Driving

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Driving a convertible. Convertible Mercedes Car Driving On A Highway.jpg
Driving a convertible.

Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. Permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met and drivers are required to follow the established road and traffic laws in the location they are driving. The word driving, has etymology dating back to the 15th century and has developed as what driving has encompassed has changed from working animals in the 15th to automobiles in the 1800s. Driving skills have also developed since the 15th century with physical, mental and safety skills being required to drive. This evolution of the skills required to drive have been accompanied by the introduction of driving laws which relate to not only the driver but the driveability of a car.

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The term "driver" originated in the 15th century, referring to the occupation of driving working animals like pack or draft horses. It later applied to electric railway drivers in 1889 and motor-car drivers in 1896. The world's first long-distance road trip by automobile occurred in 1888 when Bertha Benz drove a Benz Patent-Motorwagen from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany. Driving requires both physical and mental skills, as well as an understanding of the rules of the road.

In many countries, drivers must pass practical and theoretical driving tests to obtain a driving license. Physical skills required for driving include proper hand placement, gear shifting, pedal operation, steering, braking, and operation of ancillary devices. Mental skills involve hazard awareness, decision-making, evasive maneuvering, and understanding vehicle dynamics. Distractions, altered states of consciousness, and certain medical conditions can impair a driver's mental skills.

Safety concerns in driving include poor road conditions, low visibility, texting while driving, speeding, impaired driving, sleep-deprived driving, and reckless driving. Laws regarding driving, driver licensing, and vehicle registration vary between jurisdictions. Most countries have laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Some countries impose annual renewals or point systems for driver's licenses to maintain road safety.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1.35 million people are killed each year in road traffic; it is the leading cause of death for people age 5 to 29. [1]

Etymology

The origin of the term driver, as recorded from the 15th century, refers to the occupation of driving working animals, especially pack horses or draft horses. The verb ' to drive ' in origin means "to force to move, to impel by physical force". It is first recorded of electric railway drivers in 1889 and of a motor-car driver in 1896. Early alternatives were motorneer, [2] motor-man, motor-driver or motorist. French favors "conducteur" (the English equivalent, " conductor ", being used—from the 1830s—not of the driver but of the person in charge of passengers and collecting fares), while German influenced areas adopted Fahrer (used of coach-drivers in the 18th century, but shortened about 1900 from the compound Kraftwagen Fahrer), and the verbs führen, lenken, steuern—all with a meaning "steer, guide, navigate"—translating to conduire.

Introduction of the automobile

In 1899, an automobile was driven to the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, for the first time Driving to top of Mt Washington 1899.jpg
In 1899, an automobile was driven to the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, for the first time

The world's first long-distance road trip by automobile was in August 1888 when Bertha Benz, wife of Benz Patent-Motorwagen inventor Karl Benz, drove 66 mi (106 km) Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, and returned, in the third experimental Benz motor car, which had a maximum speed of 10 mph (16 km/h), with her two teenage sons Richard and Eugen but without the consent and knowledge of her husband. [3] [4] [5] She had said she wanted to visit her mother, but also intended to generate publicity for her husband's invention, which had only been taken on short test drives before. [6]

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 to generate publicity for their automobile. [7] 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 much braking. [7]

Driving skills

Driving a bus in traffic. Bus driver (5171124305).jpg
Driving a bus in traffic.

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 ensures 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. [8]

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.

In some countries, a basic both practical and theoretical knowledge of the rules of the road is assessed with a driving test(s) and those who pass are issued with a driving license.

Physical skill

Control direction, acceleration, and deceleration.

A driver must have physical skills to be able to control direction, acceleration, and deceleration. For motor vehicles, the detailed tasks include: [9]

Mental skill

Observing the environment. Driving in a snowy condition can pose serious hazards. The snow affects the dynamics of the car. Hwy 11 Ontario Winter.JPG
Observing the environment. Driving in a snowy condition can pose serious hazards. The snow affects the dynamics of the car.

Avoiding or successfully handling an emergency driving situation can involve the following skills: [10]

Distracted driving. Distracted driving kills, keep your eyes and mind on the road 130417-M-RR352-002.jpg
Distracted driving.

