1. Driving in Urban Traffic
Chapter 9
Driving in Urban Traffic

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

3. Following and Meeting Traffic

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Signaling wrong-way drivers
______
Steer ______
Sound ______
______headlights