Basic Maneuvers in Urban Traffic NV Driver Education Curriculum Unit 6: Mixing with Traffic Presentation 5 of 5 TOPICS: Inexperienced Driver Tips Lane Choices, Positions, & Changes Shared Turn Lane

Inexperienced Drivers Speed Control Space Management Risk Perception Visual Search Hazard Recognition Lifestyle Issues Six factors highly correlated with teen auto crashes Graphic from: http://www.suncoastdefensivedriving.com/images/chart1.gif Retrieved 03/04/11

Inexperience Per miles driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely to crash than other drivers Crash risk is particularly high during the 1st year What are you going to work on to reduce your risk? Speed Control Space Management Risk Perception Visual Search Hazard Recognition Lifestyle Issues Six factors highly correlated with teen auto crashes Statistics from: http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

Wrecked: Life and Death on the Road Teen Drivers Video Farmers Insurance Wrecked: Life and Death on the Road http://www.farmers.com/wrecked_roadbook.html (14:00) Always preview video before showing to students Check content Check availability Geico image from: http://www.geico.com/information/safety/auto/teendriving/real-teen-driving/ State Farm image from: http://www.statefarm.com/insurance/auto_insurance/steerClear_online.asp Farms image from Retrieved: 03/04/11 Click on web address to access video clips *Suggest full screen viewing

You can’t respond to what you don’t see. IPDE and You Over 90% of auto accidents are caused by a single distracted driver, who fails to see and respond to changes in traffic. Road image from: Image from: http://www.aaroads.com/ Driver image from: http://www.jdpower.com/images/vehicles/jdpa/editorial_topics/driving/300/DistractedDriver02.jpg Retrieved 03/07/11 You can’t respond to what you don’t see.

What is a potential hazard in this scene? Image from teenSMART People in street – unpredictable Traffic in rear may not see pedestrians

What is a potential hazard in this scene? Image from teenSMART Blind curve in road People unload car on right – unpredictable Traffic in rear may not see pedestrians

What is a potential hazard in this scene? Image from teenSMART Green light ahead Cars braking ahead Blind spot – Van on right Red car on right moving to traffic

Nevada Roads Nevada roads range from neighborhood streets, single lane country roads, city streets, and multi-lane expressways. Images from: http://www.aaroads.com Retrieved 03/07/11

Remember Basic Speed Law Nevada’s basic speed law states never drive at “such a rate of speed as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.” Posted speed are set for normal road and weather conditions. In rain, snow, or high winds it would be unsafe to travel at the posted speed. Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/4370036168/ Retrieved 03/17/11

Experience is the best teacher. Basic Maneuvers All drivers perform basic maneuvers on every trip: Changes in speed Lane choices and positions Merging and turning in traffic Experience is the best teacher. Image from: http://www.aaroads.com/ Retrieved 03/07/11

Look Beyond the Vehicle Ahead Look over, around, or through the vehicle you are following. Always try to anticipate what the driver ahead is likely to do in response to a changing zone condition. 12

Increase Your 3 Second Following Distance when: You are just learning to drive. A tailgating driver is behind you. You are approaching a line-of-sight restriction. Traction is low. You are carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer. The driver ahead of you seems unsure. You are following a motorcycle. 13

Areas for Sudden Stops Intersections where drivers may have to stop for traffic or pedestrians. Lanes next to parked vehicles—give at least 3 feet of space. Business driveways with high volume traffic. 14

Cover the brake Covering the brake means that you take your foot off the accelerator and hold it over the brake pedal. Be sure that you are not resting your foot on the brake pedal—known as riding the brake. Use this technique when you are driving past vehicles that are stopped/parked on the street. Watch for doors that might open unexpectedly. Drive at least one car door’s width away. 15

Lane Choices Select the lane with the fewest number of hazards. The left lane is usually for faster traffic, but it may get held up by drivers waiting to turn left. The center lane usually has the smoothest traffic flow. The right lane is considered the slow lane because people are entering and exiting the roadway with this lane. Be aware of: Buses stopping in the lane Vehicles turning in or out of driveways Vehicles turning right 16

Lane Choices Select the best travel lane: Image from: http://www.aaroads.com/west/bl-015_nv.html If two lanes traveling in same direction, travel in right lane, use left lane to pass. If three lanes, travel in the middle lane. Why?

