:01:31
the vehicle's speed will be multiply higher.
00:01:34
As such, he gets run over.
00:01:36
Ok. Is it possible to expect the exact speed of a bike or motorcycle?
00:01:41
or a car? while walking on road?
00:01:43
It's difficult for us, as humans, to assess high speeds.
00:01:46
Because our speed is only 5 km per hour.
00:01:49
We weren't created with higher speeds.
00:01:52
That's why we use the technology to measure speed.
00:01:56
Such as the speedometer in the cars.
00:01:59
The difficulty of estimating speed is the first main hazard of speed.
00:02:04
The second hazard is learning to control the car,
00:02:07
when driving with high speed.
00:02:09
It's a skill we acquire by getting experience over time.
00:02:13
By practicing driving, you'll have proper estimation of high speeds.
00:02:18
Through the mutual interaction between the eye, brain, and mind.
00:02:22
You'll learn to control the car while driving with high speed.
00:02:26
The third hazard is moving a large mass with high speed.
00:02:30
This may cause serious consequences,
00:02:33
if you hit another vehicle or person.
00:02:36
In brief, understanding these hazards
00:02:38
is one of the main reasons that make us, as drivers,
00:02:42
in need for being aware of our attitude,
00:02:44
and the attitude of other road users.
00:02:47
Dear, if the vehicle's weight is heavy and its speed is high,
00:02:51
have you ever thought of its power on crash?
00:02:54
Among the principles of driving cars,
00:02:55
and one of the main principles that help us restrain on time,
00:03:00
to avoid crash.
00:03:01
is the principle of adapting speed.
00:03:03
What do we mean by adapting speed?
00:03:05
It means adjusting and adapting your speed
00:03:08
with the road circumstances and traffic situations.
00:03:10
Although the situations are numerous,
00:03:13
and though some of them are different,
00:03:14
this is one of the most important reasons.
00:03:17
We must be highly attentive
00:03:20
and follow up what's going on around us in general, while driving.
00:03:23
We must select a suitable driving speed,
00:03:27
that helps us stop on time, to avoid crash.
00:03:30
The question here is how to know the right speed for driving?
00:03:35
The answer is by abiding by another principle,
00:03:39
which is the principle of stopping distance.
00:03:41
The stopping distance. What's the stopping distance?
00:03:44
It's the distance we cross since we see the obstacle or danger,
00:03:48
till we completely stop the car.
00:03:50
To understand this principle, let's take a look at its components,
00:03:54
how to calculate it, and the best way to use it
00:03:58
Since learning this principle will make you more committed
00:04:01
with a driving attitude that's more safe,
00:04:03
let's tackle the first component, which is the reaction distance.
00:04:07
or "careful distance".
00:04:09
What does it mean?
00:04:10
It's the distanced crossed by the car,
00:04:12
since seeing the hazard till moving the leg to brakes.
00:04:17
i,e, if I drive my car on a highway,
00:04:20
and see a sudden danger,
00:04:22
and on seeing it, I decided to put my leg on brakes,
00:04:26
this distance is called "reaction distance".
00:04:29
During this time of moving legs to the brakes,
00:04:32
is the car moving? or standing still?
00:04:35
Of course, it's moving, i,e, it's crossing a distance.
00:04:39
This distance is the "reaction distance".
00:04:42
So far, I didn't slow down.
00:04:45
How much time did you take when you saw the danger?
00:04:48
until you decided to move your legs to the brakes?
00:04:51
You'll answer "seconds".
00:04:52
Ok, the best ideal standard reaction, under best conditions,
00:04:56
while being completely attentive on driving,
00:04:59
takes one 1 second.
00:05:02
Supposedly, you took 1 second to hit the brakes
00:05:06
Of course, you think 1 second is not long time at all.
00:05:10
Well, how much distance do you expect you've crossed
00:05:13
while moving your legs to the brakes, during this second?
00:05:17
It becomes clearer when we learn to calculate the stopping distance.
00:05:22
Now, we'll conclude a definition to "reaction distance",
00:05:26
through what we got from explanation.
00:05:28
The "reaction distance", as explained,
00:05:31
is the distance crossed in 1 second.
00:05:34
Often, people need 1 second to take a reaction.
00:05:38
In fact, this period differs from one person to another,
00:05:42
based on various factors.
00:05:44
There are some factors that impair our ability to restrain
00:05:47
under unexpected situations.
00:05:49
Let's see the factors that affect "the reaction distance",
00:05:52
making it longer.
