Driving in City Traffic Chapter 14 Driving in City Traffic

Key Idea This chapter discusses the skills necessary to navigate driving situations in city traffic.

Adjusting to City Traffic What are some ways in which city traffic could be different from driving in other areas? What can we use to reduce the risks presented by city traffic? Differences – More cars, more pedestrians, line of sight restrictions, overall greater number of hazards. Use the IPDE process.

Traffic complexity 2 main reasons for city driving being more difficult are: Traffic Density Issues with Time, Distance, and Speed Traffic Density More hazards per mile than any other roadway Higher population More cars More people Issues with Time, Distance, and Speed Have less time and space to deal with the increased number of hazards because speed limit is faster than residential areas. ***Remember it takes time to use the IPDE process

Class Activity Recall of information You will have 10 seconds to look at the next slide. After the slide is shown you will be asked to recall the numbers from smallest to largest.

7542 24596 3748472 849494041

Please write down the numbers. Did anyone get: The 1st set? 1st and 2nd set? 1st, 2nd, and 3rd set? All 4 sets? Why was this difficult? This time you will see four numbers. How many times does the number 4 appear? 7542 24596 3748472 849494041

7542 24596 3748472 849494041

How many times does the number 4 appear? Is it easier to pick out specific items if you know what you are looking for? #4 appears 8 times

Using the IPDE Process Identify Predict Decide Execute Be aware of aggressive drivers and distracted drivers Predict Possible points of conflict to gain time to respond Decide Change speed and communicate to create time and space Execute Carry out you decision in a smooth deliberate manner Search ½ - 1 block ahead of your path of travel. Identify – Other users; Road conditions; Signs, Signals, Roadway markings; Line of sight restrictions; Specific clues; Open and closed zones Predict - Actions of others, Speed, Direction, Control Decide - Change/Maintain speed, Change/Maintain steering, Communicate, Combine Actions Execute - Carry out you decision in a smooth deliberate manner

Following Distance How far behind another vehicle should we be (in terms of time)? How do you check your following distance? 3 Second Rule Video – Following distance (3 second rule) – 01:09.74 minutes

Is a 3 second following distance always safe? What might be some situations in which you would need to increase your following distance to more than 3 seconds? Beginning driver Being tailgated Approaching a LOS restriction Any poor traction setting Heavy load/vehicle Driver ahead seems unsure Following a motorcycle

Tailgaters Define Tailgating. Managing a tailgater Following someone too closely (less than a 3 second following distance) Managing a tailgater Increase your following distance to 4 sec. or more. Move slightly to the right. Signal early for turns and stops. Change lanes or pull over and let them go by.

Managing Space in City Traffic How far ahead of your path of travel should you be looking? ½ - 1 block in heavy traffic in a city setting

Approaching a Traffic Signal Search your target area to find traffic signals. Red light Slow and prepare to stop. Green light “Fresh” “Stale” Cover the Brake What else at the intersection could help you determine if the light is “stale” or not? Fresh Green light – One you saw change to green and are close enough to it that it is unlikely that it will change again before you reach the intersection. The further away you are from it, the more likely it will change back to red on you. Stale green light – A green light that you did not see change to green, or was already green when you turned onto the street. Assume that this light will change as you approach and be prepared to stop. Cover the brake – Hold your foot over the brake, but do not apply pressure. Answers may vary, but should include: traffic building up on the cross street, pedestrians traffic building up on the corners, “DON’T WALK” sign is on or flashing.

What to Look for and Where To Look Scan Sidewalk to sidewalk Identify signs, signals, and roadway markings Be aware of the roadway features and conditions Identify the other users Identify intersections and driveways so you know where traffic can come from

Responding to Hazards on your Side of the Road Cover the brake Look for drivers inside the car (through windows) Pay attention to: Tail lights Presence of exhaust (cold weather) Front wheel position Be prepared to change lane position to the left Video Video: 00:00:21.0 seconds – car on right open driver side door in front of moving vehicle.

Responding to On Coming Traffic What should you do if an oncoming car enters your lane? How would you avoid a collision? Slow Down Steer Right Honk horn Flash Lights Video Demo Video – 00:00:37.0 seconds demonstrates Slow, Steer right, honk, flash lights.

Selecting the best lane 4 simple questions: Which one is the safest? Am I going to keep going straight? Am I going to turn left? Am I going to turn right?

Identifying One-Way Streets What can help you identify if the cross street is one-way or two-way? Parked cars Lane markings Traffic flow Signs Three different picture to illustrate: One way street approaching one way street – traffic all moving same directions, parked cars all facing same direction, signs all facing the same way, all white lines (stop line crosses all lanes of traffic), traffic signals facing our direction (none facing oncoming), One way street signs present at intersection. Two way street approaching one way street – Oncoming traffic present, yellow lines in center of street, parked cars facing opposite directions, one way street sign present, traffic only coming from the left Two way street approaching a one way street – Oncoming traffic present, yellow lines in the center of street, traffic signal facing three directions, one way street sign present, we have left turn lane, oncoming traffic does not have a special turn lane, parked cars facing opposite directions, stop line does not cross all lanes.

Entering One-way Streets Always turn from the closest lane available to the turn into the first available lane in your direction. 4 example turns

Wrong Way Driver Treat same as if the crossed the center line. Steer right Slow down Honk Flash lights

For your Quiz Explain what are the two main factors that increase the difficulty of driving in urban settings. Explain four ways to help you manage tailgaters. Explain what to do to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle in your lane. Explain how far ahead should you be scanning in an urban setting. Explain what can you do to help you avoid a possible hazard ahead of you on your side of the road. List 3 of the 5 items you should be looking for when driving in an urban setting. Explain how you select which lane you should be in when driving on a multiple lane road. Explain which lane do you turn into when turning onto a cross street.