Lane Changes Many situations require a driver to change lanes: Bus blocking lane Road sign indicating lane end Vehicle in your lane is preparing to turn Slow-moving vehicle or visibility obstruction Bus image from: http://www.truewheelers.org/cases/vassarst/images/DSCF0093bus%20in%20bike%20lane.jpg Lane end image from: http://www.usends.com/80-89/285/begin285n_wb4_2008.jpg Retrieved 03/07/11 In all these situations, the driver in the blocked lane must yield right of way, to oncoming vehicles, as well as vehicles in adjacent lanes.

Preparing to Change Lanes Before changing lanes ask: Is it safe? Will others (ahead or behind) be making lane changes? Is the lane available? Will adjacent vehicles also attempt to enter the open space? Is anyone rapidly approaching from the rear? Top image from: http://driversed.com/teen-drivers-education/Use-of-Lanes.aspx Mirror image from: http://www.benzinsider.com/2007/09/blind-spot-assist-greater-safety-when-changing-lanes/ Retrieved 03/07/11

How to Change Lanes Safely Changing lanes involves steering and speed adjustments. Signal in advance to alert others! Check mirrors for gap Signal intention Re-check blind spot When safe, steer into new lane Adjust your speed to flow of traffic Cancel signal and re-check speed and position Mirror image from: http://i.ehow.co.uk/images/a06/r6/9c/adjust-side-mirrors-800X800.jpg Street image from: http://www.driversedguru.com/driving-articles/car-driving-skills/how-to-change-lanes/ Retrieved 03/07/11

Center Turn Lanes Shared left-turn lane May not be used for passing Remember Center Turn Lanes Shared left-turn lane May not be used for passing May not travel more than 200ft before turning left May not travel more than 50ft after turning left before merging with traffic Sign image from: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/rules_of_the_road/image/center_lane_only.gif Arrows image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/completestreets/4686193634/ No arrows image from: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/design_nonmotor/highway/index2.htm Retrieved 03/07/11

Sharing the Center Lane Remember On busy streets, a shared left-turn lane helps drivers get into and out of businesses in the middle of the block. Who should yield the right of way? Sign image from: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/rules_of_the_road/image/center_lane_only.gif

One-Way Streets Identify one-way streets using these clues: ONE WAY signs are posted on most one-way streets. All moving traffic and parked vehicles point in the same direction. Broken white lines are used to separate all lanes. Most traffic signs will be facing the same direction. If you are driving on a street and the signs are facing the other way, you are probably going the wrong way on a one-way street. 23

When can you make a left turn on a red light? One-Way Streets When entering or exiting a one-way street it is expected that you will enter traffic in the lane closest to you OR the designated lane (as indicated on sign). Signs image from: http://sonofparis.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-way.html Diagrams from: http://media.mlive.com/kzgazette_impact/photo/k0303savvyturnsjpg-c296fb6b19c8b14c.jpg Photo from: http://www.aaroads.com Retrieved 03/07/11 When can you make a left turn on a red light?

Signaling Wrong-Way Drivers Things you should do to signal someone who is traveling in the wrong direction. Slow down or Stop Steer to the Right Sound your Horn Flash your Headlights 25

Reducing Risk is all up to You When driving: Maintain a visual lead to identify hazards Create space margins to help avoid hazards Use speed to adjust to possible hazards Make choices that reduce hazards from happening Driving image from: http://cdn.babble.com/strollerderby/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ip_teen_driving.jpg Crash image from: http://www.acsbodyshop.com/istock_000001904385xsmall.jpg Retrieved 03/07/11

Safety Tip Final Thoughts Drivers should allow a minimum of 3 feet of space between the vehicle and cyclists when passing. Man on bike image from: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/769198--bike-lanes-for-jarvis Car door image from: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1250/1443391472_5982c983c0.jpg?v=0 Buffer image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgradinger/3723809115/ Retrieved 03/07/11 Buffered Bike Lane

Test Your Knowledge Nevada’s “Basic Speed Law” says: Never drive faster than the posted speed Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions The maximum speed limit in Nevada is 70 mph on rural interstate freeways The minimum speed limit in Nevada is 15 mph in school zones Answer: B

Test Your Knowledge When deciding to change lanes on a multi- lane road, first look for vehicles: Turning off the road Immediately in front of you Following closely behind you In the lane you wish to move into Answer: C 22222222

Test Your Knowledge This sign means: Winding road, use caution Slippery when wet, use caution Merging traffic from right Sharp left curve then right curve, use caution Answer: B Image from: http://www.usa-traffic-signs.com/SearchResults.asp Retrieved 12/03/10