Rules and Regulations for SAFE DRIVING Pg 57 Chapter 4 Rules and Regulations for SAFE DRIVING Pg 57

Speed Control Pg 58 Exceeding the speed is a common cause of fatal and other types of accidents. Speeding affects almost everything that can happen while driving. Rules: Keep up with the flow of traffic at the legal speed. Keep enough distance from surrounding traffic.

New Jersey Speed Limits Pg 58-59 25 MPH- Business or residential districts 35 MPH- Suburban business and residential areas 50 MPH- All other roadways 55 MPH- Certain Highways (as posted) & all interstates 65 MPH- Certain Highways (as posted) **Drivers pay double fines for exceeding a 65MPH limit by 10 MPH or more!!!

Remember: Never drive faster than weather, roads or other conditions allow, REGARDLESS OF THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT Judge your speed control by existing conditions. Motorists should slow down and be able to see clearly and stop in traffic.

It is important to slow down especially here: Pg 59 On narrow or winding roadways At intersections or railroad crossings On Hills At Sharp or blind curves Where pedestrians or driving hazards are present On wet or slippery roads

Driving too Slowly Some accidents result from driving too slowly and backing up traffic. NJ law prohibits blocking traffic through slow driving. Pg 59

Passing Pg 60-61 Know the proper lane for normal driving and how to change lanes safely. Rules for passing depend on the road type. Stay to the right of the center lanes. Only pass when you must and when it is safe! You cannot pass if the center lanes are both solid (prohibited). If one of the center lines are broken, passing is allowed only on the broken lane side. If both center lines are broken, passing is allowed on both sides

PASS ONLY WHEN SAFE!! Pg 61 DO NOT PASS WHEN: On a hill or a curve At a street crossing or intersection - At a railroad crossing - On narrow bridges, or in an underpass and tunnels - When a sign prohibits passing or lines prohibit When behind a vehicle that has stopped to let pedestrians cross

Keep to the Right Pg 61 New Jersey law requires drivers to keep to the right, except when passing.

Yielding the Right-of-Way Pg 61 Laws govern which vehicle has the right of way, but drivers should always be prepared to yield. You must always yield to: Police Fire trucks Ambulances *When giving warning signs; sirens and lights.

Pedestrians in a Crosswalk Pg 62 NJ State law requires all motorists to STOP for pedestrians in a crosswalk. ($500 fine, jail, community service, 6 mths loss of license, 2 points) Whenever a vehicle is stopped to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, it is against the law for any vehicle to pass the stopped vehicle. All pedestrians in a crosswalk must be given the right of way.

Controlled Intersections pg 62 Is an intersection where traffic is regulated by a traffic signal or regulatory sign. Always stop at a multi-way stop or stop intersection. Always yield to the driver on the “RIGHT” if arriving simultaneously at a controlled intersection; 4-way stop. Always yield to any driver already at or in an intersection When making a left turn at an intersection, yield to oncoming traffic and all pedestrians within a crosswalk. Diagram

Uncontrolled Intersections Pg 63 Is when 2 or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device. Can potentially be dangerous!! See Why???

Blind Intersections Pg 63 Buildings, parked cars, or bushes can obstruct motorists’ line of sight. Trees, crops etc. may obstruct motorists line of sight.

Circle Intersections Pg 63 There are no set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Use common sense and caution. History usually determines the right of way.

Entering Highways, Parkways & Turnpikes Pg 64 Motorists enter these roadways on acceleration lanes or extra lanes used by motor to speed up to join the traffic flow. Must yield to traffic already on roadway. Try to avoid coming to a complete stop in the acceleration lane.

Leaving Highways, Parkways & Turnpikes

Curves Pg 67 It is important to adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve in a road. The best way to enter a curve in a road is to slow down before entering.

Turning Regulations Right Turn on Red Unless a No Turn on Red signs is posted, NJ law permits motorists to make a right turn on right after coming to a full stop and checking traffic. Pg 68

Right Turns To make a right turn, drive to the intersection as closely to the right as possible.

Left Turns Pg 68-71 When two vehicles converge at an intersection and both have signaled to turn left, use extra caution! When safe, each driver should turn to the left of the center of the intersection.

Stopping Regulations Pg 72 When a Motorist Must Stop: -At an intersection with a stop sign -At an intersection with a red light, flashing or otherwise -When a traffic officer orders a motorist to stop -When there is a yield sign and traffic does not permit a safe merge -School bus is picking up or dropping off kids; or bus lights are flashing red -At a bridge which is about to open -For Pedestrians in a crosswalk/intersection

Stopping a Railroad Crossings Pg 72 Motorists must stop at least 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights. Some vehicles ALWAYS stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses /tractor-trailers. Never stop on tracks!! If a vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out a walk clear if a train is coming!! Note: 500 people/year are hit by trains.

