UNIT 3 Foundations of Effective Driving CHAPTER 10 INTERSECTIONS

LESSON 1 – BASIC INTERSECTIONS Managing visibility, time and space at intersections: Scan for signs, pedestrians and other vehicles Scan for areas of blocked vision (blind intersection) Traffic on one road may have different traffic controls It takes about 6 seconds to cross an intersection so make sure you leave plenty of space Never speed up to beat a traffic signal A yellow light means slow down and stop if you can safely do so Always watch for drivers “running” red lights or not properly giving the right-of-way

Types of intersections: T-intersection – one road ends and forms a “T” with a crossroad Cross intersection – where two roads cross Four-way intersections – junctions with a stop sign and a sign saying “4-way-stop”

Tips for navigating toll plazas: If using change, keep it easily accessible Read the signs as you approach the toll plaza Be sure to choose an open lane by looking for a green signal well in advance Be especially alert to drivers ahead of you who switch lanes suddenly After you have paid the toll, wait for the go- ahead signal before exiting the toll If using easy pass, slow down (15 mph) when going through the toll booth Always slow down when approaching a tollbooth

LESSON 2 – RAILROAD CROSSINGS To safely drive through a railroad crossing: Do not try to cross when a train is coming Slow down as you approach a railroad crossing and proceed with caution if safe to go Look for warning lights, signals, sounds and lowering gates Look both ways when crossing (never solely rely on warning equipment) When a train is coming, stop no closer than 15 feet from the railroad crossing Always wait for the vehicle ahead of you to completely clear the tracks before you cross Never stop on the tracks

LESSON 3 - ROUNDABOUTS Roundabout – traffic circles which control traffic through certain intersections All traffic is directed in one direction (counter clockwise) Drivers exit where they need to

Driving safely through a roundabout: Slow down as you approach, turn on your right turn signal Look for yield signs (usually traffic in circle has the right-of-way but not always) Once in the roundabout, go in the direction of traffic One-lane roundabouts: Look for yield sign Look for a one way sign on the center island Watch for pedestrians Use right turn signal Enter circle when safe

Two-lane roundabouts: Look for yield sign Look for dashed yield lines Usually traffic in the circle has the right of way Yield to pedestrians If you enter in the inside lane, stay in the inside lane and exit on the inside lane If you enter in the outside lane, stay in the outside lane and exit on the inside lane Be aware of traffic in lane next to you Speed should be 20 mph or less as posted

LESSON 4 – COMPLEX INTERSECTIONS Complex intersection – where two major roadways cross paths (ex. Rte. 35/70 and Rte. 34) Multiple turning lanes Turn arrow signals (usually left) At least 64 intersecting points where vehicles can make contact with one another Drivers and pedestrians may be obeying different signs and signals In the U.S., almost 1 million crashes with injuries occur at or within an intersection at a cost of approximately $40 billion per year

Side-impact – when one vehicle hits another vehicle from the side 1/3 of all deaths occur in side-impact crashes Most often happens at intersections Rear-end – 75% of all rear-end crashes involve a car hitting a car stopping or already stopped from behind The elderly: Have the most trouble dealing with complex intersections About 1/2 of fatal crashes at intersections involve people age 80 or older

LESSON 5 - INTERCHANGES Interchanges – where one major highway crosses another road Through lanes – lanes continuing straight through an interchange (drivers staying on the same highway) Speed-change lanes – special lanes alongside the main travel lanes which allow a vehicle to reduce speed to exit or increase speed to enter Ramps – move vehicles from road to another Slow down to 15 to 45 mph Watch for sharp curves

Types of interchanges: Diamond interchange – lower traffic interchanges without special constraints Cloverleaf interchange – cars change direction via “loops” in the roadway. It is typically used where a highway intersects a busy street Trumpet interchanges – simple way to end one freeway at another (Rte. 18 meets with Rte. 138)