Traffic Signals Steady lights Red –stop and remain stopped as long as the signal is red Yellow - a steady yellow light or arrow indicates that the light is about to change Clear the intersection Green – go IF the way is clear

Traffic Signals Flashing Lights Flashing Red STOP before entering the intersection Flashing Yellow - Caution dangerous intersection

Traffic Signals Arrows You may proceed in the direction of the green arrow You may NOT proceed in the direction of the red arrow

Testing Your Knowledge When this traffic light is RED STOP and remain stopped until the light changes Slow down and proceed with caution Yield to traffic in the intersection

Testing Your Knowledge a. STOP and remain stopped until the light changes Correct! When the traffic light is RED, you must stop and remain stopped until the light turns GREEN. You may turn right on red after stopping unless there is a sign prohibiting it. You may turn left on red after stopping if you are on a one-way street and moving to another one-way street unless there is a sign prohibiting it.

Traffic Signs Right Turn on Red At some intersections you may turn right while the traffic light is red BEFORE turning STOP Check for traffic and pedestrians You may NOT turn right on red if one of these signs is present

Traffic Signs Left Turn on Red Left turn on red is permitted from one one-way street to another one-way street You must: Stop and Yield to other traffic and pedestrians You may NOT turn left on red if there is a sign prohibiting it

Testing Your Knowledge You are allowed to turn right or left at a red light after stopping at all intersections a. True b. False

Testing Your Knowledge b. false Correct! Right turn on red can be made at an intersection that does NOT have a prohibitive sign or a red arrow. Left turn on red can only be made from one one-way street to another one-way street.

Signs - Colors have Meaning Traffic Signs Signs - Colors have Meaning Red — prohibitive or stop Blue — motorist services Green — guide information, such as direction or guidance signs Yellow —general warning

Traffic Signs Signs - Colors have Meaning Orange — construction and maintenance work White — regulatory signs Brown —recreational and cultural interest Fluorescent Optic Yellow —school zones, school crossings and pedestrian crossings

Testing Your Knowledge Red on a sign indicates: a. caution b. prohibitive c. construction zone

Testing Your Knowledge b. Prohibitive Correct! RED – means stop or prohibited Examples: Stop No Right Turn Do Not Enter

Testing Your Knowledge A sign with a White background a. warning sign b. traffic law c. guide sign

Testing Your Knowledge b. Traffic law Correct! Signs with a white background are regulatory and state traffic laws

Testing Your Knowledge Orange on a sign indicates: a. Construction/road work b. Regulatory (the law) c. Services

Testing Your Knowledge a. Construction/road work Correct! The color orange lets the driver know there is construction ahead or you are entering a work zone

Testing Your Knowledge A Yellow sign indicates a. construction b. services c. general warning

Testing Your Knowledge c. General warning Correct! Yellow signs are general warning signs. Drivers should proceed with caution Pedestrian Crossing Merge

Signs - shapes Having Meaning Traffic Signs Signs - shapes Having Meaning Octagon —Stop signs Triangle —Yield signs Diamond — Warning Pentagon — School and School Crossings Pennant — Advance warning of No Passing Zones

Signs - shapes Having Meaning Traffic Signs Signs - shapes Having Meaning Rectangle — Regulatory or Guide Vertical indicates Regulatory Horizontal indicates directions or information Round - advance warning of Railroad Crossing Crossbuck – Railroad Crossing (same as a yield sign)

Testing Your Knowledge Because this sign is diamond shaped, we know it means a. school zone b. the law (regulatory) c. caution

Testing Your Knowledge c. caution Correct! A diamond shaped sign does indicate a general warning! Deer Crossing

Testing Your Knowledge A round sign indicates a. warning b. yield c. rail road crossing ahead

Testing Your Knowledge c. rail road crossing ahead Correct! A round sign is an advanced warning of a RR crossing The crossbuck should be treated as a yield sign at a RR crossing

Yellow General Warning Orange Construction/Work Zone Traffic Signs Warning Signs Give advance warning of hazards to allow drivers time to safely minimize risks Yellow General Warning Orange Construction/Work Zone

Note the difference between these signs! Traffic Signs Note the difference between these signs! A school crossing sign is 5 sided (pentagon) A pedestrian crossing sign is a diamond shaped sign Winding road Slippery when wet – slow down when road surface is wet

Traffic Signs Green Guide Signs GUIDE drivers to their destination by identifying routes well in advance

INFORM drivers of motorist services and recreational facilities Traffic Signs Information Signs INFORM drivers of motorist services and recreational facilities Services - Blue Recreation/Historical Landmarks- Brown

Traffic Signs Regulatory Signs REGULATE the speed and movement/direction of traffic Red – Stop or Prohibitive White - Regulations

Testing Your Knowledge The orange cone indicates a. construction b. warning – intersection ahead c. services ahead

Testing Your Knowledge a. construction Correct! The color orange indicates construction or work zone These cones are used to channel traffic thru the work zone

Testing Your Knowledge This sign indicates a. no left turn b. left turn only c. sharp curve to the left

Testing Your Knowledge a. no left turn Correct! This is a NO LEFT TURN sign The shape (rectangle) and color (white) of this sign identify it as a regulatory sign. The RED slash indicates the action shown is prohibited.

