1. Negotiating Intersections
Chapter 10
Negotiating Intersections

2. Key Idea
This chapter discusses the skills needed to approach, enter, and exit different types of intersections safely. These skills involve proper searching techniques; judgments of time, space and distance; and yielding the right of way.

3. How to identify an intersection
What is an intersection?
Any place where two or more roads come together, or cross.
Common types of intersections:
Four Way
“+” or “X” pattern
Three Way
“T” or “Y” pattern
Multiple Roads (more than two)

4. How to identify an intersection con’t.
Clues that an intersection is coming up:
Street lights and signs
Roadway markings (turn lanes/crosswalks)
Stopping or turning traffic
Pedestrians
Rows of fences or mailboxes
Power lines crossing over the street
Curb bending away/ending

5. Controlled or Uncontrolled?
Controlled intersection
An intersection that has a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal in one or more directions controlling the flow of traffic.
Uncontrolled intersection
An intersection that does not have a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal in one or more directions controlling the flow of traffic.
You should always treat this intersection as if a yield sign were present though.
Controlled intersections - has a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal present in one or more directions.
Uncontrolled Intersection – Does not have a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal in any direction at the intersection.

6. Approaching an intersection
After identifying the intersection ahead you should:
Look for Line of Sight Restrictions
What is being hidden by the tree and van?

7. Approaching an Intersection
12-15 sec. ahead
Locate traffic controls and search for roadway markings
Left? Right? Straight? Choose correct lane.
Zone checks become more frequent (especially mirrors incase of stop)
Identify if it is a stale green light or fresh green light.
Try to pick out the number of streets (directions) coming together.

8. Approaching an Intersection
4-6 sec. ahead
Left-Across-Right-Across-Left Search
Cover the brake
Identify other users (drivers and pedestrians), LOS restrictions, Path of Travel Restrictions
Check mirrors to see if rear zones are clear in case of stop

9. Approaching an Intersection
2 sec. ahead
Point of No Return
What is this?
Where is it at?
What might change it?
Point of no return – This is the point beyond which you can no longer safely stop without entering (going out into) the intersection. Under NORMAL conditions, that point is when you are two seconds from the intersection.
The distance from the intersection is dependent upon the speed at which you are traveling. Faster = further away from (before) the intersection, slower = closer to (before) the intersection.

10. Deciding to Stop Traffic signal/sign Something blocking your path
Red/Yellow light
Stop sign
Yield Sign
Something blocking your path
Other user
Before braking to stop, remember to check mirrors!
Stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or the beginning of the intersection.
If your view is blocked, perform a safety stop.
If stopping behind another vehicle, stop where you can see the bottom of their rear tires touching the ground.
Safety stop – stop with your front bumper even with the curb line or cars parked on the cross street, allowing you to search 90 degrees to right and left.

11. Entering an Intersection
Check Left-Right-Left
Line of Sight restriction?
Additional checks to make sure path is open
Change lane position/reduce speed while checking
Turning
Last check should be in the direction of your turn

12. Analyzing Data (p.188) 1. Reading the Graph 2. Analyzing Data
3. Inferring
4. Inferring
5. Execute
Reading the Graph – What is the total percentage of fatal crashes represented by this graph?
2. Analyzing Data – At which traffic control were the greatest number of fatal crashes? The fewest number of crashes?
3. Inferring – Suggest a reason for the difference in crashes at a flashing red light and at a flashing light with a stop sign.
4. Inferring – Suggest a reason why intersections with stop signs and intersections with no control had about the same percentage of fatal crashes.
5. Execute – As a driver, what actions can you take to prevent crashes at intersections?

13. Determining Right of Way
Define right of way.
The privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of the roadway.
If you yield correctly, the traffic you are yielding to should not have to:
Slow
Stop
Swerve
Traffic signs show who should yield, but don’t actually make it happen.
Don’t assume others will yield
Better to yield to others even if law requires them to yield to you.

