The operation of a motor vehicle can be defined as "activity status" that requires a great capacity to adapt to these situations, which are constantly changing and often in very short time.
So when we (...)
The attitude is the way to be someone willing to behave or act. The attitude in driving when considered intelligent activity is related to the behavior behind the wheel. The reason why this is so important (...)
Keeping children safe in a vehicle is a responsibility of parents. Knowing how and where to put the chairs and children is fundamental for safe transfer of children.
According to the Foundation Mapfre the (...)
In intelligent driver training, in addition to technical mastery of the wheel the influence of the emotional must also be considered.
Why do we believe we drive well and others do it badly?
If the (...)
In most Western countries licenses are granted to new drivers from 17 or 18 years, assuming that at that age a young man acquires the skills necessary for developing a complex activity as driving.
But not (...)
When children travel in a car, we must take certain measures to ensure safe transport. Overconfidence can be our worst enemy to all types of situations: at home, in the office, in the street and also in (...)
There is a close relationship between health (including psychics) and road safety. We talked about the relationship between anxiety and our performance as drivers, and as immediate consequence the close (...)
According to the RAE fatigue is the "fatigue experienced after an intense and sustained physical or mental effort." And drowsiness is the "heaviness and torpor of the senses motivated by the dream." (...)
Temperature extremes in the environment can cause problems with the driver and the vehicle and knowledge about these conditions allows us to act preventively.
We have discussed the consequences of cold (...)
Heat, like cold weather, can cause problems in vehicles. We will see now some recommendations to pay attention to in summer, especially before going on holiday.
Recommendations for your vehicle in the (...)
The task with which we are every day, when we get into the vehicle and begin our journey requires a large number of increasingly complex skills. The number of vehicles on all roads has increased (...)
Getting old is inevitable and everyone experiences it differently. In fact, lots of people are able to drive when they are 70, 80 and even older. However, experience shows that some elderly are more (...)
Driving is one of the mostly frequented psycho motor activities carried out in the western part of the world. Since the car was created and its usage as a daily means of transport, people’s lives have been (...)
When holidays come, the close relationship between driving, alcohol drinking and traffic accidents is emphasized. There is clear evidence that show how drinking alcohol affects negatively skills such as (...)
A group of English scientists specialized in driving studies determined an important difference between the various errors committed while driving. They divide them the following way:
Potentially (...)
The latest progress achieved by the specialists in cognitive functions have led to a better understanding of the mind functioning and the people behavior. Some involved aspects of this process, such as the (...)
These days rage, aggressiveness, violent reactions are common on the roads, and various studies say they tend to increase. These habits, acquired during childhood learnt while kids go at the back seat, are (...)
As numerous investigations point out (Boyce and Dax, Groeger, Sweeny, etc.), driving vehicles is closely related to intelligence because the learning process, as the environment and the instructor does, (...)
A large part of the Latin America cities are extremely noisy. A report prepared by the World Health Organization in 2003 places Buenos Aires at the noisiest city of the region. Driving its streets affects (...)
Cyclists are also part of the transport system; they transit urban streets and far away routes. By means of Intelligent Driving we can build a safe system, as these tips below:
Advice for car drivers:
+ (...)
We have explained in previous editions the perception phenomenon and the attention mechanisms, clearing up the important relationship this processes have with driving, defined as a complex psychomotor (...)
When we talk about fatigue while driving we refer to feeling tired, a perdurable agitation state similar to exhaustion that does not easily go away. Fatigue is usually thought to be related to falling (...)
We have previously said that driving a vehicle means more than just moving the steering wheel and pressing pedals, even when physical demands are few. A teenager and a superior mammal -like some kind of (...)
Using cell phones
Distraction represents between 30 and 40 percentage of the accidents, according to different studies done in Holland, England and Spain. One of the most common ways of distraction is by (...)
How to cross safely?
Crossing junctions is one of the main collision causes. Here some recommendations to cross safely:
At joints, where all streets or none have a STOP sign, the vehicle that arrives (...)
