Negotiating Intersections Chapter 7 Negotiating Intersections

7.1 Searching Intersections

Intersection Characteristics Street signs and street lights Roadway markings Crossing traffic Parked vehicles on crossed streets Turning traffic Traffic stopping Power lines

Types of Intersections + X Y T Traffic Circle – intersections that forms when several roadways meet at a circle

Approaching an Intersection Widen your search pattern when you are within 4-6 seconds of the intersection Look for open and closed zones

Point-Of-No-Return Point beyond which a driver can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection. Under normal conditions, that point is 2 seconds from the intersection. See page 132.

Don’t forget you cannot make lane changes within an intersection!

STOPPING at an Intersection Sometimes you may have to stop before entering an intersection If you have made a complete stop make sure you check your front zone before you begin moving again! * If there is a vehicle that stopped in front of you, wait one second just incase they have to make an unpredicted stop!

Controlled Intersection There is either a sign or signal at every approach.

Controlled Intersection w/Signs Two types of signs STOP YIELD STOP – come to a full stop YIELD – slow and yield the right of way to other vehicles.

Controlled Intersection w/ Signals Typical lights are RED, YELLOW (AMBER), and GREEN Some lights at intersection may also blink or have arrows.

Light Signals Stale Green Light Has been green for awhile May turn yellow at any moment Fresh Green Light Just turned green, but does not guarantee that it is safe Yellow Light Stop if you can. Will turn red soon! Red Light You must STOP!

Left on RED Some states allow left turn on Red. NJ only allows it if there is a green arrow allowing you to go.

Controlled Railroad Crossing Has red lights along with crossing gates. You MUST STOP before the gates.

Uncontrolled Intersection Has no signs or signals to regulate traffic. Usually found in areas of light traffic.

Approaching Uncontrolled Intersections Slow down and identify and open and closed zone. Be prepared to STOP at any moment! Never assume that the other driver will yield!

Negotiating Circles Always yield to cars already in the circle. Vehicles in a circle will be coming from your left. While in the circle, always be alert of vehicles entering from the right.

Uncontrolled Railroad Crossings Does not have flashing red lights or crossing gates. Stopping distances of trains differ. You can guarantee that it will take longer for a train to stop then a car. Slowdown and be prepared to STOP!

Partially Controlled Intersections At least one approach to and intersection has either a YIELD sign or STOP sign. or

Determining RIGHT-of-WAY Describes the privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of a roadway. You will often have to YIELD , by letting others go first, to be safe,

Situations in which you must Yield Yield at STOP signs to Pedestrians in or near the crosswalk All traffic on the through street Yield at fresh green lights to Pedestrians still in the crosswalk Vehicles still in the intersection Yield coming from and alley, driveway, or private roadway to Pedestrians before reaching the sidewalk All vehicles on the street.

Situation Continued Yield at all YIELD signs to Pedestrians and vehicles in the street Yield to emergency vehicles Sounding a siren and/or lights Yield when turning left at any intersection to Pedestrians in your turn path and oncoming vehicles

Situation Continued Yield at 4-way stops to Pedestrians in or near crosswalks Vehicles that arrive first Vehicles from the right if you arrive at the same time Yield at uncontrolled intersections Pedestrians Vehicles in the intersection Vehicles from the right if you arrived at the same time

Judging Gap Size Gap – the distance between vehicles. Go to pg. 144 Few examples: To cross traffic 4-5 seconds To turn right and join traffic 6 seconds To turn left and join traffic 7 seconds

You need different size gaps depending on… the maneuver you plan to make The speed of traffic