Distractions can compromise a driver's mental skills, as can any altered state of consciousness. 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. [11] In the US "During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving according to the publication on the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Another survey indicated that music could adversely affect a driver's concentration." [12] [13] [14]

Seizure disorders and Alzheimer's disease are among the leading medical causes of mental impairment among drivers in the United States and Europe. [15] Whether or not physicians should be allowed, or even required, to report such conditions to state authorities, remains highly controversial. [15]

Safety

Safety is always the most important thing. Car Crash 7-1-18 2245 (42450608354).jpg
Safety is always the most important thing.

Safety issues in driving include:

Teenagers

There is a high rate of injury and death caused by motor vehicle accidents that involve teenage drivers. [16] There is evidence that the less teenagers drive, the risk of injury drops. [16] There is a lack of evidence as to whether educational interventions to promote active transport and share information about the risks, cost, and stresses involved with driving are effective at reducing or delaying car driving in the teenage years. [16]

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. [17]

Driving laws

Drivers are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are driving.

International conventions

Some jurisdictions submit to some or all of the requirements of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949. [18]

Additionally, the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals standardises road signs, traffic lights and road markings to improve safety.

Local driving laws

Driver's license from Spain. Spanish driving licenses use a point system Permiso de conducir plastificado.jpg
Driver's license from Spain. Spanish driving licenses use a point system

The rules of the road, driver licensing and vehicle registration schemes 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 while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Aggressive driving and road rage have become problems for drivers in some areas.

Some countries require annual renewal of the driver's license. This may require getting through another driving test or vision screening test to get recertified. [19] Also, some countries use a points system for the driver's license. Both techniques (annual renewal with tests, points system) may or may not improve road safety compared to when the driver is not continuously or annually evaluated. [20]

Ownership and insurance

Car ownership does not require a driver's license at all. As such, even with a withdrawn driver's license, former drivers are still legally allowed to possess a car and thus have access to it. In the USA, between 1993 and 1997 13.8% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes had no driver's license. [21]

In some countries (such as the UK), the car itself needs have a certificate that proves the vehicle is safe and roadworthy. Also, it needs to have a minimum of third party insurance. [22]

Driver training

Drivers may be required to take lessons with an approved driving instructor (or are strongly encouraged to) and may need to pass a driving test before being granted a license. Almost all countries allow all adults with good vision and health to apply to take a driving test and, if successful, to drive on public roads.

In many countries, even after passing one's driving test, new drivers are initially subject to special restrictions under graduated driver licensing rules. For example, in Australia, novice drivers are required to carry "P" ("provisional") plates, [23] while in New Zealand it is called restricted (R). [24] Many U.S. states now issue graduated drivers' licenses to novice minors. While graduated driver licensing rules vary between jurisdictions, typical restrictions include newly licensed minors not being permitted to drive or operate a motorized vehicle at night or with a passenger other than family members, zero blood alcohol, and limited power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle. [25]

Driving bans

It is possible for a driver to be suspended or disqualified (banned) from driving, either for a short time or permanently. This is usually in response to a serious traffic offence (for example, causing death due to drink driving), repeated minor traffic offences (for example, accruing too many demerit points for speeding), or for a specific medical condition which prevents driving, pending a future assessment (for example, a traumatic brain injury).

Some jurisdictions ban driving on certain days for vehicles with specific licence plate configurations. [26]

A few countries banned women driving in the past. In Oman, women were not allowed to drive until 1970. [27] In Saudi Arabia, women were not issued driving licenses until 2018. Saudi women had periodically staged driving protests against these restrictions and in September 2017, the Saudi government agreed to lift the ban, which went into effect in June 2018. [28]

Related Research Articles

Drunk driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle with the operator's ability to do so impaired as a result of alcohol consumption, or with a blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit. For drivers 21 years or older, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is illegal. For drivers under 21 years old, the legal limit is lower, with state limits ranging from 0.00 to 0.02. Lower BAC limits apply when operating boats, airplanes, or commercial vehicles. Among other names, the criminal offense of drunk driving may be called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI), operating [a] vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI), or operating while impaired (OWI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving under the influence</span> Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an impairing substance

Driving under the influence (DUI) is the offense of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, to a level that renders the driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. Multiple other terms are used for the offense in various jurisdictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moving violation</span> Violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion

A moving violation or traffic violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "moving" distinguishes it from other motor vehicle violations, such as paperwork violations, parking violations, or equipment violations. The United States Department of State makes reference to moving violations in its enforcement guidance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving test</span> Procedure to test a persons ability to drive a motor vehicle

A driving test is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is often a requirement to obtain a license to drive a vehicle independently. A driving test generally consists of one or two parts: the practical test, used to assess a person's driving ability under normal operating conditions, and a theory test to confirm a person's knowledge of driving and relevant rules and laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commercial driver's license</span> License to operate large or heavy vehicles

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles or a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials or more than 15 passengers.