00:05:54
When does the reaction "or thinking" take longer time?
00:05:57
What do you think are the factors that make the reaction take longer time?
00:06:01
and impair your ability to restrain?
00:06:03
These factors are distraction while driving,
00:06:06
being tired while driving,
00:06:08
When the driver is under effect of medicine or drugs.
00:06:12
What do we mean by distraction while driving?
00:06:15
When we drive and at the same time be busy with another activity,
00:06:18
that distracts us and take out attention away from the road.
00:06:20
This makes us less able to see the potential hazards on the road;
00:06:26
and less able to respond to them properly.
00:06:28
Distractions are of various types
00:06:30
a mental distraction, when an idea crosses your mind,
00:06:33
taking you to another world and distracts you from focusing on road hazards.
00:06:37
For example, many of us forget or don't notice an exit,
00:06:41
because we were thinking of something else so we lost focus.
00:06:44
There's a sight distraction, when the driver looks at something other than the road.
00:06:48
Like getting busy with the mobile phone,
00:06:50
other road users, or any person or external incidents.
00:06:55
The quick look at anything other than the road,
00:06:58
might cost us our lives.
00:07:00
There's also manual distraction
00:07:03
The right holding of the steering wheel is made by both hands
00:07:07
Some drivers get their hands away from the steering wheel,
00:07:10
to hold something else.
00:07:11
Such as, food or drinks, while driving.
00:07:14
or to adjust the sound or the air conditioner.
00:07:17
Driving while tired.
00:07:19
Driving while tired makes you take longer time to take reaction.
00:07:24
And impairs your ability to take a quick decision.
00:07:26
Tiresome, fatigue, and drowsiness
00:07:29
make you lose focus while driving.
00:07:31
If you notice one of these cases on traveling,
00:07:35
you must stop and take a break for almost 15 minutes every 2 hours.
00:07:41
or if you have a companion,
00:07:44
he might drive instead of you.
00:07:46
Now, we'll talk about the third factor:
00:07:49
which is driving under the effect of drugs,
00:07:53
as well as some medicine causing drowsiness,
00:07:56
or resulting in taking longer time for reaction,
00:08:00
and reducing focus,
00:08:01
or impairing our ability to judge speed, distance, and time too
00:08:07
and that impairing our ability to take the right decisions.
00:08:10
That's why we have to read the medicine instructions carefully,
00:08:13
to make sure that they don't influence us while driving.
00:08:16
Alcohol, May Allah keep us away from its evils.
00:08:19
It gives a fake feeling of safety.
00:08:21
It reduces focus, and makes the person misjudge the speed and distance.
00:08:26
It increases fatigue and tiresome.
00:08:28
It also reduces our ability to take the right decisions.
00:08:32
We talked about the factors increasing the reaction distance.
00:08:36
What are the factors that decrease the reaction distance?
00:08:39
i,e, what are the factors that make the reaction be taken in 1 second or less?
00:08:47
making the distance we cross short?
00:08:49
A faster reaction and shorter distance?
00:08:52
Putting your foot on the brakes without hitting it.
00:08:55
How is that? when I am a protective driver,
00:08:58
I expect a reaction from the surroundings.
00:09:00
For example, I expect that the car ahead of me,
00:09:03
will hit the brakes.
00:09:05
Why? because there's an obstacle in front of it.
00:09:08
As such, I'll be ready.
00:09:10
And keeping my feet away from the accelerator pedal,
00:09:13
making it ready to hit the brakes.
00:09:17
If the driver in front of me hits the brakes,
00:09:19
I too will hit them.
00:09:21
Another example, if you notice a traffic jam, from a far distance,
00:09:26
as if there's an obstacle,
00:09:28
but you're not certain
00:09:30
be ready and keep your feet on the brakes.
00:09:33
Hit the brakes when you really need to,
00:09:37
and when you're sure of what's ahead of you.
00:09:39
The second factor
00:09:40
Making sure that you're healthy fit
00:09:43
What do we mean by "healthy fit"?
00:09:45
This means you've to be mentally and emotionally healthy.
00:09:48
And have the ability to focus while driving.
00:09:52
We have to clarify here that emotions might cause over happiness or sadness,
00:09:58
Both of which affect focus while driving.
00:10:02
The Braking Distance
00:10:03
Emergency Braking
00:10:05
It's braking as hard as possible.
00:10:07
Let's get to know the braking types.