One of the definitions of Psychology is to consider it as a science that studies the mind. It works with what is seen from the individual, his behaviors and responses, which is why this discipline is (...)
Usually, our behavior is governed by rules and laws that regulate situations and the environment we live in. From a psychological aspect, various analyses indicate that we drive under the influence of two (...)
To continue with some of the mistaken beliefs that work like mythologies and condition our driving behaviors, we will deal with another popular belief, deeply rooted in Latin countries, which states that (...)
There is a close relationship between beliefs and behaviour. Any belief can determine a type of behaviour related to that belief. We must pay attention to our thoughts, they influence our way of driving. (...)
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations that help us to stay focused or react cautiously in scenarios that demand us to be alert. When anxiety is excessive, whether it’s caused by internal or (...)
Driving psychology is a new discipline that comes to answer the society’s necessity of controlling the consequences of the growing number of vehicles. The increasing traffic accidents and all kinds of costs (...)
An automobile works when its commands are operated by a series of sequential and coordinated movements. However, due to the fact that they are produced by the person who drives, interacting in an (...)
Drowsiness, alcohol and drugs affect our perception. The most serious consequence of driving under a no lucidity state is the modification in the neuronal processing, which distorts our perceptions of (...)
While all the perceptual mechanisms are teachable and trainable, learning to drive depends not only on perception, but also on other factors such as motivation, attention and memory.
We can hardly (...)
Among the advances that automakers provided through the prototypes in the quest to prevent accidents, we find an interesting technological development that identifies and prevents drivers drive when they (...)
Sight is the main sense that we use as drivers, but what interest can move to study visual perception? To appreciate this, consider for a moment, could we drive without seeing?
While satisfying our (...)
Pain is one of the most common reasons why we usually ask for help from a doctor. When that pain is permanent and becomes chronic, it is defined as the unpleasant feeling that lasts longer than the natural (...)
There is a close relationship between health (including psychics) and road safety. We talked about the relationship between anxiety and our performance as drivers, and as immediate consequence the close (...)
We all know that driving under the influence of alcohol is to be a risky practice that causes accidents. But until now, little has been said about the effects that lead in a state of "hangover", meaning (...)
Temperature extremes in the environment can cause problems with the driver and the vehicle and knowledge about these conditions allows us to act preventively.
We have discussed the consequences of cold (...)
Heat, like cold weather, can cause problems in vehicles. We will see now some recommendations to pay attention to in summer, especially before going on holiday.
Recommendations for your vehicle in the (...)
Since the inception of the automobile as mass transportation, health checks of drivers have become increasingly rigorous. Initially, only the physical health of drivers was examined, based mainly on (...)
We have heard different effects and consequences caused by alcohol when driving. There have been publicity campaigns, public awareness by communitarian organizations, young groups and reflection workshops (...)
On previous issues we have said that some physical conditions can affect the driver’s performance. Among these, diabetes is one of them. If diabetes is not correctly treated, it can cause different health (...)
Getting old is inevitable and everyone experiences it differently. In fact, lots of people are able to drive when they are 70, 80 and even older. However, experience shows that some elderly are more (...)
When holidays come, the close relationship between driving, alcohol drinking and traffic accidents is emphasized. There is clear evidence that show how drinking alcohol affects negatively skills such as (...)
Driving is a complex psychophysical activity that requires a an optimum driver condition. Among various factors that may alter his performance, some medical conditions (chronic or acute) are potential (...)
These days rage, aggressiveness, violent reactions are common on the roads, and various studies say they tend to increase. These habits, acquired during childhood learnt while kids go at the back seat, are (...)
During the last decade, the psychopharmaceutical tablets usage commonly known as antidepressants has risen in a substantial way worldwide. It is estimated that near a 10% of the world’s population takes (...)
A large part of the Latin America cities are extremely noisy. A report prepared by the World Health Organization in 2003 places Buenos Aires at the noisiest city of the region. Driving its streets affects (...)
