Chapter 15 Driving in Rural Areas

What is a Rural Roadway? Any roadway that has wide open spaces and less traffic are considered rural roadways. Rural roadway collisions account for nearly 2x’s the amount of deaths than urban collisions.

Speed Major factor in rural driving collisions. Affects the following: Line of Sight Stopping Distance Vehicle Control Amount of Damage and Injury in a Collision Line of sight – Faster you are going the less time you have to look at something. Line of sight restrictions will come up quicker as well. Stopping Distance – Change in speed = square of the stopping distance (2x’s speed = 4x’s stopping dist.) Vehicle Control – Easier to lose control at higher speeds with sudden movements of the wheel. Amount of Damage – Force of impact increases with speed which increases the amount of damage and the severity of injuries.

Traffic Controls Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings Alert you to the following: Hazards you can’t yet identify Major intersections ahead Unusual or hazardous conditions Traffic channeled into reduced space Signs, signals, and roadway markings direct, regulate, inform, and warn drivers.

Facts and Figures for Rural Roads Vehicles leaving the road and hitting a fixed object account for 1/3 of all motor vehicle deaths. Most of these involve a single vehicle. Approximately 42% of all roadside deaths occur on curves. About 1/3 of all roadside collisions involve vehicle rollovers and 1/3 involve occupant ejections.

Driving on Two Lane Roads Things to consider: Curves Advisory Speed Limits Hills Intersections Curves people tend to approach the curves at too high speed. When approaching a curve you should slow before the curve not while in the curve. Advisory Speed Limits = these are suggested speeds when conditions are ideal for the curve. Natural forces try to push you out of the curve, meaning you car wants to continue to go straight. Hills – restrict line of sight. As you approach hill move to the right side of your lane. This will help give you more time to react to oncoming traffic if they have crossed over the center line for some reason. Intersections – Identify if intersection is controlled or uncontrolled. Identify other users, possible hazards, points of conflict, line of sight restrictions, and roadway conditions. Treat driveways as intersections. An intersection is anywhere when two roads meet/cross each other. A driveway is a private road, therefore where it meets a main road it is an intersection.

Following Distance Rural settings that need increased following distances: (greater than 3 seconds) Being tailgated Downhill slope Following motorcycles Following snowplows Pulling a trailer Following a large vehicle (truck, RV, bus) Wet/Icy road conditions Keeping a 3 second following distance keeps your front zone open.

Multilane Rural Roads Entering a multilane road: Check target area and front zones. Enter nearest lane in your direction Accelerate to the appropriate speed. Remember a left turns requires a larger gap in traffic than a right turn. (the more lanes you cross the larger the gap you need)

Video Segment The IPDE process in Rural Areas

Passing When deciding to pass consider: No-passing Situations: Uphill road Intersections Within 100’ of RR On a 2 lane bridge. Curves Vehicle ahead traveling at speed limit Line of sight is restricted More than one vehicle ahead When approaching a no-passing zone When oncoming traffic is too close When you will be turning or stopping soon When deciding to pass consider: Is it worth it to pass? Is it legal to pass? Is it safe to pass? Remember passing does not give an exemption to the speed limit!!!

Slow Moving Vehicles SMVs are identified by the orange triangle with red border Video “In the Blink of an Eye” (might want to take notes b/c you may see some of this on a quiz)

Animals Anticipate more than one animal Evaluate front zones for line of sight restrictions and other animals Check rear zone to make sure if is safe for you to slow/stop quickly Check left-front and right-front zones for escape route

Separating Hazards Adjust speed Meet where the most space is available Change lane position to create more space

For Quiz Should be able to: Explain the features of a rural roadway List what roadway markings and signs alert drivers to (4 things) Define Advisory Speed Limit Explain how to enter a multilane road List 7 of the 11 No passing situations