14. 8 Situations for Yielding Right of Way
1. Stop sign
2. Fresh green light
3. Leaving an alley, driveway, or private road
4. Yield signs
5. Emergency Vehicles
6. Turning Left
7. 4-way Stop
8. Uncontrolled Intersections

15. Judging Gap Size Define gap
The distance between two vehicles.
Gap size depends on the maneuver being performed.
Define joining traffic
Is when a vehicle turns right or left into lanes of other traffic.

16. Judging Gap Size More than 3 1/2 blocks away More than 3 blocks away
55 mph
More than 2 1/2 blocks away
More than 2 blocks away
More than 1 block away
40 mph
1 block away
More than 2/3 block away
30 mph
More than 1/2 block away
20 mph
Turn left and join traffic 7 sec.
Turn right and join traffic 6 sec.
To cross traffic 4-5 sec.

17. Controlled Intersections
Define controlled intersection.
An intersection that has a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal in one or more directions controlling the flow of traffic.
Define fresh green light.
A light that you have seen just turned green.
Define stale green light.
A light that has been green for a while, or you had not seen it change to green.
Video – Signal Intersection – 02:53.32 minutes

18. Turning Left at Signals
Define unprotected left turn.
Left turn made at a signal controlled intersection without a left-turn signal.
Define protected left turn.
Left turn made at a signal controlled intersection with a left-turn signal and/or turn lane.
Give two examples of a protected left turn.
Left turn arrow
Delayed green light
1st video – Unprotected left turn – 00:50.02 seconds
2nd video – Protected left turn – 00:41.82 seconds – shows delayed green light version.

19. Turns on a Red light Define right turn on red.
Right turn made at a red light after coming to a complete stop.
Allowed at every intersection in the United States, unless prohibited by a sign.
Define left turn on red.
Left turn made at a red light after coming to a complete stop.
Only allowed when turning from a one-way street to another one-way street in Illinois.
1st video – right turn on red – 00:53.15 seconds
2nd video – left turn on red – 00:25.09 seconds

20. Uncontrolled intersections
Define uncontrolled intersection.
An intersection that does not have a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal in one or more directions controlling the flow of traffic.
Most likely found in residential areas.
If you can’t see a traffic sign or signal, assume that it is uncontrolled and be prepared to yield

21. Approaching an Uncontrolled intersection
12-15 seconds ahead (1/2 block away)
See the intersection and determine if it is controlled/uncontrolled.
Identify open/closed zones and LOS restrictions
4-6 seconds away (3-4 houses away)
Check your rear zone in case you need to stop.
Cover your brake until you reach the point of no return.
2 seconds away (1 house)
Are you going or stopping?
Video – Uncontrolled intersection approach commentary – 03:03.30 minutes
If two cars arrive at the same time at an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

22. Railroad Crossings Define crossbuck. Define active railroad crossing.
A large white X-shaped sign at a railroad crossing.
Define active railroad crossing.
A railroad crossing that has lights and/or gates present to warn drivers about a train.
Define passive railroad crossing.
A crossing that is only marked by the crossbuck symbol and has no additional warnings about trains approaching.
Remember to cover your brake as you approach and LOOK, LISTEN, and LIVE at RR crossings
LOOK – check LRL for train, train has headlights in the center of the engine.
LISTEN – for train horn/engine noises
If train is detected, yield to the train, otherwise it is safe to cross.

23. Roundabouts Define roundabout. Benefits
An intersection designed as a circle, also know as a traffic circles or rotaries.
Benefits
Safer
Eliminates head on collisions
No left turns crossing traffic
Traffic only comes from one direction.
Video – European vacation roundabout clip – 01:05.50 minutes.

24. For Your Quiz What is point of no return?
If your view is blocked at a stop sign what should you do?
Define right of way.
Give five examples of when you are required to yield.
Define an uncontrolled intersection.
Define a controlled intersection.
Give two examples of a protected left turn.