Traffic Safety Terms

Acceleration Lane

An expressway lane used to speed up to highway speed.

Administrative Laws

Laws used to regulate driver licensing, vehicle registration, financial responsibility of drivers and vehicle owners, and minimum equipment and car standards for vehicles.

Antilock Brakes

ABS A braking system that

is designed to keep a car’s wheels from locking when a driver brakes abruptly.

Antitheft Device

Any device used to protect a vehicle from being stolen or entered.

Basic Speed Law

A law that states that a driver must drive at a speed that is reasonable for existing conditions.

Blind Spot

An area outside a vehicle that is not visible to the driver in the rear or side-view mirrors

Blood-Alcohol Concentration

BAC The percent of

alcohol in a person’s blood.

Deceleration Lane

An expressway lane used for slowing down before an exit.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving under the influence of any mind altering substance.

Driving While Intoxicated

DWI Driving while under

the influence of alcohol with a BAC over a set amount.

Field of Vision

The area ahead and to the left and right that can be seen while looking straight ahead.

Fixed Speed Limit

A posted speed limit that cannot legally be exceeded.

Following Distance

The time and space gap between vehicles traveling in the same lane.

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

A steering method in which the driver’s hands cross when turning.

High Occupancy Vehicle Lane

HOV A lane reserved

for vehicles carrying two or more passengers.

Highway Hypnosis

A drowsy state that may occur during long hours of driving.

Highway Transportation System

HTS A system made up of

roadways, motor vehicles, and people.

Hydroplane

To skim on top of a film of water.

Implied Consent Law

A driver gives their consent to be tested for alcohol. This consent is given in the state where you sign your license.

Limited-Access Highway

A highway that has fixed points of entry and exit.

Over-driving One’s Headlights

Driving so fast at night that the driver is unable to stop in the range of the headlights.

Point System

A system used to keep track of traffic violations by individual drivers.

SIPDE A five step driving process that enables drivers

to process information in an organized way.

SIPDE Search Identify Predict Decide Execute

Smith System

A set of five principles that help drivers operate safely and smoothly.

Space Margin

Keeping a safe distance around all sides of your vehicle.

Threshold Braking

A braking technique in which the driver firmly presses the brake pedal to a point just before the wheels lock.

Total Stopping Distance

The distance covered by a vehicle from the perception of conflict to the moment that the vehicle comes to a stop.

Tracking

Steering; keeping a vehicle steadily and smoothly on a desired course.

Two Second Following Distance

Keeping at least two full seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you in your lane.

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