Driving

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For other uses, see Driving (disambiguation).
Mercedes AMG CLS 55 drifting
Mercedes AMG CLS 55 drifting
Steering (note: the steering wheel should be held firmly with two hands)
Steering (note: the steering wheel should be held firmly with two hands)

Driving is the controlled operation of a vehicle, which is usually a motor vehicle such as a truck, bus, or car. Although direct operation of a bicycle, a mounted animal (not including chariot operation) or — at least in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada — a motorcycle is commonly called riding, such operators usually considered to be drivers by law since they are required to obey the rules of the road that apply to all drivers.

Driving includes knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the speed and direction (which in technical terminology are both components of the velocity), and the braking of the vehicle, and especially includes knowing how to do both safely. An experienced driver usually has an intuitive understanding of the basics of car handling.

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[edit] Driving as a physical skill

In terms of the basic physical tasks required, driving a motor vehicle generally involves:

  • Starting the vehicle's engine with the starting system
  • Setting the transmission to the correct gear
  • Depressing the pedals with one's feet to accelerate, slow and stop the vehicle and to engage the engine with the drivetrain (manual only)
  • Steering the vehicle's direction with the steering wheel
  • Operating other important ancillary devices like the indicators, headlights and windshield wipers
  • Watching the road conditions in all directions around the vehicle (including frequent checks behind the vehicle using mirrors) to monitor the relative location of other vehicles (including bicycles) and pedestrians.

[edit] Driving as a survival skill

Of course, driving is far more complicated than simply pressing pedals and turning the steering wheel; it also involves looking out for everyone (and everything) else on the road. The skill of safe driving is necessary to avoid collisions, which kill many thousands of people annually (see also car accident).

Safe driving is much more than following the legally prescribed rules of the road. It goes beyond that into the cultivation of good habits, maintaining attention, and a thoughtful, cooperative attitude that helps to avoid and prevent accidents. This is often described as defensive driving. Driving as a survival skill was once a matter exclusive for law enforcement drivers. This skill however proved to be something that the civilian driver must learn.

Survival driving involves knowing what a vehicle can and cannot do, and an understanding of the following:

  • Legal aspects of driving in an emergency situation
  • Decision making
  • General vehicle maintenance
  • Evasive maneuvers
  • Backing
  • Emergency response runs
  • Pursuit driving
  • Proper hand and seating positions
  • Vehicle dynamics
  • Skid control
  • Steering and braking techniques
  • Importance of proper tire inflation

[edit] Driving laws

Ohio Driver's Manual, 1950
Ohio Driver's Manual, 1950

In most countries, the use of public roads is heavily governed by law. Laws cover the construction and maintenance of roads, the construction and use of vehicles, the rules of the road, the requirements for motorist licensing (see Driver's license), vehicle registration (see License plate), vehicle taxation, safety inspections and compulsory insurance for heavy motor vehicles. These laws reflect the high degree of responsibility which is imposed upon both the drivers and manufacturers of vehicles (especially heavy motor vehicles) to make them as safe in use as they can possibly be.

Motorists are almost universally required to take lessons with an approved instructor and pass a driving test before being granted a license. The trend has been towards increasingly tougher tests in recent decades. Almost all countries allow all adults with good vision to apply to take a driving test and, if successful, to drive on public roads. Saudi Arabia, however, bans women from driving vehicles (whether pedal or motor powered) on public roads. Saudi women have periodically staged driving protests against these restrictions.

In many countries, even after passing one's driving test, new motorists may be initially subject to special restrictions. For example, in Australia, novice drivers are required to carry "P" ("provisional") plates, and are subject to lower speed limits, alcohol limits, and other restrictions for their first two years of driving. This varies between states.

[edit] Minimum motorist ages

The minimum age required to be a motorist varies depending on the country. The most common age is 18. Here are the ages required in some countries (in alphabetical order), note that some regions of the countries may start at a different age than other regions, this is just the minimum age requirement to drive:

[edit] Enforcement of driving-related laws

Each country has its own unique way of dividing up the responsibility for enforcing all the laws mentioned above. In nearly all countries, though, the laws controlling driving in practice (like speed limits) are enforced by the police, who are in the best position to identify violations as they occur and to issue citations or make arrests.

Some countries, like Australia, prefer to put everything road-related into a single agency at the state level. Thus, in the Australian state of New South Wales, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is responsible for driver licensing; highway construction, maintenance, and patrol; and many other things. Policing on Australian roads is provided by the relevant state police.

In contrast, in the United States, many U.S. state governments have a Department of Transportation that handles road construction and maintenance (subject to some guidance from the federal Department of Transportation), and a separate Department of Motor Vehicles that handles driver licensing and vehicle registration. There is usually a state police agency (called the Highway Patrol or Department of Public Safety) which enforces driving laws on state highways. On local roads, driving laws are enforced by county sheriff's departments or city police departments.

In many jurisdictions, bicycles are legally considered to be vehicles and cyclists are legally classified as drivers. The use of bicycles is rarely subject to licensing. However, some municipalities require permits for bicycles.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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