Page 14 - Final GA Parent Teen Driving Guide Updated August 2021

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SESSIONS 6 7

Backing • check all areas behind the vehicle prior to
and while backing;
Repeat the tasks listed in sessions 3-5 with • pivot the heel, place the right foot on the
the vehicle in reverse gear at idle or slow speeds. brake, and shift to reverse;
Backing from one target to another allows your
teen to practice seeing, steering, and speed • grasp the steering wheel at 12 o’clock with
control skills with the vehicle in reverse gear. the left hand;
Switch places with your teen to demonstrate • look over right shoulder through the back
each backing task.
window;
One-Hand Steering • use the brake and accelerator effectively for Rear
speed control; and Limitation
Movement of the steering wheel with one
hand is recommended only for backing maneu- • make frequent quick checks to the front and
vers that do not require full left or right turns. stop at a designated line.
Backing and steering with one hand requires
shifting one’s hips and seating position so the To practice backing and turning the vehicle, window when looking over the right shoulder.
driver’s head can be turned to see beyond the have your teen: Have the teen get out of the car to see whether
head restraint. One loses depth perception when • grasp the steering wheel at 12 o’clock with the rear bumper is 3-6 inches from the designat-
using the mirrors to guide the vehicle when the right hand if turning to the left, or with ed line. Adjust the vehicle’s position as needed,
backing. To improve balance, the driver’s right the left hand if turning to the right; and reestablish the rear side window reference
arm can be draped over the back of the seat. The point from the inside of the car.
left hand grips the steering wheel near the top • look in the direction you are moving through To align the rear bumper 3 feet from a curb
and turns it in the direction the driver wants the rear side windows; when backing around a corner to the right, the
the vehicle to go. Sharp turns while backing • keep speed slow using brake and accelerator driver looks over the right shoulder and should
may require use of both hands. Since it is more effectively for speed control; and see the curb in the rear side window near the
difficult to maintain steering control and vehicle corner roof.
balance when the vehicle is in reverse, empha- • make quick checks to the front and sides. When backing around a corner to the left, the
size backing at slow speeds. Reverse is a more Rear Bumper Reference Points pivot point is the center of the rear axle between
powerful gear than drive, so coach your teen your rear tires. To establish a three-foot pivot
to use the accelerator pedal carefully, if at all. To align the rear bumper 3-6 inches from a point, the driver looks over the left shoulder
To practice backing the vehicle in a straight line or curb, the driver should stop when the line and aligns the corner of the turn with the rear
line, have your teen: or curb appears near the middle of the rear right left tire.

HIGHWAY ENFORCEMENT
OF AGGRESSIVE TRAFFIC

13 2021-2022 GEORGIA 40-HOUR PARENT/TEEN DRIVING GUIDE