Review the Virginia Driver’s Manual Traffic Signs What does the sign mean? Review the Virginia Driver’s Manual Divided highway begins Right curve- side road Divided highway ends Right and left curves Slippery when wet SHARP right and left curves Winding Road Low clearance

Traffic Signs What does the sign mean? No passing zone ahead Slow moving vehicle travels 25 mph or less LEFT LANE HOV-2 ONLY 6-8 AM MON-FRI Crossbuck/gate down - Stop and remain stopped until the gate goes up Lane reserved for high occupancy vehicles Construction work zone ahead

Testing Your Knowledge This sign indicates a. two-way traffic/ keep right b. divided highway begins c. divided highway ends

Testing Your Knowledge a. two-way traffic Correct! This is a warning sign indicating two-way traffic The driver should keep right

Testing Your Knowledge If you see this sign, you know a. it is a warning sign b. only vehicles with at east two occupants are allowed in this lane between 6:30 am and 9:30 am LEFT LANE HOV-2+ ONLY 6:30-9:30 AM MON-FRI

Testing Your Knowledge b. only vehicles with at east two occupants are allowed … Correct! This sign is a regulatory sign that indicates it is against the law to be in that lane between 6:30 – 9:30 AM, Monday through Friday if there are not at least 2 occupants in your vehicles LEFT LANE HOV-2+ ONLY 6:30-9:30 AM MON-FRI

Virginia Learner’s Permit Virginia Driver’s Manual -Sections 2, 3 & 4 General Knowledge Test 80% needed to pass (20 out of 25 correct) Virginia Driver’s Manual -Sections 2, 3 & 4 Topics Pavement Markings Safe Driving Speed Limits Right of Way Changing Lanes/Passing Turning Signals Maintaining Space Sharing the Road Parking Use of Lights Dangerous Driving Behaviors Aggressive Driving Distracted Alcohol/Drugs & Driving Drowsy Safety Belts, Air Bags & Child Safety Seats

Pavement Markings Lesson 2 Understanding Pavement Markings

Pavement Markings Yellow Line = Two-way Traffic White Line = One-way Traffic Solid Line = No Passing Broken Line = Pass With Caution Is this a one-way or two-way road? Would passing be allowed?

Pavement Markings Yellow Line Two way traffic pass with caution Traffic Flow Two way traffic no passing

Pavement Markings White Lines One-way traffic Broken - pass with caution Traffic Flow Stop line Left turn only - arrow No passing - solid line

ONE WAY – pass with caution TWO WAY – no passing over solid lines Pavement Markings Multi-Lane ONE WAY – pass with caution TWO WAY – no passing over solid lines

Pavement Markings Triangles painted on the pavement show that you must yield

Arrows Indicate the Flow of Traffic Pavement Markings Arrows Indicate the Flow of Traffic This lane may continue straight or turn left This lane must turn left

Pavement Markings Shared Left Turn Lane Traffic from both directions uses this lane to turn left Do not travel more than 150 feet in this lane

Diamond Shaped Pavement Marking Pavement Markings Diamond Shaped Pavement Marking HOV Bus Lanes Bicycle Lanes

Testing Your Knowledge When approaching this pavement marking a. stop b. yield c. proceed with caution

Testing Your Knowledge b. yield Correct! Triangles painted on the pavement mark an area in which you must yield

Testing Your Knowledge If you are driving in this lane, you must turn left turn right

Testing Your Knowledge a. turn left Correct! This is a shared left turn lane – Vehicles in this lane must turn left

Testing Your Knowledge This roadway is a. one way – no passing b. one way – passing allowed c. two way – passing allowed

Testing Your Knowledge b. one way – passing allowed Correct! White lines indicate one-way traffic and broken lines indicate passing is allowed

Understanding the Virginia Driver’s Manual Lesson 3 Right of Way

Right of Way Concepts Right-of-Way is not a right or privilege – it must be given! Right of Way is determined by a set of rules Drivers must understand right-of-way rules governing Intersections Merges Special conditions

Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections Determine Who Should YIELD In The Following Situations Controlled Intersections Uncontrolled Intersections Single or two-lane roads intersecting with multiple-lane roads When turning left “T” Intersections Railroad grade crossings

Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections Controlled Intersections A controlled intersection has signs or signals to regulate the flow of traffic Signs and/or signals determine who should yield regulate the flow of traffic and pedestrians

Uncontrolled or 4-Way Stop Intersections An uncontrolled intersection has NO signs or signals to regulate the flow of traffic A 4-way stop has a stop sign at each corner First Car Rule Same Time Rule Vehicles approaching an intersection must yield to vehicles already in the intersection When two or more vehicles approach an intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right

Uncontrolled or 4-Way Stop Intersections In these illustrations, the Blue Car must yield the right-of-way

Testing Your Knowledge a b If both of these vehicles arrive at this uncontrolled intersection at the same time, who must yield? a. Car a b. Car b

Testing Your Knowledge a. Car a Correct! At and UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION or 4-WAY STOP if two vehicles approach at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield

Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections T-Intersections At a T-intersection, the vehicle on the side street must stop and yield right of way Traffic Circles Vehicles entering the traffic circle shall yield to vehicles already in the intersection

Right–of–Way Concepts: Intersections T-Intersections In the illustration above, the Blue Car must yield the right-of-way Traffic Circles In the illustration above, the White and Yellow Cars must yield the right-of-way

Testing Your Knowledge Who must yield at a traffic circle (roundabout)? a. Vehicles in the circle b. Vehicles entering the circle

Testing Your Knowledge b. Vehicles entering the circle Correct! Vehicles entering a traffic circle must yield to vehicles already in the circle

Right–of–Way Concepts: Emergency Vehicles Yield the Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to police, fire, and rescue vehicles using a siren and/or flashing lights If traffic is congested and prevents moving to the right edge of the road, adjust lane position and leave a clear path for the emergency vehicle to pass On an undivided highway, all traffic must pull over to the edge of the road and allow the emergency vehicle to pass

Right–of–Way Concepts: Pedestrians Yield the Right-of-Way to Pedestrians Intersections Crosswalks Making Right Turns Making Left Turns

Right–of–Way Concepts: School Bus Yield the Right-of-Way to School Buses All traffic must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign UNLESS the vehicles are traveling on the opposite side of a highway separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median area

Right–of–Way Concepts: School Bus If a School Bus is loading or unloading students on a two lane road, traffic from both directions must stop At an intersection, all traffic must stop In these illustrations, the RED cars must STOP and YIELD Right-of-Way

Right of Way Concepts: School Bus Vehicles traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a barrier or unpaved median do not have to stop In this illustration, the RED cars must STOP and YIELD Right-of-Way

Railroad Crossings Railroad crossings are specialized intersections Passing and overtaking is not permitted Virginia law requires certain vehicles (e.g., school buses, oil tankers, etc.) to stop at all railroad crossings If you follow one of these “Must STOP Vehicles”, be prepared to stop, since you cannot pass or overtake them at an intersection

Railroad Crossings Advance warning signs – a round, yellow sign with a black “ RR” indicates a highway-rail crossing is ahead - be prepared to stop Pavement markings – “RR” painted on the pavement - be prepared to stop Crossbuck signs are like yield signs – drivers must YIELD to trains Slow down and be prepared to stop when you see the crossbuck sign. A sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks drivers must cross

Railroad Crossings Flashing red lights and warning bells STOP - if you see flashing red lights or hear warning bells Gates - flashing red lights and/or bells STOP Never go around the gates, it’s against the law Flag operator - Proceed only when given the “all clear” signal Train whistle - STOP if you hear a train whistle, or see a train Cross when the gates are up, the lights and bells stop, and all tracks are clear in both directions!

Testing Your Knowledge You must always stop for a stopped school bus with it flashing lights and stop arm unless a. You are at an intersection b. There are no children loading or unloading c. There is a median between you and the bus

Testing Your Knowledge c. There is a median between you and the bus Correct! You must always stop for a school bus with flashing lights and a stop arm unless there is a median between you and the bus

Testing Your Knowledge When you approach this sign, you should a. stop b. proceed with caution c. slow down, look and listen for trains

Testing Your Knowledge c. slow down, look and listen for trains Correct! The crossbuck should be regarded as a yield sign Drivers should slow down, listen and look for trains and be prepared to stop

UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED Speed Limits A speed limit is the maximum legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions Basic Speed Limits School, Business or Residential Zones 25 MPH Rural Expressway (Interstates) 65 MPH Rustic Roadways 35 MPH All other roadways 55 MPH UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED

Speed Limits The 2010 Virginia General Assembly raised the maximum allowable speed limit in Virginia to 70 MPH. These 70 MPH speed zones will only apply to roadways specifically designated by VDOT. Driving above 80 MPH will still constitute reckless driving.

Virginia Driver Education Go to: http://www.dmvnow.com/dmvweb/kats/sne_intro.asp and take the general knowledge practice test.