Driving in Urban Traffic Chapter 9 Driving in Urban Traffic

Traffic Complexity Traffic is more ___________ in urban areas City traffic hazards are ___________ to you than they are in rural areas.

Following and Meeting Traffic

3-Second Following Distance To determine a 3-second following distance, start counting as the rear of the car ahead passes your fixed check point. * Increase distance under adverse conditions.

Looking beyond the vehicle ahead Look ______, ______ and ______ the vehicle you are following What can we be looking for? Always try to ______what the driver ahead is likely to do.

Areas of sudden Stops ______where drivers may have to stop for traffic or pedestrians Lanes next to ______vehicles Business driveways with ______volume traffic.

What if we are being tailgated? Move slightly to the ______so the tailgater can see better. Signal ______for turns, stops, and lane changes. Flash your ______. In extreme situations, change ______, or pull out of ______to avoid the tailgater.

Reasons for Crossing the Center Line Driver ______ Driver might be drowsy, distracted, confused, intoxicated or ill. ______Judgment Driver might misjudge speed, distance, or position. ______visibility Direct sunlight, blinding headlights, or bad weather.

Crossing the center line con’t ______Space Snow bank, narrow bridge, or other objects. Sudden ______by others Children, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, a vehicle door opens Vehicle ______ Drive might loose control because of vehicle failure

Crossing the center line con’t Turning ______& ______ Longer vehicles need extra room to make a normal turn ______-parked vehicles Drivers or delivery trucks may park carelessly

If a vehicle comes at you… Slow down until the other driver can return to their lane. Turn on or ______your headlights and blow your ______. If your right front zone is open; move as far to the ______to try to give the other driver room to pass.

Looking ahead while staying back… Look at least a ______away and/or ______seconds. If behind a truck maintain a ______second or more second following distance.

Covering the Brake… Taking your foot off the accelerator, and hold it ______the brake pedal. Use this when you see ______conflict. Could cut ______time down.

Adjusting Speed in cities Drive ______traffic flow Stay ______the speed limit Adjust ______and position ahead of time for other driver who might block your way

Selecting the Best Lane Select the lane with the ______number of hazards. ______is usually faster, but can be held up by drivers waiting to turn left. Right moves slower, because of people slowing down to make turns

Changing lanes Use your mirrors to check traffic in your rear zones. Signal your lane change early Quickly check your blind spot area Change lanes without slowing Cancel your signal.

Identifying one-way streets ______signs are posted on most one-way streets All moving and parked vehicles point in the ______direction ______broken white lines are used to separate lanes. Signs will be facing the ______direction.

Signaling wrong-way drivers ______ Steer ______ Sound ______ ______headlights