smiling teen driver

YO!...Teen Drivers!!! We dare you to read this. Go on. We bet you won't do it.

What is driver-ZED?

Experience Driver-ZED, the full-screen, full-motion, real-life interactive video that puts you in the driver's seat! You'll use your eyes and brain to spot trouble before it happens. Spot all the risks and handle them right, and you'll score a perfect 100 points along the way. But watch out -- it's harder than you think!

The driver-ZED DVD puts you into 100 live-action situations with three views of the action that includes your rear-view and side mirrors. You'll face everything from a child chasing a ball into the street to dangerous two-lane passing. You'll learn how to see danger by actually experiencing it on your computer instead of behind the wheel.

Along the way, real teens guide you through the program and offer clues to improve your score. (They'll also hassle you about your mistakes!) They'll even tell you some driving tips that can help you along the way. Some of the tips included involve the following topics: Aggressive drivers, speeding, zero tolerance, driver distractions, being courteous, sharing the road, night driving, seat belts and drowsy driving. By getting information on these driving topics, you can make better decisions while using Driver-ZED and out on the road. Some of the tip topics include discussions of:

DRIVER-ZED CHALLENGES

Driver-ZED offers you four kinds of challenges:

SCAN! In this type of challenge, you'll be presented a short video clip and asked you what you've seen. You'll receive points for correct answers. Sounds easy? Wait until you try it.

SPOT! During this challenge, you'll be shown a longer clip. The clip will then stop and you'll be asked to click on the driving risks. You'll earn points for spotting real risks -- but clicking on harmless stuff will not earn you points.

ACT! With this type of challenge, you'll be asked to spot the risks and choose the right action. You'll "drive" through the scene until it stops and asks you what to do. When you've made the right choice, you'll be told you are safe. Choose wrong and you're toast.

DRIVE! In this type of challenge, you'll be taken to the most realistic level that is almost like being in a real car. You'll be driving down the road when suddenly there's a traffic problem. You choose when to act and what to do -- you better give ZED your full attention, or you'll crash! The following is a list of the activities you may cover during DRIVE Challenges:

•  Basic Driver Actions

These are the skills you will use when you prepare to drive, such as checking around the vehicle before entering it, fastening seat belts and adjusting head rests upon entering. You'll be moving forward, stopping, turning, backing and parking the vehicle. There are many steps and procedures to these tasks that will require practice and patience…but with time, you'll get it.

•  Driving in Light Traffic

You will perform various safe driving tasks while entering, driving and leaving light traffic situations in this section. You will also practice parking and leaving parking places in several situations.

•  Driving in Moderate Traffic

While driving in moderate traffic, you will practice safely change lanes, using a shared left hand turning lane, and utilizing multiple turn lanes at an intersection.

•  Developing Effective Visual Search Skills

You will be asked to identify and act correctly when you are faced with situations where your visibility is limited, there is less travel space approaching and when there is reduced traction on the roadway. You will also identify various traffic control devices such as different types of traffic signs, traffic lights and pavement markings. You'll also realize that there are many others who use the highways so you will be looking for and reacting to large vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists just to name a few.

•  Driving in Different Environments

You will practice driving in environments involving intersections, larger highways and freeways. In those environments you will need to search the environment around you for many factors, decide the best way to approach the situations you will encounter and act safely.

•  Passing on Two Lane Highways

In this section, you will practice the skills necessary to safely pass another vehicle. You will also practice being passed. Along with these skills, you can also prepare for the skills needed for night driving, and driving in adverse conditions such as ice, snow or rain.

All of the challenges described above are designed in four environments that include, in the country, driving in town, on the highway, and in work zones. Therefore, you can choose which environment to enter and which challenge you'd like to take in that environment.

WHY USE driver-ZED?

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for drivers your age. One out of five sixteen year olds will have a crash. Therefore, teens need help in becoming safe drivers both in driver training and during at home practice sessions.

Here are some more facts you may not have heard:

The problem is that most teens do not realize that driving is a task that requires constant concentration and decision-making. Even the most experienced driver can find the task demanding and complex. When you think about it, you are controlling a motor vehicle, taking it from one point to another while complying with traffic laws and regulations. But, the challenge doesn't stop at that. There is always a constant interaction between even more elements of the highway and these make up the Highway Traffic System (HTS). These elements are the driver, the vehicle, other roadway users and the environment. The driver must process information from all of these elements and make safe decisions.