When we talk about fatigue while driving we refer to feeling tired, a perdurable agitation state similar to exhaustion that does not easily go away. Fatigue is usually thought to be related to falling (...)
There is a close relationship between beliefs and behaviour. Any belief can determine a type of behaviour related to that belief. We must pay attention to our thoughts, they influence our way of driving. (...)
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations that help us to stay focused or react cautiously in scenarios that demand us to be alert. When anxiety is excessive, whether it’s caused by internal or (...)
Drowsiness, alcohol and drugs affect our perception. The most serious consequence of driving under a no lucidity state is the modification in the neuronal processing, which distorts our perceptions of (...)
We have known the characteristics of disc brakes. Let’s use some common faults with which we can find:
Crystallization
The disk is crystallized due to braking, the friction material of the disc with the (...)
Vacations are here! For two or three months there will be many trips to the length and breadth of our roads, so this time assumed a new importance for some tips, which are classics but should be considered (...)
We continue with the operation of the components of air brakes. Pay attention to signs that indicate flaws in this system:
It is important that the compressor ((controller)) functions properly, that (...)
In the previous installment we begin to analyze the air brake systems. The reader will have noticed that these systems consist of a large number of components and therefore require a comprehensive level of (...)
At present day windshield wipers consist of two main parts: electric and mechanic. Among the first, there is an engine, cables, commands and the electric components that are related to them (timers, rain (...)
On previous issues we have dealt with the fluids that are in vehicles. Having in mind why level and condition of fluids should be checked periodically, now we will mention what fluids are and their main (...)
The vehicle elements wear away and get damaged within time, the electric wiring is no exception. Strictly speaking, a flaw in any part of the wiring can produce various damages, such as a light stopping (...)
Going to a repair shop and not knowing what is happening with the vehicle clutch is a bad experience. Let’s see how some clutch flaws appear in a mechanism with cable, which helps us know when we need to (...)
Transmission systems are designed to supports big loads and high torsion resistance. The current quality levels cause that the failures are only related to a bad usage or an inadequate maintenance, and can (...)
Advice for drivers 1 Avoid using brakes excessively, throughout extended or repeated times. These might produce a performance loss originated by high temperatures. Some experts sustain that "the less we (...)
For heavy and light vehicles with four cycle internal combustion engines, petrol or diesel, it’s recommended to check the exhaust gases colour; they can be a flaw indicator. When they are not almost (...)
It is important to learn the shock absorbers functioning and some tips of their maintenance, as they are a vehicle safety element. The shock absorbers integrate the light and heavy vehicle’s suspension (...)
More advices to maintain and to use correctly the coupling system:
+ Don’t use common greases as lubricants. They don’t work for open mechanisms, because they stick to dust, sand, etc., which turn them (...)
Trucks whose loads are wrongly balanced are dangerous to be driven. It’s imperative to bear in mind these advices, because load placed incorrectly is an important accident and overturn cause.
+ When the (...)
How to become aware of this: When the sidelight goes on or the temperature indicator is on the red area, they tell us that the engine is overheated. It’s advisable to park in a safe place as soon as (...)
Choosing the right tire is not something trivial. Market offers a big number of manufacturers that present tires for all kind of vehicles. However, if the basic knowledge to choose the right tire is (...)
In our previous article we discuss the advantages in the curves in relation to a car. Its technical design and shape give greater flexibility to bend at a speed that a car would be compromised. This is due (...)
Wind is air movement that is present in the atmosphere produced by natural causes. The highest record wind speed on land is the Mount Washington in New Hampshire (United States), with 372 km / h, while in (...)
In previous issues we have seen the consequences of inertia and kinetic energy, and also how to minimize them. But not all effects are negative. If we know them and other phenomena, this helps vehicles to (...)
In previous issues, we have mentioned some well known concepts as inertia, kinetic energy and fictitious forces.
If we mix these concepts, we have a vehicle that moves at an uniform speed, inside it there (...)
