Chapter 2 Administrative and Traffic Laws Administrative Laws Right-of-Way Rules Speed Limits Risks Notes and Study Guide

What Is An Administrative Law? Administrative laws govern the procedures for issuing driver’s licenses,learner’s permits, and registering & titling motor vehicles.

Administrative Laws help you to: Get a driver’s license by: Taking & passing the knowledge, vision and road tests Paying the fees at each step of the process. The State has the authority to suspend or revoke your permit or driver’s license. A suspension is for a specific period of time, usually 30 to 90 days and must be less than 365 days. Revoked means the state takes away your permit or driver’s license for a year or more. After the specified time is complete, you may apply for a new license, after meeting all the criteria.

Administrative Laws Continued… Violations in the Point System: Various traffic violations cost a number of points, depending on their seriousness The points are put on the driver’s record If a driver has been suspended, and continues to get points after they start driving again, they can have their license revoked Some violations are so serious the driver can have their license revoked immediately on the spot These very serious violations include: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident where there has been an injury and using a vehicle in a crime

Administrative Laws Continued Vehicle Registration: When you purchase a car you must register it with the state You’ll receive a registration form and license plates simultaneously You must provide the name of your insurance company in order to get a registration It must be renewed every year or every two years Registration must be kept in your car Certificate of Title: State issues title when you buy a car Title proves you own the car Anyone selling a car must supply the title to the buyer or loan agency The title lists the name of the owner, the make, style, VIN, and the engine number of the car Title is NEVER to be kept in the car!

Administrative Laws continued: Insurance: You must show you are financially able to pay for damages you may cause if you are in a crash which may result in death, injury, or property damage to yourself or others. In NJ you must purchase liability!

What Is The Right-Of-Way? As a driver you will have to yield the right-of-way, or let others go before you go. Give them immediate use of the roadway. Never assume you have the right-of-way, it is always given to someone. Right-of-Way laws protect drivers from collisions Right-of-Way laws are the same in all states.

When Should You Yield the Right-of-Way? Any emergency vehicle, with lights and/or sirens on. People who are blind and are carrying a white cane or using a guide dog, no matter where they cross. Yield to any pedestrians at crosswalks. On a non-divided highway, all drivers must stop when a school bus is loading or unloading children. When signaling a move left or right into a lane being used by other drivers. Yield to any vehicle that is passing or appears to be so close that it presents a danger.

TYPES of speed limits Posted speed limits - you can not safely drive faster or slower, than the shown speed. A fixed speed limit is the maximum and minimum speed you can drive. You can never legally drive faster then the shown speed. If you drive faster than the limit, you can be issued a ticket. You can also be ticketed for driving too slow. Slow drivers can cause traffic tie-ups and congestion.

OTHER TYPES OF SPEED LIMITS Advisory speed limit warns you to adjust your speed on roads that are not straight or flat. Sharp curve warning sign combined with a square yellow speed limit sign advises you of the maximum speed for that curve. It is highly recommended to obey. Some states have day and night speed limits. They may lower the speed limit at night because it is more dangerous to drive at night.

Basic Speed Law: All states have a basic speed law in their traffic laws. No matter what the posted speed limit is, the law states to always drive at a speed reasonable and proper for existing conditions.

High Risk Behavior Examples: Inattention & distractions - are the leading cause of crashes - such as eating, drinking, tuning on the radio, talking to others in vehicle, texting or talking on the cell phone Aggressive driving - such as speeding, running red lights or stop signs, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, unsafe passing Reckless driving - endangering other drivers by improper driving acts, such as driving under the influence, sleeping while driving, failure to yield right-of-way

Maintain a Responsible Attitude Show responsibility and respect to self and other while driving Be courteous to other roadway users, even if you are angry Concentrate on driving safely Maintain a calm demeanor Know the consequences of your actions!

ROAD RAGE Expect people to make mistakes Know mistakes can be unintentional Delay driving Have patience Breathe deeply and count to 10 Turn on music Never challenge or make eye contact with someone already raging Report aggressive driving by calling *77. A phenomenon that affects all drivers - not just men It’s an emotional crisis which happens behind the wheel It can be prevented! 27% of all accidents are a result of it. There are ways to prevent/handle road rage …….

Some ways to tame your own ROAD RAGE Remember driving is not a competitive sport. Stay alert and check side and rearview mirrors Take a deep breath and safely get out of the way Allow plenty of time and recognize anger will not get you there faster or clear up traffic It is not your job to change other people’s bad habits You can only control your own attitude to avoid conflict.

Places to go if you are a victim of ROAD RAGE Pull off the nearest exit that is well lit and in public area Do not get out of the vehicle Call 911 If you do get out your vehicle yell FIRE Go to a hospital or police station

Ways to avoid being a TARGET of Road Rage Unless you are disabled, do not park in a space reserved for the disabled Make sure your door does not hit the car parked next to you If you are driving slowly pull over and allow traffic to pass Avoid stopping in the road to talk to a pedestrian or other driver Do not make obscene gestures, even if someone makes them at you Use your horn only when necessary - do not be obnoxious Do not switch lanes without signaling Do not take up more than one parking spot Turn down your radio so you do not distract others in nearby cars Never tailgate