17 May, 2012 (updated 4 minutes ago).

Driving

Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, such as a car, truck or bus.

Although direct operation of a bicycle and a mounted animal are commonly referred to as riding, such operators are legally considered drivers and are required to obey the rules of the road. Driving over a long distance is referred to as a road trip.

Contents

History

Bertha Benz, the first long distance automobile driver in the world, driving the Benz Patent-Motorwagen ca. 1886.
In 1899 an automobile was driven to the summit of Mount Washington for the first time.

The world's first long distance road trip by automobile[1] took place in Germany in August 1888 when Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz, the inventor of the first patented motor car (the Benz Patent-Motorwagen), travelled from Mannheim to Pforzheim[2] (a distance of 106 km / 66 miles)[3] in the third experimental Benz motor car (which had a maximum speed of 10 mph/16 km/h) and back, with her two teenage sons Richard and Eugen but without the consent and knowledge of her husband. Her official reason was that she wanted to visit her mother but unofficially she intended to generate publicity for her husband's invention (which had only been used on short test drives before), which succeeded as the automobile took off greatly afterwards and the Benz's family business eventually evolved into the present day Mercedes-Benz company.[4]

In 1899, F. O. Stanley and his wife Flora drove their Stanley Steamer automobile, sometimes called a locomobile, to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire in the United States and to generate publicity for their automobile.[5] The 7.6-mile (12.2 km) journey took over two hours (not counting time to add more water); the descent was accomplished by putting the engine in low gear and doing lots of braking.[5]

Driveability

Driveability of a vehicle means the smooth delivery of power, as demanded by the driver. Typical causes of driveability degradation are rough idling, misfiring, surging, hesitation, or insufficient power.[6]

Driving skills

Car and driver.

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 and can drive responsibly.

Driving as a physical skill

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: [7]

Driving as a mental skill

Driving as a mental skill is like a constantly re-adjusting flowchart.

Avoiding or successfully handling an emergency driving situation can involve the following skills: [8]

  • Making good decisions based on factors such as road and traffic conditions
  • Evasive maneuvering
  • Proper hand placement and seating position
  • Skid control
  • Steering and 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.[9]

Another survey indicated that music could affect adversely a driver's concentration.[10]

Seizure disorders and Alzheimer's disease are among the leading medical causes of mental impairment among drivers in the United States and Europe.[11] Whether or not physicians should be allowed, or even required, to report such conditions to state authorities, remains highly controversial.[11]

Driving laws

A person is subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which he or she is driving. The rules of the road, driver licensing and vehicle registration schemes that apply vary considerably between jurisdictions, as do laws imposing criminal responsibility for negligent driving, vehicle safety inspections and compulsory insurance. Most countries also have differing laws against driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Most countries require a vision screening test for individuals to acquire or renew a driver's license.[citation needed] A 2010 systematic review[12] found insufficient evidence to assess the effects of vision screening tests on subsequent motor vehicle crash reduction. The review concluded that there is a need to develop valid and reliable tools of vision screening that can predict driving performance.

Motorists are almost universally required to take lessons with an approved instructor and pass a driving test before being granted a license. 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.[citation needed] 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 alcohol limits, and other restrictions for their first two years of driving. Another example, in California, licensed drivers (ages 16) are able to drive only with a family member for the first year. Yet in most states(mostly on the eastern coast) any licensed driver can take friends with them as long as both parents/guardians approve. These states include: Georgia, Alabama, South and North Carolina and Virginia.

See also

Winter driving can pose serious hazards in countries with colder climates. (Hwy. 11 in Ontario, Canada).

References

  1. ^ The First Road Trip
  2. ^ Making of 'Carl & Bertha' (German TV-Film)
  3. ^ GPS-Download Outbound Trip
  4. ^ The Car is Born documentary
  5. ^ a b CHRISTOPHER JENSEN (June 17, 2011). "Taming a Mountain Road With Horses and Cars". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/automobiles/19MOUNTAIN.html. Retrieved 2011-09-29. "That was the day that F. O. Stanley and his wife, Flora, decided it would be good publicity for their steam-powered Stanley Locomobile if it were the first car to be driven up the 7.6-mile Mount Washington Carriage Road." 
  6. ^ http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/hevtest/071608aftermarketpartsdraftrev.pdf
  7. ^ "Getting moving". Driving Test Advice. http://www.drivingtestadvice.co.uk/Lesson_Help/1__Getting_moving/1__getting_moving.html. 
  8. ^ "Think driving is all about practical skills?". Easy to Drive. http://www.easytodrive.co.uk/. 
  9. ^ Strayer, David; Drews, Frank; Crouch, Dennis (2003). "FATAL DISTRACTION? A COMPARISON OF THE CELL-PHONE DRIVER AND THE DRUNK DRIVER" (PDF). University of Utah Department of Psychology. http://www.psych.utah.edu/AppliedCognitionLab/DrivingAssessment2003.pdf 
  10. ^ Hard-Rock and Classic Music Could Lead to Road Accidents, New Survey Says
  11. ^ a b Jacob M. Appel "Must Physicians Report Impaired Driving? Rethinking a Duty on a Collision Course with Itself" Journal of Clinical Ethics Volume 20 Number 2.
  12. ^ Desapriya, E.; Wijeratne, H.; Subzwari, S.; Babul-Wellar, S.; Turcotte, K.; Rajabali, F.; Kinney, J.; Pike, I. (2011). "Vision screening of older drivers for preventing road traffic injuries and fatalities". In Desapriya, Ediriweera. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006252.pub3.  edit