Some physical phenomena are difficult to understand if we compare their real behavior with what we can imagine by intuition. Inertia is one of them and it is important to know its intervention in all kinds (...)
Sciences are not interesting for everyone, but thanks to it our society progressed. It is not only used to design and construct a vehicle, it also helps to reach a safer, trustable, efficient and (...)
We think this is important, that is why we repeat it: keeping the safety distance saves lives. Intelligent driving proclaims this.
It is almost unbelievable that something so simple is the accidents (...)
All physical explanations we have seen till now are valid for any type of vehicle, although there are special considerations that must be taken into consideration for motorcycles. One of the most important (...)
On previous issues, we have analyzed the vehicle forces that act on it, while on the 46th we used those concepts to a sinuous road case. This time, we will focus on what happens specifically when we turn (...)
It is almost impossible to resume in a few lines the physical phenomena that intervene during the vehicle’s movement. They are a few and in some cases, their complexity demand more space to talk about them. (...)
Few settings are as important in an alternative internal combustion engine as is the torque it can deliver. But what is the torque to be practical for the management? To answer that question properly we (...)
It’s important for light and vital for heavy vehicles to admit the personal and vehicle limits before driving through positive (descending) or negative (ascending) slopes.
When climate conditions are (...)
Trailers that weigh more than 750 kg must count with overspeed brakes. When a light vehicle carries a trailer, this kind of brakes are important for their safety, because if the tractor brakes using only (...)
Braking techniques introduction:
Knowing how to brake properly is a vital fact for intelligent driving. In technological terms, in order to brake efficiently we need to be familiar with the vehicle’s main (...)
The aim of this paper is to induce the driver to a safe and efficient operation of the gear box, because when not used properly, it can cause premature mechanisms wear and even rupture.
In this issue we (...)
All motor vehicles driven on public roads have gearbox. It is useful to know why, without going into unnecessary technicalities and can summarize the answer in the following sentence: the gearbox is used (...)
The mechanics of operation is the necessary knowledge that drivers should have the vehicle they drive. This knowledge plays a fundamental role in our ability to perform properly and safely.
Today we will (...)
To fulfill its purpose of brake systems have to perform two basic functions:
The first is to convert the kinetic energy of any vehicle moving in another form of energy that causes the reduction of speed (...)
In moving forward with a vehicle, the movement causes an effect on the perception of depth that gives us a sense in which near objects are fast approaching, while distant are moving more slowly. This (...)
The air conditioning system is no longer considered like just a comfort device, because it has turned into an important safety device. In high temperature periods it’s the driver’s allied, because it reduces (...)
Besides of the own coupling system of a light vehicle with its trailer, it’s necessary to use safety chains. In case the main system fails, as in any safety mechanism, it’s mandatory to have an auxiliary (...)
For light vehicles that transport trailers, the IRAM rules establish different requirements:
+ The trailers must have low beam lights, directional indicators, stop lamps, license plate light, reversing (...)
All tires have a series of markings engraved on their constructive material in the sidewall that specify a lot of their characteristics.
What do these markings mean?
215: Tire’s width in milimetres. It’s (...)
We continue with the recommendations on how to maintain tires:
+ Try to avoid hitting or scraping tires with edges or other obstacles, because this can cause internal and structural non visible damage. (...)
The word tire comes from the Greek word Neumáticos, related to a lung for the air that carries. The main function in the car is to allow a proper adherence and friction with the road, making possible to (...)
+ Batteries should be kept clean and sulphate free, which is also highly corrosive and helps to discharge it because it’s electricity conductor.
+ When specific cleaning, to eliminate sulphate, use a hot (...)
How to become aware of this: When the sidelight goes on or the temperature indicator is on the red area, they tell us that the engine is overheated. It’s advisable to park in a safe place as soon as (...)
If the pilot light turns on or the engine’s temperature indicator is on the red danger zone, we can guess that the high temperature is caused by the lack of cooling liquid inside the circuit. But, when we (...)
