Illinois Rules of the Road Ch 10 & 11 Illinois Rules of the Road

Traffic Signals Traffic lights at intersections usually have three colors — red, yellow and green — from top to bottom or from left to right Red light means come to a complete STOP Yellow warns you that the light is about to change to red- you must yield! Green gives you the right away to GO but you must look both ways before proceeding

Special Traffic Signals When traffic control signals are not working, you must always treat the intersection as an all-way stop, come to a complete stop. You must then look and yield the right-of-way before entering an intersection. If a traffic light shows both a red light and a green arrow, a driver may turn in the direction of the arrow until the red light has changed.

Traffic Signals At some intersections, there may be a single red or yellow light. A flashing RED light is to be treated as a STOP sign! You must stop, yield the right-of-way to traffic within the intersection or crosswalk and proceed when safe. A flashing yellow light requires you to proceed with caution, which means you must slow down and look both ways

Pavement Markings Solid white lanes separate traffic moving in the SAME direction. You should not change lanes when you see them. Broken white lines also separate traffic moving in the SAME direction. Changing lanes is safer here.

Pavement Markings Solid yellow lanes separate traffic moving in the OPPOSITE direction. You should not pass a vehicle when you see them. Broken yellow lines also separate traffic moving in the OPPOSITE direction. If safe, passing is allowed here.

Pavement Markings Drivers may not pass on a two-lane roadway marked with a single solid yellow line on their side of the center line. The broken line must be on your side to pass legally.

Railroad Crossbuck Sign Most crossings have a railroad sign. If it has more than one track, the number of tracks is on the sign below the crossbuck. This is a yield sign and drivers must yield the right of way to any oncoming trains.

Following Distances Following a vehicle too closely is called “tailgating.” Use the three-second rule to determine a safe following distance. Select a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead of you passes the object, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, etc.”

Weather Conditions If driving during foggy weather, a driver should drive with his headlights set on dim or use fog lights.

Skidding Skidding occurs when tires lose traction. If you skid, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you feel you have regained traction and then straighten your vehicle.

Hydroplaning Avoid hydroplaning (skidding on water) by slowing down. If you skid while hydroplaning, try to regain control of the vehicle. Otherwise, release the accelerator and ride out the skid.

Blowouts A thumping sound may be a warning of a blowout. If this happens, ease your foot off the gas pedal and keep a firm grasp on the steering wheel. Do not brake suddenly. Pull safely off the roadway and check your tires.

Driving off the Pavement If your wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder, grip the wheel firmly, ease your foot off the gas pedal and brake gently. After checking for traffic behind you, gently steer back onto the pavement. Do not jerk your wheel to correct your steering. This may cause you to drive into oncoming traffic.

More Info Illinois law requires you to turn on your headlights when operating your wipers. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon monoxide is a deadly poison. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are weariness, yawning, dizziness, nausea, headache and ringing in the ears. To prevent it, leave the window partially open when starting the engine, while driving the vehicle or when running the engine while parked. Never run the engine in your garage.