Driving 80750 225747210 2008-07-15T05:36:58Z Djsasso 149061 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/24.131.249.254|24.131.249.254]] to last version by Antilived (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{otheruses}} [[Image:Rat run.svg|thumb|340px|Driving around [[traffic congestion]] instead of traveling through it.]] '''Driving''' is the controlled operation of a land [[vehicle]], usually a [[motor vehicle]] such as a [[truck]] or a [[automobile|car]]. Although direct operation of a [[bicycle]], a mounted [[animal]] (not including [[chariot]] operation) or a [[motorcycle]] (at least in the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]) is commonly called ''riding'', such operators are usually legally considered to be '''drivers''' and are required to obey those [[rules of the road]] which apply to all drivers. ==Driving skills== Driving in [[traffic]] is more than just knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the vehicle; it requires knowing how to apply the rules of the road (which govern safe and efficient sharing with other users). An effective driver also has an intuitive understanding of the basics of [[vehicle handling]]. ===Driving as a physical skill=== [[Image:JapaneseDrivingSchool.jpg|right|thumb|250px| Hinomaru Driving School, Japan ]] In terms of the basic physical tasks required, a driver must be able to control direction, acceleration, and deceleration. For motor vehicles, the detailed tasks include: <ref>{{cite web |title=Getting moving |url=http://www.drivingtestadvice.co.uk/Lesson_Help/1__Getting_moving/1__getting_moving.html |publisher=Driving Test Advice }}</ref> * Starting the vehicle's engine with the [[Automobile self starter|starting system]] * Setting the [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] to the correct gear * Depressing the [[automobile pedal|pedals]] with one's feet to accelerate, slow, and stop the vehicle, and if the vehicle is equipped with a [[manual transmission]], to modulate the [[clutch]] * [[Steering]] the vehicle's direction with the [[steering wheel]] * Operating other important ancillary devices such as the [[Turn signals|indicators]], [[headlights]], and [[windshield wiper]]s ===Driving as a mental skill=== [[Image:Mercedes AMG CLS 55 - Demonstration of drifting 1b.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Demonstration of |[[Drifting (motorsport)|Drifting]] at the [[Nürburgring]] Driving Safety Center]] Driver error is an important factor in [[Car accident|driving accidents]], a primary factor in the deaths of over a million people every year. Avoiding such error involves more than just following the rules of the road literally; [[defensive driving]] also involves the cultivation of good habits, maintaining attention and a thoughtful, cooperative attitude. Avoiding or successfully handling an emergency driving situation can involve the following skills: <ref>{{cite web |title=Think driving is all about practical skills? |url=http://www.easytodrive.co.uk/ |publisher=Easy to Drive }}</ref> * Making good decisions based on factors such as road and traffic conditions * Evasive maneuvering * Proper hand placement and seating position * [[Skid]] control * [[Steering]] and [[brake|braking]] techniques * Understanding [[vehicle dynamics]] Distractions can compromise a driver's mental skills. One study on the subject of [[mobile phones and driving safety]] concluded that, after controlling for driving difficulty and time on task, drivers talking on a phone exhibited greater impairment than drivers who were suffering from alcohol intoxication. <ref name="Strayer">{{Citation | first = David | last = Strayer | first2 = Frank | last2 = Drews | first3 = Dennis | last3 = Crouch | title = FATAL DISTRACTION? A COMPARISON OF THE CELL-PHONE DRIVER AND THE DRUNK DRIVER | place = University of Utah Department of Psychology | date = 2003 | url = http://www.psych.utah.edu/AppliedCognitionLab/DrivingAssessment2003.pdf}}</ref> Another survey indicated that music could affect a driver's concentration.<ref>[http://www.infoniac.com/science/hard-rock-and-classic-music-could-lead-to-road-accidents.html Hard-Rock and Classic Music Could Lead to Road Accidents, New Survey Says]</ref> == Driving laws == {{Unreferencedsection|date=October 2007}} <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:ohiodriversmanual.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Driver's Manual]] --> Almost every [[jurisdiction]] has rules of the road, [[Driver's license|driver licensing]] and [[License plate|vehicle registration]] that apply when driving heavy [[motor vehicles]] on [[public roads]]. Some also have [[Vehicular homicide|criminal law for negligent operation]], [[Vehicle inspection|vehicle safety inspections]] and compulsory [[Vehicle insurance|insurance]]. The high degree of responsibility imposed by these laws is based on the [[Death by dangerous driving|extraordinary danger of driving heavy motor vehicles]]. 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. [[Image:Finnish driver's license.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Driver's license]] 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. ==See also== * [[Automobile]] * [[Back seat driver]] * [[Chauffeur]] * [[Clutch control]] * [[Cruising]] * [[Defensive driving]] * [[Drifting (motorsport)]] * [[Driver's license]] * [[Driverless car]] * [[Driving pleasure]] * [[Driving under the influence]] * [[Global warming]] * [[Graduated driver licensing]] * [[Greenhouse gas]] * [[Heel-and-Toe]] * [[Highway Code]] (official road safety manual for the United Kingdom) * [[Highway patrol]] * [[Hodophobia]] * [[Institute of Advanced Motorists]] * [[Mobile phones and driving safety]] * [[Railroad engineer]] * [[Road safety]] * [[Road racing]] * [[Road rage (phenomenon)|Road rage]] * [[Sleep Deprived Driving]] * [[Traffic directionality]] * [[Traffic jam]] * [[Traffic sign]] * [[Vehicle dynamics]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================--> <!--| DO NOT ADD MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A COLLECTION OF |--> <!--| LINKS. If you think that your link might be useful, do not add it here, |--> <!--| but put it on this article's discussion page first or submit your link |--> <!--| to the appropriate category at the Open Directory Project (www.dmoz.org)|--> <!--| and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. |--> <!--| |--> <!--| Links that have not been verified WILL BE DELETED. |--> <!--| See [[Wikipedia:External links]] and [[Wikipedia:Spam]] for details |--> <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================--> * [http://www.howcarswork.co.uk How Cars Work] - also How to Drive. * [http://www.spicyedition.com/archive/driving-tips/ Tips For Winter Driving] by David Maillie * {{cite news | title = Drivers with dementia a growing problem, MDs warn | publisher = CBC News | date = [[2007-09-19]] | url = http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/09/19/drivers-dementia.html?ref=rss | accessdate = 2008-01-20 }} * {{cite web | title = Driving research wiki | publisher = Simulator Users Group | url = http://www.drivingwiki.org | accessdate = 2008-01-20 }} {{commonscat|Driving}} [[Category:Driving| ]] [[Category:Youth rights]] [[de:Fahrzeugführer]] [[fr:Conducteur (transports)]] [[hr:Vozač]] [[he:נהיגה]]