1 Reference Points for Precise Vehicle Placement Reference Points for Precise Vehicle Placement Shelton School District ESD 113 Traffic Safety Shelton.

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Reference Points for

Precise Vehicle Placement

Reference Points for

Precise Vehicle Placement

Shelton School DistrictESD 113

Traffic Safety

Shelton School DistrictESD 113

Traffic Safety

Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum

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Why Reference Points Are NeededWhy Reference Points Are Needed

How wide is a car?5 – 6 feet wide.

How wide is a lane?9 – 14 feet wide.

Generally a lane is twice as wide as a car!

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Vehicle Blind Areas Vehicle Blind Areas

The body of the car blocks the driver's view of the roadway

One car length to the front Two car lengths to the rear One car width to the left Two car widths to the right

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The Optical IllusionThe Optical Illusion Drivers cannot see the actual position of the

vehicle on the roadway. Blind Area creates an optical illusion that makes

the vehicle seem larger than it really is.

Reference Points Help Drivers Overcome This Problem

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Reference Points DefinedReference Points Defined

A Reference Point is a place on the vehicle that relates to some part of the roadway

Used for precision vehicle placement

Reference: Mottola, F. R. (1997). “Empower Yourself with Zone Control Driving”

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Advantages of Reference Points

Advantages of Reference Points

Helps to overcome the optical illusion caused by the body of the vehicle blocking the drivers view of the operating space.

Allows for accurate lane position adjustments.

Allows drivers to confidently maneuver

in confined places.

The reference points for one vehicle can be applied to any vehicle.

Helps to overcome the optical illusion caused by the body of the vehicle blocking the drivers view of the operating space.

Allows for accurate lane position adjustments.

Allows drivers to confidently maneuver

in confined places.

The reference points for one vehicle can be applied to any vehicle.

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Right Side Limit3-6 inches away from a line or curb

Right Side Limit3-6 inches away from a line or curb

Used when positioning vehicle on the right edge of the lane, Lane position 3, and parkingUsed when positioning vehicle on the right edge of the lane, Lane position 3, and parking

Standard Reference Point: Center of the hood.

The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line up with the center of the hood.

Standard Reference Point: Center of the hood.

The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line up with the center of the hood.

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Where are the right side tires in relationship to the curb?

A. In the grassB. A foot to the left of the curb C. Just to the left of the curb

Where are the right side tires in relationship to the curb?

A. In the grassB. A foot to the left of the curb C. Just to the left of the curb

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Front LimitFront Limit

The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line up underthe side mirror or with the

corner post.

The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line up underthe side mirror or with the

corner post.

Standard Reference Point:Corner post or side mirror. Standard Reference Point:Corner post or side mirror.

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Front LimitFront LimitFront LimitFront Limit

The curb line it appears to line up with the outside rear view mirror or corner post.

The curb line it appears to line up with the outside rear view mirror or corner post.

How it is used? • Precision legal stop: When you are at intersections• Safety Stop to get a clear line-of-sight• When you are perpendicular parking

How it is used? • Precision legal stop: When you are at intersections• Safety Stop to get a clear line-of-sight• When you are perpendicular parking

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Where is the front bumper in relationship to the white line?

A. Well beyond the line, penetrating the traffic laneB. Just over the line C. Just before the line

Where is the front bumper in relationship to the white line?

A. Well beyond the line, penetrating the traffic laneB. Just over the line C. Just before the line

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Lane Position OptionsLane Position OptionsLane Position OptionsLane Position Options

Lane positions 4 and 5 Straddling the line to avoid a problemLane positions 4 and 5 Straddling the line to avoid a problem

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Where is the rear bumper in relationship to the yellow line?

A. Well beyond the lineB. Just over the line C. Just before the line

Where is the rear bumper in relationship to the yellow line?

A. Well beyond the lineB. Just over the line C. Just before the line

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Rear LimitRear Limit

The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line up one foot behind the door post or

the middle of the rear side window

The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line up one foot behind the door post or

the middle of the rear side window

Standard Reference Point:1 foot behind the door post or the middle of the rear side

window.

Standard Reference Point:1 foot behind the door post or the middle of the rear side

window.

Used when backing to

stop before a line,

curb, sidewalk or wall.

Used when backing to

stop before a line,

curb, sidewalk or wall.

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Review Standard Reference Points

Review Standard Reference Points

Center of the Hood Right Side Limit

Corner Post or Side Mirror Front Limit

Rear Corner Post or Blind spot, directly above the center of the rear tire Pivot Point for Backing Turns

Center of the Hood Right Side Limit

Corner Post or Side Mirror Front Limit

Rear Corner Post or Blind spot, directly above the center of the rear tire Pivot Point for Backing Turns