In the previous installment we begin to analyze the air brake systems. The reader will have noticed that these systems consist of a large number of components and therefore require a comprehensive level of (...)
In competitive times, no charge may be neglected if we are to achieve commercial success. There are many costs faced by carriers and the cost of tires can be counted among the most important.
It is known (...)
Nowadays, heavy vehicles, specially tractor or chassis present added axis. The causes are a lack of control, breaking the in force legal rules, that clearly prohibit all kinds of modifications without body (...)
The even load distribution in heavy vehicles is an important factor in order to prevent problems. Also, to place the load efficiently, it depends on what type is it, because its characteristics determine (...)
More advices to maintain and to use correctly the coupling system:
+ Don’t use common greases as lubricants. They don’t work for open mechanisms, because they stick to dust, sand, etc., which turn them (...)
Most of the heavy vehicles driven through our streets and routes have air brakes. We should bear in mind that this kind of braking system functions with an additional delay.
This delay is produced because (...)
In order to obtain a good performance from the coupling system it’s advisable to:
+ Have the safety mechanism most important parts inspected, at least once a week or at each 5000 km. For this, uncouple the (...)
Always chose the best tire that fits your type of work, your vehicle, the kind of road, load, speed, etc. and use the advised by the manufacturer inflation pressure. Control this last item once a week and (...)
Trucks whose loads are wrongly balanced are dangerous to be driven. It’s imperative to bear in mind these advices, because load placed incorrectly is an important accident and overturn cause.
+ When the (...)
The work aimed at preventing car accidents comprise a series of actions and measures are taken to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of accidental events. At the moment we drive a car, the No. 1 rule is (...)
According to data from the International Energy Agency, every day is consumed 87.6 million barrels of oil, each barrel is equivalent to 158.99 liters and it is expected that demand will increase to 115 (...)
Among the advances that automakers provided through the prototypes in the quest to prevent accidents, we find an interesting technological development that identifies and prevents drivers drive when they (...)
After reading Respect the speed limits we can reflect on these ideas and understand why it is so difficult to enforce speed limits ... but everything is not lost.
So let’s talk about Intelligent Speed (...)
When driving through a town, crossing intersections of streets and avenues is where we have greater possibilities to participate in a crash or get hit by a passerby. While multiple factors make it happen, (...)
In moving forward with a vehicle, the movement causes an effect on the perception of depth that gives us a sense in which near objects are fast approaching, while distant are moving more slowly. This (...)
The next time you take your seat, buckle up and prepare for take-off, consider the real possibility that your pilot may have never flown that type of plane in the air before. Why is everyone so confident (...)
I recently observed a training session at a local CDL school. The trainer closely watched the student driver make his approach and prepare to back up between two trailers at loading dock number 14. It (...)
We must thank scale economy for its ability to bring near us objects that could only be reserved for a specific market niche. Till some time ago, if was even imposible to think that cars could have similar (...)
There are no doubts that the human being is intelligent, and among other things, is able to analyze a specific situation and act in consequence. But, is it enough by just affirming it is (...)
No one can deny that any technological advance means an improvement in life quality of life must be well received. However, many discoveries come with new responsibilities that are not always considered, (...)
Until the twenties vehicles had mechanical steering and where easy to drive. When heavy vehicles appeared, Francis Davis invented the first assisted steering, making driving easier.
Assisted steering (...)
The steering system is in charge of providing the front wheels the correct rotation by means of the driver’s action on the steering wheel, so the vehicle travels covers a desired path. The steering system (...)
ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program and is defined basically defined as an intelligent active safety program that by means of every second vehicles’ steering checks, it can detect sudden changes and (...)
Following with the advances showed in previous editions, we will introduce now the new vehicle lights characteristics.
New designs
In tune with the advances achieved for lamps, manufacturers have (...)
Thanks to the vehicles’ headlamps we can drive at night or with low visibility. Lighting systems maintenance is fundamental to drive safely in different climatic conditions and prevent glares.
Maintenance (...)
The importance of the engine’s torque when driving (1)