External links

2012 Mercedes SL63 AMG Bi-Turbo review: Gentleman, Thug - CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS

2012 Mercedes SL63 AMG Bi-Turbo review: Gentleman, Thug - CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS

First drive in Merc's new 660lb ft sports cruiser. Contains civilized and uncivilized driving.

Mercedes  Benz  SL63  AMG  

Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan

Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan

We announced our self-driving car project in 2010 to make driving safer, more enjoyable, and more efficient. Having safely completed over 200000 miles of computer-led driving, we wanted to share one of our favorite moments. Here's Steve, who joined us for a special drive on a carefully programmed route to experience being behind the wheel in a whole new way. We organized this test as a technical experiment, but we think it's also a promising look at what autonomous technology may one day deliver if rigorous technology and safety standards can be met. A version of this video with audio captions is available here: youtu.be Music: The Album Leaf - "We Need Help"

Self-Driving Car  Google  Cars  Autonomous Technology  

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 v BMW M3 GTS v Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series. On street and circuit.

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 v BMW M3 GTS v Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series. On street and circuit.

You know the form by now: driving on road and track. Carving the neat, fast line. Then pulling mahoooosive slides, and telling it how it really is with all three cars. Doubt we'll have more fun in 2012.

bmw  mercedes  benz  porsche  

Kid fails driving test 5 times in a day

Kid fails driving test 5 times in a day

Kid fails driving test 5 times in a day while on cell phone. The California cell phone law isn't official until July 1st - boo yah. Wassup grandma. Special thanks to the hidden camera on the dashboard. www.parrot.com

parrot  hands  free  drivers  

Women Drivers Compilation (

Women Drivers Compilation (

a bunch of clips put together with some of the worst driving and parking skills

women  driver  funny  accident  

Darin's Supra E85 Street Driving

Darin's Supra E85 Street Driving

8 sec street car w/ air conditiong. Running on E85 at the moment. Around 800 hp to the ground.

Darin  E85  DD  Tuning  

The Most Nervous Driver In The World

The Most Nervous Driver In The World

Lisa is a neurotic mess who's terrified behind the wheel. Comedian Nick Stevens and the Driver Rehab team will try to teach her how to conquer her fears and better handle driving, but can they cure Lisa of her lifelong issues in one day? Subscribe! bit.ly Twitter: bit.ly Facebook: on.fb.me Terrible driving: It's an affliction so common, even some of your closest friends or family members probably suffer. But you can make a difference in the life of a bad driver by sending in video evidence of their driving disasters. If they're selected as candidates for rehabilitation, host Nick Stevens sets an ambush before turning them over to professional driving instructors. The instructors then work to transform them into world-class—or at least decent—drivers before we administer an advanced driving test. Pass or fail—there is no other option. Know a terrible driver? Send them to rehab: We'll ambush 'em, get them coached up, and give them a final exam. Connect To Nick Stevens: Twitter: twitter.com Tumblr: ahoynickstevens.tumblr.com Each week, the Car and Driver YouTube Channel will launch episodes of The Full Hoon, Driver Rehab, Battle of the Beaters, Car and Driver: Tested, Popular Mechanics Saturday Mechanic, and Road & Track Presents.

