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Driving is the controlled operation of a vehicle, which is usually a motor vehicle such as a truck, bus, or car. Although direct operation of a bicycle, a mounted animal (not including chariot operation) or — at least in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada — a motorcycle is commonly called riding, such operators usually considered to be drivers by law since they are required to obey those rules of the road which apply to all drivers. Driving includes knowing how to operate the mechanisms which control the speed and direction (which in technical terminology are both components of the velocity), and the braking of the vehicle, and especially includes knowing how to do both safely. An experienced driver usually has an intuitive understanding of the basics of car handling.
Driving as a physical skill In terms of the basic physical tasks required, driving a motor vehicle generally involves: Driving as a survival skill Of course, driving is far more complicated than simply pressing pedals and turning the steering wheel; it also involves looking out for everyone (and everything) else on the road. The skill of safe driving is necessary to avoid collisions, which kill many thousands of people annually (see also car accident). Safe driving is much more than following the legally prescribed rules of the road. It goes beyond that into the cultivation of good habits, maintaining attention, and a thoughtful, cooperative attitude that help to avoid and prevent accidents. This is often described as defensive driving. Driving laws
Minimum motorist ages The minimum age required to be a motorist varies depending on the country. The most common age is 18. Here are the ages required in some countries (in alphabetical order), note that some regions of the countries may start at a different age than other regions, this is just the minimum age requirement to drive: Enforcement of driving-related laws Each country has its own unique way of dividing up the responsibility for enforcing all the laws mentioned above. In nearly all countries, though, the laws controlling driving in practice (like speed limits) are enforced by the police, who are in the best position to identify violations as they occur and to issue citations or make arrests. Some countries, like Australia, prefer to put everything road-related into a single agency at the state level. Thus, in the Australian state of New South Wales, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is responsible for driver licensing; highway construction, maintenance, and patrol; and many other things. Policing on Australian roads is provided by the relevant state police. In contrast, in the United States, many U.S. state governments have a Department of Transportation that handles road construction and maintenance (subject to some guidance from the federal Department of Transportation), and a separate Department of Motor Vehicles that handles driver licensing and vehicle registration. There is usually a state police agency (called the Highway Patrol or Department of Public Safety) which enforces driving laws on state highways. On local roads, driving laws are enforced by county sheriff's departments or city police departments. In many jurisdictions, bicycles are legally considered to be vehicles and cyclists are legally classified as drivers. The use of bicycles is rarely subject to licensing. However, some municipalities require permits for bicycles. The Three As of Safe Driving Alignment--stay squarely in your lane and be eminently predictable to other drivers. Altitude--high aim regarding your line of vision and see as far ahead as your reasonably can. Appreciation--appreciate the safe, reasonable actions of the majority of your fellow drivers rather than allowing yourself to be distracted by the actions of a few. See also | ||||||||||
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