Graduated driver licensing systems (GDLS) are designed to provide new drivers of motor vehicles with driving experience and skills gradually over time in low-risk environments. There are typically three steps or stages through which new drivers pass. They begin by acquiring a learner's permit, progress to a restricted, probationary or provisional license, followed by receipt of a full driver's license. Graduated drivers' licensing generally restricts nighttime, expressway, and unsupervised driving during initial stages, but lifts these restrictions with time and further testing of the individual, eventually concluding with the individual attaining a full driver's license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driver's education</span> Formal class or program that prepares a new driver for obtaining a license

Driver's education, driver education, driving education, driver's training, driver's ed, driving tuition or driving lessons is a formal class or program that prepares a new driver to obtain a learner's permit or driver's license. The formal class program may also prepare existing license holders for an overseas license conversion or medical assessment driving test or refresher course. It may take place in a classroom, in a vehicle, online, or a combination of the above. Topics of instruction include traffic code or laws and vehicle operation. Typically, instruction will warn of dangerous conditions in driving such as road conditions, driver impairments, and hazardous weather. Instructional videos may also be shown, demonstrating proper driving strategies and the consequences for not observing the rules.

A driver's permit, learner's permit, learner's license or provisional license is a restricted license that is given to a person who is learning to drive, but has not yet satisfied the prerequisite to obtain a driver's license. Having a learner's permit for a certain length of time is usually one of the requirements for applying for a full driver's license. To get a learner's permit, one must typically pass a written permit test, take a basic competency test in the vehicle, or both.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving in the United States</span>

86 percent of people in the United States use private automobiles as their primary form of transportation to their workplace.

In Canada, driver's licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. Thus, specific regulations relating to driver's licences vary province to province, though overall they are quite similar. All provinces have provisions allowing non-residents to use licences issued by other provinces and territories, out-of-country licences, and International Driving Permits. Many provinces also allow non-residents to use regular licences issued by other nations and countries. Canadian driver's licences are also valid in many other countries due to various international agreements and treaties.


In India, a driving licence is an official document that authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other roads to which the public has access. In various Indian states, they are administered by the Regional Transport Authorities/Offices (RTA/RTO). A driving licence is required in India by any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other road defined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This act sets limits on the minimum age for vehicle operation ranging from 16 to 20, depending on specific circumstances. A modern photo of the driving licence can also serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts, such as proof of identity or age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving licence in Russia</span>

The Russian Empire was one of the first countries to create a driving licence. Russia's first licences were issued in 1900 by Saint Petersburg authorities, and Russia joined an international convention in 1909. However, due to relatively small number of cars, the attempts to create a standardised Russian licence were rather sporadic and limited to major urban areas. No comprehensive system of driver licensing was present until 1936, when the Soviet government organised and standardised traffic and driving regulations, with the state-wide system regulated by specialised police authorities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving licence in Sweden</span> Overview of driving licences in Sweden

Swedish driving licences adhere to a standard set in the European Economic Area. 18 years is the minimum age to obtain a licence for cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic collision</span> Incident when a vehicle collides with another object

A traffic collision, also known as a motor vehicle collision, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Traffic collisions often result in injury, disability, death, and property damage as well as financial costs to both society and the individuals involved. Road transport is the most dangerous situation people deal with on a daily basis, but casualty figures from such incidents attract less media attention than other, less frequent types of tragedy. The commonly used term car accident is increasingly falling out of favor with many government departments and organizations, with the Associated Press style guide recommending caution before using the term. Some collisions are intentional vehicle-ramming attacks, staged crashes, vehicular homicide or vehicular suicide.

The laws of driving under the influence vary between countries. One difference is the acceptable limit of blood alcohol content before a person is charged with a crime. Thresholds range from the limit of detection (zero-tolerance) to 0.08%. Some countries have no limits or laws on blood alcohol content.