00:10:09
There's a braking type, done by slowing down,
00:10:12
without stopping
00:10:14
Another type of braking is slowing down till stopping
00:10:18
As such, the braking distance becomes long.
00:10:21
Because the time is gradual.
00:10:23
There's a kind of braking, called Emergency Braking.
00:10:26
You'll get to know it by practical field training
00:10:29
Emergency braking is made by hitting the brakes with all your strength.
00:10:34
If we measure the weight you put on the brakes,
00:10:38
it will be from 60 to 80 kg.
00:10:41
This is what we call hard braking or Emergency Braking.
00:10:46
Its aim is to stop in a shorter distance before reaching the hazard in front of me.
00:10:52
A shorter distance means crossing a distance while hitting the brakes,
00:10:57
Is that right?
00:10:59
Or once hitting the brakes, the car completely stops?
00:11:03
If this is right, the world would be accidents free.
00:11:07
We'll repeat saying:when we cross a distance while hitting the brakes,
00:11:13
this distance is called braking distance.
00:11:16
What do we mean by "braking distance"?
00:11:18
It's the distance crossed by the car,
00:11:21
once the driver hits the brakes,
00:11:24
and till the car completely stops.
00:11:27
There are some factors that increase the braking distance,
00:11:29
We previously learned about the "reaction distance",
00:11:33
and the factors that increase the "reaction distance".
00:11:35
Now, we'll learn the factors increasing the braking distance.
00:11:40
When is the braking distance longer?
00:11:42
What are the factors that increase the braking distance?
00:11:45
There are 4 factors.
00:11:47
First, the car's speed.
00:11:48
The car's speed has a quadratic increase on the braking distance
00:11:53
i,e the braking distance is directly proportional to the car's speed.
00:11:58
Second, the circumstances leading to lack of friction between the tires and road.
00:12:03
Like if the road is wet.
00:12:05
As the wet surface decreases friction between tires and the road.
00:12:09
The sandy road might affect the brakes.
00:12:13
Bad tires might decrease friction with the road and increase the braking distance
00:12:19
Whether the tires are of high or low pressure,
00:12:23
in all cases, it will be bad as for braking and stopping distance
00:12:27
Third, the brakes' efficiency.
00:12:29
We must regularly check the brakes,
00:12:33
and ensure that they're always in good condition
00:12:35
Fourth, overweight equals extra power.
00:12:38
This means, the car carrying heavy load,
00:12:42
might cross longer braking distance.
00:12:44
A larger mass means more strength.
00:12:47
Now, we learned the components of the stopping distance.
00:12:50
which are: the reaction distance,
00:12:53
the braking distance,
00:12:55
and the factors affecting it.
00:12:57
Now, we can calculate the stopping distance.
00:13:01
Knowing how to calculate the stopping distance,
00:13:03
is a useful tool that helps us understand the speed's great effect
00:13:08
on the driver's ability to stop the car on time.
00:13:11
and on avoiding obstacles and risks
00:13:13
that the driver might face on the road safely.
00:13:17
How to calculate the stopping distance?
00:13:19
The stopping distance is equal to
00:13:21
the reaction distance plus the braking distance
00:13:25
Whereas the reaction distance equals speed/10x3
00:13:30
Supposedly, the time taken for a reaction,
00:13:34
is 1 second
00:13:35
at best, i,e the car's and driver's condition is perfect.
00:13:40
The braking distance equals (speed/10)x (speed/10).
00:13:46
As such a hard braking on a dry surface.
00:13:50
By calculating distances, we'll discover that
00:13:53
the higher the speed is, the longer the reaction (thinking) distance becomes.
00:13:57
As well as the braking distance.
00:13:59
We must not forget that we need to minimize the stopping distance,
00:14:03
to avoid risks on the road.
00:14:06
Because it's not logic if the hazard is 2 meters away
00:14:09
and we stop after passing 3 meters.
00:14:12
This means the accident will definitely happen.
00:14:16
How can we minimize the stopping distance?
00:14:18
It's highly important, dear,
00:14:20
to know your big role,
00:14:22
that you'll play affecting the traffic, and road safety;
00:14:26
through constant choice, awareness of slowing down,
00:14:30
focusing attentively while driving on the road,
00:14:33
learning the mechanism of putting your feet on brakes,
00:14:36
without hitting them,
00:14:38
in order to decrease the time of taking a reaction.
00:14:41
Accordingly, minimizing the total distance crossed by the car to completely stop.
