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Part one: Strategies/Tactics and Rules of the Road T H E D R I V E R S E D G E I N T E R A C T I V E C U R R I C U L U M Part one: Strategies/Tactics and Rules of the Road

4 Lane Strategies and Rules of the Road

Is a turn left allowed onto this 4 lane road? Yes, most of the time, except the evening rush hours Is a turn left allowed onto this 4 lane road?

With this traffic situation, what should you already be doing? Braking, this will also alert drivers behind you.

Almost (nearly half of all drivers do not Are you in this driver’s blind spot? Almost (nearly half of all drivers do not make blind spot head checks when lane changing)

Now, you are very likely in their blind spot. If they do not check their blind spot before lane changing… possible crash! What is the danger of lingering in their blind spot? STOP and THINK Now, you are very likely in their blind spot.

Lane changing Check traffic situation Signal Check mirrors again Head check (covers blind spot) COMMON MISTAKES - dropping your speed - drifting during head check - forgetting to cancel signal - moving car over too quickly

Proper Lane changing some examples . . . Movie will play

Proper Lane changing Check traffic situation (mirrors) Signal Check Head check

There is no need to look further back After checking both inside and left outside mirrors, the proper left shoulder blind spot head check: Again, look out back seat side window.

Lane change - Right an example . . .

Lane change - Right Check traffic situation (mirrors) Signal Check Mirrors again Head check

There is no need to look further back After checking both inside and right outside mirrors, the proper right shoulder blind spot head check: Look out back seat side window.

Often, lane changes must be made because of lane closures during construction.

What must you do in this situation? LANE CHANGE LEFT

…but do not wait until you almost run out of space!

No, plan and execute your lane changes well in advance of any turn If you need to turn right at the light, should you have waited this long to lane change? STOP and THINK Some lane changes require you to brake. Watch for brake lights when moving over.

What would it be wise to check right now? Right rear blind spot with head check

Lane changing review- what are the steps? Check traffic situation (mirrors) Signal Check mirrors again Head check (covers blind spot) Thought Question: Why should you still head check even if you know there are no vehicles behind you? - - you do not want to lose the habit of head checking. If you stop doing it, it won’t develop into a habit. (Safe driving is all about developing safe driving habits)

determining the safest and most efficient lane to drive in Lane Strategy Let's now consider determining the safest and most efficient lane to drive in Good lane strategies (planning ahead) will result in safer and less stressful driving.

Closer to oncoming cars Escape paths are minimized Can be delayed behind left turners Why is the left lane of a 4 lane road not as safe or as efficient as the right lane?

No right turn sign just lit up -- train coming However, at certain intersections you are better off not being in the right lane.

What is the purpose of this center lane? For left turners

What might you consider doing in this situation? Change lanes

Why should you not lane change as you approach the top of a hill? Your limited sight distance prevents you from identifying potential hazards on the other side of the hill. A lane change now (with the head check) would divert your attention away from the road ahead for at least one second as you complete the head check. Wait until you can see over the hill. Why should you not lane change as you approach the top of a hill?

No, other vehicles may misinterpret the signal. This red vehicle is changing lanes through the traffic light intersection. Is it legal? No, other vehicles may misinterpret the signal.

You’re traveling at 45 mph You’re traveling at 45 mph. Give one reason why should you maintain your position here, or drop back a little? 1) You would lose your 3 second following distance. 2) By moving up your various space cushions would be lost. 3) Traffic light ahead.

Have you ever seen a vehicle run a red light? In rainy weather, begin coasting much sooner. Also, the point of no return will be further back from the light. Have you ever seen a vehicle run a red light?

Don’t take chances

You are now in the left turn lane, waiting for the green arrow You are now in the left turn lane, waiting for the green arrow. When it comes on, what should you check for, before beginning your turn? That no crossing cars are “running the red light”

- the protected left turn arrow... You’re in the left turn lane approaching the white limit line, when the light turns what are you anticipating? - the protected left turn arrow...

If on the traffic light, you get a green light and a green arrow - will you have to yield to on-coming traffic before you make your left turn? NO

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ What about vehicles still in the intersection after the light changes red? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ They are allowed to finish their turn before green light traffic can proceed.

Before proceeding with your left turn, what must you do? Wait for “left over” turners to finish their turns.

What if you were driving that vehicle in the intersection right now? The light has turned red. Proceed and cautiously finish turn.

Also, can you legally turn left into either lane? Some states allow it, some do not. Like the white van, you’ll be turning left onto a four lane road. Why will you not automatically follow it? No protected arrow

No. You are not allowed to cross the solid white lines. Is it okay to pull up along this vehicle and attempt a right turn on red?