The correlation between old age and driving has been a notable topic for many years. In 2018, there were over 45 million licensed drivers in the United States over the age of 65—a 60% increase from 2000. Driving is said to help older adults stay mobile and independent, but as their age increases the risk of potentially injuring themselves or others significantly increases as well. In 2019, drivers 65 years and older accounted for 8,760 motor vehicle traffic deaths, and 205,691 non-fatal accidents. Due to their physical frailty, older drivers are more likely to be injured in an accident and more likely to die of that injury. When frailty is accounted for and older drivers are compared to younger persons driving the same amount the over-representation disappears. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a senior citizen is more likely than a younger driver to be at fault in an accident in which they are involved. The most common violations include: failure to obey traffic signals, unsafe turns and passing, and failure to yield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speed limits in the Philippines</span> Overview of speed limits in the Philippines

Speed limits in the Philippines are specified in Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines, which took effect on its approval on June 20, 1964. The act covers a number of areas other areas than speed limits, and was amended regarding some of those areas by Republic Act No. 10930, which was approved on August 2, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drunk driving</span> Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol

Drunk driving is the act of driving under the influence of alcohol. A small increase in the blood alcohol content increases the relative risk of a motor vehicle crash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driver's license</span> Document allowing one to drive a motorized vehicle

A driver's license, driving licence, or driving permit is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public road. Such licenses are often plastic and the size of a credit card.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving in India</span> Overview of driving in India

Driving in India is governed by various legal powers and in some cases is subject to the passing of a driving test. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to road transport, national highways and transport research, in order to increase the mobility and efficiency of the road transport system in India. Indian traffic drives on the left.

References

  1. ↑ World Health Organization (2018). Global status report on road safety 2018 (Report).
  2. ↑ Century Dictionary; (1891)
  3. ↑ "The First Road Trip" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  4. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Making of 'Carl & Bertha' (Film)" – via www.youtube.com.
  5. ↑ "GPS-Download Outbound Trip".
  6. ↑ The Car is Born , documentary
  7. 1 2 Jensen, Christopher (June 17, 2011). "Taming a Mountain Road With Horses and Cars". The New York Times. 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.
  8. ↑ "Driving in France for UK Drivers". Driving in Paris. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Getting moving". Driving Test Advice. Archived from the original on 2009-03-16.
  10. ↑ "Think driving is all about practical skills?". Easy to Drive. Archived from the original on 2008-01-17.
  11. ↑ 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-04-11.
  12. ↑ National Highway Traffic Safety Association. "Distracted Driving".
  13. ↑ "Distracted Driving | NHTSA". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  14. ↑ Hard-Rock and Classic Music Could Lead to Road Accidents, New Survey Says; Infoniac.com
  15. 1 2 Appel, Jacob (2009-06-01). "Must Physicians Report Impaired Driving? Rethinking a Duty on a Collision Course with Itself". The Journal of Clinical Ethics. 20 (2): 136–140. doi:10.1086/JCE200920204. ISSN   1046-7890. PMID   19554818. S2CID   43453501.
  16. 1 2 3 Ward, Aimee; Lewis, Sharon R.; Weiss, Harold (2020-08-16). "Mobility management to prevent, reduce, or delay driving a car in teenagers". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 (8): CD009438. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009438.pub2. ISSN   1469-493X. PMC   8094927 . PMID   32799320.
  17. ↑ "State of California Air Resources Board" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-10.
  18. ↑ "Geneva Convention on Road Traffic 1949" (PDF).
  19. ↑ "Assessing the fitness to drive". Mobility and transport - European Commission. October 17, 2016.
  20. ↑ Desapriya, E.; Wijeratne, H.; Subzwari, S.; Babul-Wellar, S.; Turcotte, K.; Rajabali, F.; Kinney, J.; Pike, I. (2011). Desapriya, Ediriweera (ed.). "Vision screening of older drivers for preventing road traffic injuries and fatalities". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (3): CD006252. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006252.pub3. PMID   21412894.
  21. ↑ Unlicensed to kill
  22. ↑ "Legal obligations of drivers and riders". GOV.UK.
  23. ↑ "Restrictions for L and P plate drivers – Keeping your licence – Your licence – GEARED". Geared – Transport for NSW. 16 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "Conditions and restrictions of a restricted licence". Driving Tests.
  25. ↑ "Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws". July 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  26. ↑ "Italy issues new rules for driving the Amalfi Coast".
  27. ↑ "Here's what Omani women say about Saudi lifting its ban on women drivers". Times of Oman. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  28. ↑ Hubbard, Ben (September 26, 2017). "Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive". The New York Times.

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