That is why practice is key. Using the Driver-ZED Program will introduce you to real life driving situations that will require you to concentrate, decide and even act in some scenarios. The program gives you a taste of the road, without all the risk. You can practice at home in front of the computer. That way, when you get behind the wheel to train with your teacher or parents, you'll be better prepared to learn the skills they will teach you.

Remember, your parents will be there to provide you with information and training to get you through the real-life situations you see on the Driver-ZED Program. It is important to listen up, concentrate and go into each lesson with a good attitude. Be patient, respectful and always ask questions if you need help.

Graduated Driver Licensing

By now, you have probably heard the term Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) mentioned many times. GDL is a driver licensing system developed to teach teens to drive gradually, by increasing driving privileges as you progress through the system. GDL requirements vary from state to state. The information about GDL requirements listed below may differ from your state's requirements. Therefore, it is important to contact your state's driver licensing department and obtain information about your state's requirements.

Generally, there are three stages or license levels that could be present in your state's licensing system. These levels are:

  1. Supervised Learners Permit : Supervision is required at all times, and other restrictions also apply. This period includes basic driver education and requires that no crashes or convictions occur before the learner advances to the next stage. For example, there are often restrictions on carrying teenage passengers, violations for failing to wear a seat belt are not allowed, and there is zero alcohol tolerance.
  2. Intermediate or Provisional License : This is the fist stage where unsupervised driving is permitted and represents the riskiest time in any driver's life. Because of these risks, most states impose various restrictions. Fewer restrictions are imposed; for example, unsupervised driving is permitted during daylight hours. This period may include advanced driver education and continues to require zero alcohol tolerance and no at-fault crashes or convictions before advancing the driver to the final stage.
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  3. Full license (or unrestricted license) : All driving restrictions are removed (except for applicable laws, such as zero alcohol tolerance for drivers under 21).

In general, while you work to obtain your license, you may need to ensure that you:

Regardless of the laws in your state, one should comply with all of these practices. Adhering to them will lower your risk of having a crash!

Work Zones

Driving through a work zone can be a very distracting and confusing experience. Often cones, barrels and signs seem to be placed all over at random, machines are backing and turning right beside you and many workers are walking, shoveling or working with equipment. But know that the cones, barrels and signs that seem to be scattered are set up in a manner that allows for that zone to be as safe for the workers and drivers entering it as possible. The key is, slowing to the posted speed limit in the zone and staying alert.

There will be many opportunities for you to experience work zones while using Driver-ZED. In the scenarios that address work zone hazards, you will encounter various work zone signs, workers flagging traffic or operating machinery, along with other drivers that may not be driving safely in the work zone.

Instructions for the Use of driver-ZED

Utilizing the program requires inserting the DVD and double clicking on “My Computer” icon on the desktop. Then, double click on the icon for the DVD. Soon a window for AAAFTS_ZED_3.0 will open. Clicking on the SETUP.EXE icon will guide you through the set up of the program.

Using the program is even easier and requires the user to simply listen up and follow the directions. There are five easy to spot icons that can be clicked on to provide specific information about the program and your performance. (Please see the DVD cover insert for additional information)

Perceptual Driving Program

You will have to opportunity to utilize a Perceptual Driving Program that is included with your Driver-ZED Program. A Perceptual Driving Program is recommended so that you can learn the skills necessary to know what to look for and how to react to different situations while driving.

The skill sounds simple doesn't it? You've been taught to look for problems and react to solving them efficiently in a lot of your classes, such as in mathematics and science. The difference is that at the end of this journey, you will need to be prepared to encounter driving challenges on the highway and deal with them safely and effectively to ensure your safety. In your mathematics and science classes, the challenges you face are in the classroom or in the lab, not on the complex highway traffic system.

Therefore, the Perceptual Driving Program, through a series of seven lessons, will provide you with information on how to deal with many challenges you will encounter while using Driver-ZED, and ultimately while driving. It will also instruct you on how to make an effective decision while driving so that you have the tools to deal with driving challenges quickly, safely and efficiently.

What you will need to do is learn, practice and utilize the skills being taught in each lesson. You will not be an expert at first. But, while practicing what you've learned during perceptual lessons with the Driver-ZED Program and behind the wheel with your parents, your skills will improve.

Sources:

American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Resources:

www.nhtsa.dot.gov

www.adtsea.iup.edu

http://www.driverzed.org/

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