Chapter 9 Driving in City Traffic

More Complex!! Why? 1.Traffic is more dense – more cars, trucks, buses and pedestrians per mile than on rural roads. 2.Hazards are closer to you & you may need to react to more than one at a time.

Google Earth

IPDE Process Keys : 1.Focus 2.Avoid distractions i.e. cell phones, passengers 3.Be “vigorous” with your visual skills 4.Search front zone & keep it open 5.Predict conflict quickly 6.Be ready to communicate

Advantages of GOOD Following Distance See further Others can see you better More reaction time Can use IPDE easier 3 second following distance or more Adverse conditions Following a motorcycle Poor traction

Another Technique… Look over, through, and around vehicle you are following. Page 179 & 180

Areas of sudden stops Intersections—turning cars, pedestrians Entrances & Exits to parking lots Lanes next to parked cars

1.Zone ahead-open & stable? 2. Increase following distance --more than 3 seconds 3. Keep eyes moving 4. Take split second glances (quick glances) 5. Ask passengers to help look (for addresses, stores, road signs) Looking Away Safely

Tailgater = car following too closely YOU are being tailgated Increase YOUR following distance Move right in your lane Signal early Flash brakes to communicate

Approaching Traffic Signals A few techniques…. Be ready at stale green Watch for “Don’t Walk” pedestrian signal flashing Never speed up to get through green

Lane Changing 1.Signal 2.Mirrors 3.Blind Spot

Common Mistakes Dropping speed Drifting with head check Forgetting to cancel signal Moving car over too quickly

Lane Changing Examples How to Lane ending

BEFORE making a lane change a driver should consider the following… The situation 1.Car braking ahead?? 2.Car signaling?? 3.Traffic light ahead?? Stale or Fresh? 4.Car entering the roadway ahead

Often lane changes must be made because of lane closures during construction

What must you do in this situation? LANE CHANGE LEFT LANE CHANGE LEFT

…but don’t wait until you almost run out of space

…some lane changes require braking Watch for brake lights when moving over …some lane changes require braking Watch for brake lights when moving over STOP and THINK If you need to turn right at the light, should you have waited this long to lane change? No, plan and execute your lane changes well in advance of any turn

What would it be wise to check right now? What would it be wise to check right now? - - right rear blind spot with head check - - right rear blind spot with head check

You are completing your left turn onto this road… …what must you quickly do up ahead? Lane change right

Extra clips Traffic controls Double turn lanes Information on trucks

Why is the left lane of a 4 lane road not as safe/efficient as the right lane? Closer to oncoming cars Closer to oncoming cars Escape paths are minimized Escape paths are minimized Can be delayed behind left turners Can be delayed behind left turners

No right turn sign just came on -- train coming …but at certain intersections you are better off NOT being in the right lane …but at certain intersections you are better off NOT being in the right lane

Again, you’re at 45 mph…what should you start doing about now? Coasting at the stale green light (anticipating the yellow) Coasting at the stale green light (anticipating the yellow) - its good to talk to yourself : “I can stop…I can stop…I can still stop…point of no return…I’m going” - its good to talk to yourself : “I can stop…I can stop…I can still stop…point of no return…I’m going”

By talking to yourself this way…you’ll be ready to make the right decision if the light turns yellow This far back, we are definitely stopping STOP and THINK What could happen if you forget that the light could unexpectedly change? You might make the wrong decision

In rainy weather begin coasting much sooner… also the point of no return will be further back from the light.

Running the Red Light Running the Red Light Intersections

Pedestrians & Emergency vehicles at traffic light intersections

You want to turn left at this intersection… …should you now proceed? No…someone is illegally crossing the street No…someone is illegally crossing the street

…but what if they have already started walking when this light starts flashing? …but what if they have already started walking when this light starts flashing? They are allowed to finish crossing

Next to the red light there is a flashing white light…what does it mean? Emergency vehicle is in the area Emergency vehicle is in the area

With this emergency vehicle is going through this traffic light intersection…all vehicles at the intersection must: With this emergency vehicle is going through this traffic light intersection…all vehicles at the intersection must:

Trains—What clues are at an intersection to let us know there is a train coming?

What can you not do as you approach this intersection? Make a left turn…in this situation the sign lights up when a train is coming... Make a left turn…in this situation the sign lights up when a train is coming...