Chapter 9 Environments and Traffic Settings UNIT 4 APPLYING EFFECTIVE DRIVING Chapter 9 Environments and Traffic Settings

Lesson 1 – Residential Streets Factors that affect driving on residential streets: Expect the unexpected Drive slower Watch for pedestrians, children playing and bicyclists Watch for parked cars and cars pulling out of driveways

Lesson 2 – Urban and Suburban Streets Factors that affect urban and suburban driving: Expect dense traffic Watch for pedestrians Be extra careful at intersections (cars and pedestrians) Expect slow or irregular traffic flow Be aware of potholes and other road defects Watch for stopped trucks and cars (taxi’s)

Managing visibility, time and space in urban and suburban driving: Look at least 2 city blocks ahead and from one side of the street to the other Check mirrors to monitor traffic Stay alert at all times Watch for signs and signals Drive at a moderate speed Always be ready to stop Expect to do a lot of braking Give yourself extra time (expect traffic) Increase following distance When stopping, give yourself plenty of space

LESSON 3 – MULTI-LANE HIGHWAYS Special factors which affect driving on multi-lane highways: Almost never need to stop Usually two or more lanes moving quickly Entrance and exit lanes are usually on the right Cars are driven at higher speeds Frequent passing Expect to see large trucks

Merging traffic – traffic is Interchanges – points where two highways cross Merging traffic – traffic is entering the highway from entrance ramps or acceleration lanes (short, one-way roads connecting two highways) deceleration lanes allow vehicles to reduce speed to exit

Managing driving on multi-lane highways: Search 20 to 30 seconds ahead (to the horizon) Watch for danger at entrances and exits Increase following distance when driving behind large trucks Check mirrors frequently Check for road signs When merge, accelerate to the flow of traffic When exiting move into the exit lane as soon as possible Pay extra attention when in bumper to bumper traffic (frequent braking) Be careful when passing

Lesson 4 – rural roads Factors which affect driving on rural roads: Be aware and adjust to road conditions Watch for sharp curves and steep hills Watch for slow moving vehicles Be aware of potential sight obstructions (ex. Trees) Be prepared to see animals and objects in the road Driving on rural roads: Search 20 to 30 seconds ahead Drive at a safe speed When driving at night, you may need to use your high beams