You’re intending to turn right at this traffic light, what will you encounter after your turn? Railroad tracks Railroad tracks

U-turns _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ When attempting a U-turn at an intersection, you must be sure it is not prohibited and no one approaching within 200 feet. U-turns What about vehicles still in the intersection after the light changes red? _ _ _ _ _ It can also be done whenever a stop sign protects you from on-coming traffic. It can also be done across a double yellow line (unless prohibited) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ You must start in the left lane, but you may finish in any lane. Before turning, scan the intersection for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles.

This judgment skill takes time and experience to develop. Sometimes crossing or turning left onto a four lane road (without a traffic light) can become a real challenge. Continually check both ways searching for a suitable gap.

You want to turn left. When traffic clears, Under normal circumstances, yes, but this electric sign came on, prohibiting a left turn until the train passes. You want to turn left. When traffic clears, will you proceed and complete your turn?

Modern Technology in traffic signals

On this road you might normally consider signaling now for a turn at the light But, why should you delay your signal in this situation (you want to turn right at the light) Cars on right in might pull out in front of you, misinterpreting your signal.

Vehicles on the right may pull out expecting you to turn right. Your lane is slowing down, what is a potential danger of lane changing to the right at this time?

Does your windshield give you the answer? However, do not change lanes until clearing intersection. You are now searching for an opportunity to ____________________ Lane change Why ?

We are driving straight ahead, when the light turns green who must yield the right of way? They should

YES – WE MUST YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY You’re in the left turn lane, do you have to legally wait for on-coming cars before turning? YES – WE MUST YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY

All vehicles have a green light, who must yield the right of way in this situation? (vehicles A and C want to turn left) - - - - B A - - - - Vehicles A and C must wait for vehicles B and D (yellow vehicles) to clear the intersection. - - - - C - - D

All vehicles have a green light, who must yield the right of way in this situation? (vehicles A and C want to turn left) - - - - A - - - - Vehicles A and C must wait for vehicles B and D (yellow vehicles) to clear the intersection. - - - - C - - Now that the yellow vehicles proceeding straight have cleared…who is next to go? Both A and C can go at same time as they should not conflict with each other.

STOP and THINK Did you see this vehicle behind the green van? Look carefully Be sure Frequently there are cars obscured behind other vehicles STOP and THINK You’re waiting to turn left at this intersection, after which vehicle will you go?

We must, right turners are allowed to go first You want to turn left, that white SUV is signaling to turn right, who must yield?

A quick lane change in front of you. Sometimes one lane is moving faster than another lane, what should you anticipate? A quick lane change in front of you.

Vehicles behind it attempting to change lanes. This car at the intersection is waiting to turn left, what should you be predicting?

What have you noticed here?

Cars pulling in and out. Two fast food restaurants are both up ahead on the right. What are you predicting?

Will the green arrow stay on? What will happen when the arrow does turn-off? on-coming cars will begin proceeding You are moving in the left turn lane, what are you thinking about as you get closer to your turn? Will the green arrow stay on?

You are stuck behind left turner, with no protected arrow You want to go straight at this intersection, what mistake have you made here? You are stuck behind left turner, with no protected arrow

Besides a stale green light, what else are you thinking about? Will that SUV attempt right turn on red? Besides a stale green light, what else are you thinking about?

-- and they did pull out causing us to brake…

Quiz time…how much do you remember? End of 4 Lane Quiz time…how much do you remember?

so you will not lose the habit check the intersection 1)1) One of the most important strategies with 4 lane driving is proper following distance. Under ideal conditions try to stay at least ___ seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. 3 1)2) Since many drivers do not make head checks, be careful not to linger in their ____________ blindspots 1)3) When lane changing, why should you still head check the blind spot even if you know there are no cars there? _________________________ so you will not lose the habit 1)4) Generally. on a four lane road, it is safer and more efficient to drive in the ________ lane. right 1)5) When approaching a green light, look for _____________ right turners on red 6) You are at stopped at a red light waiting for the light to change. When it changes, you should _________________ before proceeding because someone might ____________ check the intersection run the red light

1) 7) Under what circumstance should you delay your turn signal as you approach your intended turn? __________________________________ - when it might mislead another driver of my intention 1 8) You are in the left lane of a four lane road. If the right lane is backed up with slow traffic (but you are moving well), what should you predict? ___________________________ a possible quick lane change in front of us 9) You are moving in the left turn lane toward the intersection (the left arrow is on), what are you thinking about as you get closer to your turn? _________________ will the arrow stay on? 1) 10) If while waiting out in the intersection for on-coming traffic to clear, the traffic light turns yellow and then red, what do you do? _______________________________ check the intersection and finish turn when clear

End of 4 Lane