Chapter 14:
Additional Safety Tips
Texas Driver Handbook
Steering Lock Operation
Vehicles have various systems used to remove the key from the ignition. Some ignitions automatically lock the steering wheel if the
key is removed while moving. Here are some common steering wheel lock systems with a description on how to remove the key.
Table 40: Steering Wheel Lock Parking Systems
Type of Parking
System
Description
Transmission park system
Shift the transmission into the park position. Turn the key to lock then remove the key.
Two hand button system
This system requires two hands. Depress the button below the steering column. Turn the key to lock then
remove the key.
Lever system
Depress the lever located near the ignition. Turn the key to lock then remove the key.
One hand button system
Depress the button located near the ignition. Turn the key to lock then remove the key.
Push in system
Turn the key to off and push in. Turn the key to lock then remove the key.
Turn and remove system
Turn the key to lock then remove the key.
Source: 1992 Automobile Safety Foundation
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Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
Texas Driver Handbook
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
- A -
acceleration lane – a lane that permits drivers entering a highway to accelerate to the speed of traffic
aggressive driving – the behavior of driving in a combative, forceful, or competitive manner
angle parking – the vehicle is parked diagonally to the curb
auto cycle – an autocycle constitutes a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is:
1. designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground
2. equipped with a steering wheel
3. equipped with seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride the seat; and
4. manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle
An autocycle can be operated under a Class C driver license
- B -
backup lights – white lights at the rear of the vehicle telling other drivers you are backing up
basic speed law – you may not drive faster than is safe and prudent
for existing conditions, regardless of posted speed limits
bicycle – every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is more than
14 inches in diameter
blind spot – an area rearview mirrors cannot show
blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) – the amount of alcohol in the blood expressed as a percentage of ethyl alcohol related to the volume
of fluids in the bloodstream
blowout – the sudden loss of tire air pressure while driving
bodily-injury insurance – covers the driver who is at fault against claims
braking distance – the distance a vehicle travels from the time brakes are applied until it stops
- C -
cancellation – the withdrawal of a driver license or privilege until the driver is qualified or eligible
carbon monoxide – colorless, odorless, tasteless gas contained in the exhaust
fumes of gasoline engines
center of gravity – point around which the vehicle’s weight is evenly distributed
central vision – the field of vision around your focal vision in which you can see clearly while looking straight ahead that aids in determin-
ing vehicle position to the road
clutch pedal – the pedal in a manual transmission vehicle that enables a driver to shift gears
collision – contact between two or more objects, as when two vehicles collide into each other
collision insurance – provides insurance coverage to pay the costs of repair or replacement of your vehicle involved in a collision
color-blindness – inability to distinguish colors
commercial motor vehicle –a vehicle used to transport/deliver goods or passengers for compensation between points on a fixed scheduled
route. The vehicle:
1. has a gross combination weight or gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a gross
vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
2. has a gross vehicle weight or a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds;
3. is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver or
4. is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. part 172, Subpart F.
comprehensive insurance – provides coverage for replacement or repair of your vehicle from damage other than from a collision
controlled-access highway – a highway where vehicles can enter and exit only at interchanges
controlled braking – reducing speed by firmly stepping on and squeezing the brake pedal and maintaining steering control of the vehicle
controlled intersection – the intersection at which signals or signs determine the right of way
controlled railroad crossing – railroad crossing controlled by flashing red lights and/or crossing gates
crossbuck – large white X-shaped sign located prior to a railroad crossing
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Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
Texas Driver Handbook
- D -
deceleration lane – expressway lane used to slow your vehicle without blocking vehicles behind you
defensive driving – protecting yourself and others from dangerous and unexpected driving situations by using a space management system
delayed green light – indicates one side of the intersection has a green light while the light for oncoming traffic remains red
denial – the withholding of a driver license or privilege because the person is ineligible for a license. A driver license may be issued when
eligibility requirements are met.
depressant – a drug or alcohol that slows the response of the central nervous system
depth perception – the ability to judge distance between yourself and other objects
designated driver – the person who decides ahead of time not to drink alcoholic beverages and is appointed to drive others who do drink
distractions – when a driver is delayed in the recognition of information needed to accomplish the driving task safely because some event, ac-
tivity, object, or person within or outside the vehicle compelled or tended to induce the driver’s shifting attention away from the driving task
drag race – the operation of:
1. Two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other; or
2. One or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same place to the same place, for the purpose of comparing speeds
or power of acceleration of the vehicle(s) in a specified distance of time
driving under the influence (DUI) – a Class C misdemeanor for which a minor can be charged in Texas if driving with any detectable
amount of alcohol in the minor’s system (An offense for which a driver can be charged in some states if the driver’s blood-alcohol con-
centration is above 0.05.)
driving while intoxicated (DWI) – an offense for which a driver can be charged in all states if the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration
is above a certain level
- E -
entrance ramp – a ramp leading onto a highway
exit ramp – a ramp leading off a highway
- F -
field of vision – all the area a person can see while looking straight ahead.
field sobriety test – series of on-the-spot, road-side tests that help an officer detect impairment of a driver suspected of DUI or DWI.
financial responsibility law – a law requiring you to prove you can pay for collision damages you cause that result in death, injury, or
property damage
flashing signal – traffic signal alerting drivers to dangerous conditions or tells them to stop
focus vision (fovial) – the part of the vision field which allows the driver to read signs and make distinctions between vehicles and objects
often measured as visual acuity
following interval – the time recommended to follow another vehicle in the intended path of travel. Select an object near the road surface.
When the vehicle ahead passes that object, start counting one thousand-one, one thousand-two, etc., until the front of your car reaches the
same object. For speeds under 30 mph, the minimum time with good road conditions is 2 seconds. For speeds above 30 mph, maintain 4
seconds (more for adverse conditions) of following time. Developing a four-second following interval is the best practice for a beginning
or less experienced driver
force of impact – the force with which one moving object hits another object; this varies according to speed, weight, and distance between
impact and stop, and is based on forces of inertia and momentum
friction – the force creating heat which helps the tire
maintain traction on the road, unless too much heat is generated which may cause
traction loss due to melting of tire rubber on the road
- G -
gap – time or distance interval between vehicles on road
glare recovery time – the time your eyes need to regain clear vision after being affected by bright lights
glare resistance – the ability to continue seeing when looking at bright lights
graduated driver license program – requires young drivers to progress through a series of licensing stages with various restrictions such
as accompanying drivers, times permitted to drive, and allowable passengers
guide sign – a sign providing directions, distances,
services, points of interest, or other information
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