Driver Rehab  Auto  Driver  Car and Driver  

Driving Sports TV - Fiat 500 Abarth, BMW X6 XDrive50i, Acura RDX

Driving Sports TV - Fiat 500 Abarth, BMW X6 XDrive50i, Acura RDX

Complete broadcast episode. Includes Ryan's Fiat 500 Abarth review (appeared previously on YouTube), Aaron quests for something unknown in the BMW X6 XDrive 50i and and an extended Acura RDX review. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com For mobile and commercial-free viewing get a Season One pass at www.drivingsports.com

Acura  BMW  xdrive  Catrinel Menghia  

Train - Drive By (with lyrics) (HQ)

Train - Drive By (with lyrics) (HQ)

Lyrics: On the other side of a street I knew Stood a girl that looked like you I guess thats deja vu But I thought this can't be true Cause you moved to west LA or New York or Santa Fe Or where or ever to get away from me Oh but that one night Was more than just right I didn't leave you cause I was all through Oh I was overwhelmed and frankly scared as hell Because I really fell for you Oh I swear to you I'll be there for you This is not a drive by Just a shy guy looking for a two ply Hefty bag to hold my love When you move me everything is groovy They don't like it sue me mmm the way you do me Oh I swear to you I'll be there for you This is not a drive by On the upside of a downward spiral My love for you went viral And I loved you every mile you drove away But now here you are again So let's skip the "how you been"And get down to the "more than friends" at last Oh but that one night Is still the highlight I didn't need you until I came to and I was overwhelmed and frankly scared as hell Because I really fell for you Oh I swear to you I'll be there for you This is not a drive by Just a shy guy looking for a two ply Hefty bag to hold my love When you move me everything is groovy They don't like it sue me mmm the way you do me Oh I swear to you I'll be there for you This is not a drive by Please believe that when I leave There's nothing up my sleeve but love for you And a little time to get my head together too On the other side of a street I knew Stood a girl that looked ...

Drive-by Shooting  Train (band)  Drive By  Lyrics  

The impossible texting & driving test

The impossible texting & driving test

More and more traffic accidents are due to texting. If we want to reduce the 1.2 million traffic victims worldwide each year, we have to act. How do you convince youngsters not to text while driving? Prove them it is a very bad idea: oblige them to text while driving! See how Belgian learner drivers reacted when they were told they had to pass the mobile phone test in order to get their driver's license.

Responsible  Young  Drivers  RYD  

Dangerous Distracted Driver

Dangerous Distracted Driver

Josh is a driver with a speeding habit who likes to watch movies while driving. Can comedian Nick Stevens and the Driver Rehab team break him of his distracting habits in one day or will he continue to put the pedal to the metal? Subscribe! bit.ly Twitter: bit.ly Facebook: on.fb.me Terrible driving: It's an affliction so common, even some of your closest friends or family members probably suffer. But you can make a difference in the life of a bad driver by sending in video evidence of their driving disasters. If they're selected as candidates for rehabilitation, host Nick Stevens sets an ambush before turning them over to professional driving instructors. The instructors then work to transform them into world-class—or at least decent—drivers before we administer an advanced driving test. Pass or fail—there is no other option. Know a terrible driver? Send them to rehab: We'll ambush 'em, get them coached up, and give them a final exam. Connect To Nick Stevens: Twitter: twitter.com Tumblr: ahoynickstevens.tumblr.com Connect to Car and Driver: Twitter: bit.ly Facebook: on.fb.me Each week, the Car and Driver YouTube Channel will launch episodes of The Full Hoon, Driver Rehab, Battle of the Beaters, Car and Driver: Tested, Popular Mechanics Saturday Mechanic, and Road & Track Presents.

Driver Rehab  Auto  Driver  Car and Driver  

India Driving

India Driving

A very funny look at how people drive in india. The rules are quite different there. Watch the white car in the top center going against traffic.

india  driving  funny  trip  

Driving JWOW

Driving JWOW

On this episode of Miss Hannah Minx's Japanese Word of the Week (JWOW), our word is "untensuru," meaning, "to drive." Leave a video response or comment talking about what you drive! ^_^ Check out the BONUS lesson for this video: www.youtube.com Check out the new Drive YouTube channel! pubads.g.doubleclick.net Follow Miss Hannah Minx on Facebook and Twitter!! twitter.com www.facebook.com

misshannahminx  minxy  Hannah Minx  kawaii  

Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan (Audio Described)

Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan (Audio Described)

This video is audio described for the visually-impaired. The original version can be found here: youtu.be We announced our self-driving car project in 2010 to make driving safer, more enjoyable, and more efficient. Having safely completed over 200000 miles of computer-led driving, we wanted to share one of our favorite moments. Here's Steve, who joined us for a special drive on a carefully programmed route to experience being behind the wheel in a whole new way. We organized this test as a technical experiment, but we think it's also a promising look at what autonomous technology may one day deliver if rigorous technology and safety standards can be met. Music: The Album Leaf - "We Need Help"

Self-Driving Car  Google  Cars  Autonomous Technology  

Incubus - Drive

Incubus - Drive

Music video by Incubus performing Drive. (C) 2000 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Incubus  Epic/Immortal  Alternative