Driving in City Traffic

 This chapter discusses the skills necessary to navigate driving situations in city traffic.

 What are some ways in which city traffic could be different from driving in other areas?  What can we use to reduce the risks presented by city traffic?

 2 main reasons for city driving being more difficult are: 1. Traffic Density 2. Issues with Time, Distance, and Speed

 Recall of information  You will have 10 seconds to look at the next slide.  After the slide is shown you will be asked to recall the numbers from smallest to largest.

 Please write down the numbers.  Did anyone get:  The 1 st set?  1 st and 2 nd set?  1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd set?  All 4 sets?  Why was this difficult?  This time you will see four numbers. How many times does the number 4 appear?

 How many times does the number 4 appear?  Is it easier to pick out specific items if you know what you are looking for?

 Identify  Be aware of aggressive drivers and distracted drivers  Predict  Possible points of conflict to gain time to respond  Decide  Change speed and communicate to create time and space  Execute  Carry out you decision in a smooth deliberate manner

 How far behind another vehicle should we be (in terms of time)?  How do you check your following distance?  3 Second Rule 3 Second Rule

 What might be some situations in which you would need to increase your following distance to more than 3 seconds?  Beginning driver  Being tailgated  Approaching a LOS restriction  Any poor traction setting  Heavy load/vehicle  Driver ahead seems unsure  Following a motorcycle

 Define Tailgating.  Following someone too closely (less than a 3 second following distance)  Managing a tailgater  Increase your following distance to 4 sec. or more.  Move slightly to the right.  Signal early for turns and stops.  Change lanes or pull over and let them go by.

 How far ahead of your path of travel should you be looking?  ½ - 1 block in heavy traffic in a city setting

 Search your target area to find traffic signals.  Red light  Slow and prepare to stop.  Green light  “Fresh”  “Stale” Cover the Brake  What else at the intersection could help you determine if the light is “stale” or not?

 Scan Sidewalk to sidewalk  Identify signs, signals, and roadway markings  Be aware of the roadway features and conditions  Identify the other users  Identify intersections and driveways so you know where traffic can come from

 Cover the brake  Look for drivers inside the car (through windows)  Pay attention to:  Tail lights  Presence of exhaust (cold weather)  Front wheel position  Be prepared to change lane position to the left  Video Video

 What should you do if an oncoming car enters your lane? How would you avoid a collision?  Slow Down  Steer Right  Honk horn  Flash Lights  Video Demo Video Demo

 4 simple questions:  Which one is the safest?  Am I going to keep going straight?  Am I going to turn left?  Am I going to turn right?

 What can help you identify if the cross street is one-way or two-way?  Parked cars  Lane markings  Traffic flow  Signs

 Always turn from the closest lane available to the turn into the first available lane in your direction.

 Treat same as if the crossed the center line.  Steer right  Slow down  Honk  Flash lights

 Explain what are the two main factors that increase the difficulty of driving in urban settings.  Explain four ways to help you manage tailgaters.  Explain what to do to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle in your lane.  Explain how far ahead should you be scanning in an urban setting.  Explain what can you do to help you avoid a possible hazard ahead of you on your side of the road.  List 3 of the 5 items you should be looking for when driving in an urban setting.  Explain how you select which lane you should be in when driving on a multiple lane road.  Explain which lane do you turn into when turning onto a cross street.