Driving
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 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 those rules of the road which apply to all drivers.
Driving includes knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the speed and direction , and the braking of the vehicle, and especially includes knowing how to do both safely.
Encyclopedia
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 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 those rules of the road which apply to all drivers.
Driving includes knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the speed and direction , 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.
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
- Steering the vehicle's direction with the steering wheel
- Operating other important ancillary devices like the headlights and windshield wipers
- Watching the road conditions in all directions around the vehicle to monitor the relative location of other vehicles and pedestrians.
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 else on the road. The skill of safe driving is necessary to avoid
collisions, which kill many thousands of people annually .
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 help to avoid and prevent accidents. This is often described as
defensive driving.
Driving laws
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 , vehicle registration , 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 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 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" plates, and are subject to lower speed limits, alcohol limits, and other restrictions for their first two years of driving. This varies between states.
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 , 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:
Greece lies at the juncture of Europe [i], Asia [i], and Africa [i]. ...
: Varies from 16 to 18 years of age, depending on Vehicle Category. Usually minimum of 17
Throughout history, Iran has been of great geostrategic [i] importance because of its centr ...
: 18
...
: 17
...
: 18
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 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 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 , and a separate Department of Motor Vehicles that handles driver licensing and vehicle registration. There is usually a state police agency 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.
The Three A's of Safe Driving
Alignment--stay squarely in your lane and be eminently predictable to other drivers.
Altitude--high aim regarding your line of vision and see as far ahead as your reasonably can.
Appreciation--appreciate the safe, reasonable actions of the majority of your fellow drivers rather than allowing yourself to be distracted by the actions of a few.
See also
External links
-
- - Some interesting articles about How a Car Works and also How to drive.
-
- article written by David Maillie
-
- : Minimum Driving Ages. - and .
- - Information, Education, Guides
-
-
-