Stopping for School Buses & Ice Cream Trucks Pg 73-74 Do not pass or closely approach a school bus with flashing red lights. State laws require that motorists stop at least 25 feet away if traveling When approaching an ice cream truck with flashing red lights, be prepared to stop!

Pulling Over & Stopping for Emergency Vehicles Pg 74 NJ state law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles sounding sirens or flashing light Do not park within 200 feet of a fire department vehicle in service. Never drive over a fire hose unless told to do so by officials. Pg 74

Using Lights Pg 74-75 NJ law requires all motorists to turn a vehicle’s headlights on whenever windshield wipers are in use. Headlights must also be used between ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise. Other types of beams: Overhead lights- inside a vehicle should be used briefly.

Parking Regulations Pg 76-77 Except to avoid an accident or directed by an officer do not park : On a crosswalk Between a safety zone for pedestrians Near property marked street construction In a handicapped marked spot On a highway In a bus stop zone In front of private or public property Within an intersection

Within 10 ft. of a fire hydrant Within 25 ft. of a crosswalk Within 50 ft. of a railroad crossing Within 50 ft. of a stop sign Within 75 ft. on the street opposite of a fire station On any bridge Next to another vehicle parked at the curb (double parking) In any area where parking is prohibited

Helmets & Cellular Phones Pg 78 Bicycle riders, skateboarders etc. under 17 must wear a helmet. Effective July 1, 2004 in NJ it is illegal to use cell phones when operating a vehicle. Hands-free cell phones are usable. Exception –Provisional license drivers

Littering Fines of up to $1,000 can be issued. Pg 78

Chapter 5 Defensive Driving Pg 81

The Accident-Prevention Formula Pg 82 1. Be Alert Never think the other driver will not make a mistake Tired drivers increase your risk of an accident tremendously 2. Be Prepared Learn what to do in case you need to make a quick decision 3. Act in Time Try not to panic

Emotions/Aggressive Driving/Road Rage Pg 82 Emotions can and do effect driving. Aggressive Driving Impatient drivers tend to speed and rush. Road Rage – drivers lose their tempers or become frustrated

Distractions Lighting a cigarette pg 83 Fasten seat belt while driving Reaching across the seat Removing your coat Eating Adjusting mirror while driving Using cell phone Adjusting the radio Shaving Using Laptop Applying makeup

Tired Driver/Highway Hypnosis Pg 83-84 A tired driver is a dangerous driver. Highway Hypnosis – trance-like state when driving for extended periods of time Don’t look at any one thing for more than a few seconds. Rest every 2 hours.

Keep a Space Cushion Pg 85 DO NOT TAILGATE!! Tailgating- Is following too closely behind the vehicle directly in front of you.

Following Distance Pg 85 The One Car-Length Method There is no perfect rule for determining following distance; KEEP AT LEAST 1 CAR LENGTH for each 10 miles per hour of speed.

Continued: Pg 86 The Three-Second Plus Rule To use this rule as a gauge safe following distance locate an object (sign, tree etc.) At least 3 seconds should elapse between the two cars passing the sign or tree. During bad weather, the three-second rule should be increased to 6 or more.

Changing Lanes and Passing Pg 87 Keep the following points in mind when passing or changing lanes: Only pass or change lanes if necessary Only pass if it can be completed without speeding Keep a safe following distance, do not tailgate Check traffic ahead and behind Only pass if road permits to do so Signal every lane change Tap horn if necessary to signal to the driver ahead

When being passed: Pg 87 Stay in the proper lane Be careful Consider slowing down to make the pass easier

Road Conditions pg 87-90 Wet roads- take extra caution!- road surfaces are most slippery during the 1st few minutes of rainfall Hydroplaning- starts at about 35 mph Can cause a driver to lose control At 55mph, tires may totally leave the road To avoid hydroplaning, slow down! If “ABS” kick in keep break pushed to floor, do not pump Snow and Ice – snow tires between Nov. 15 and Apr. 1 Reduced Visibility – Frost, Fog, Sun glare

Night Driving Pg 90 Nearly 90% of driving decisions are based on what a person sees. When driving at night visibility is reduce. Consider the following factors when driving at night: Speed Reaction time- distance traveled before hitting brakes Braking distance- distance needed to come to a complete stop High Beams – 500 ft. Low Beams – 350 ft. Vehicle travels 88 ft/sec at 60 mph

City Driving Pg 91 Be very alert Always yield to pedestrians. Look at least 12 seconds ahead See about 1 block ahead.