Driving Environments

Rural Driving  The speed limit on rural roads when not posted is 35 mph.  Many rural roads are two-lane, two-way roadways.  Curves may be sharper and hills may be steeper than on many city streets.  These roads can be made of concrete, asphalt, gravel, or dirt surfaces. These roads may or may not have a shoulder.  Usually rural roads are poorly lit or not lit at all.  Some rural roads may have drainage ditches alongside of them.

Rural Road

Hazards On Rural Roads  Higher speed, fewer controls  Slow moving vehicles  Sight obstructions  Animals and objects

A Deer In The Headlights

Distance Rules on Rural Roads  Keeping an adequate following distance is the easier and most simple way to avoid an accident.  The space in front of the vehicle is the easiest space to control.  To control this space use the two-second rule for following distance.  The two-second rule is for good road and weather conditions.  When conditions are not ideal increase the following distance to three to five seconds.

Urban Streets  Are usually covered with people and traffic.  Expect to encounter pedestrians anywhere and everywhere.  Never assume pedestrians will see you or that they are going to obey traffic rules and signals.  Expect the unexpected at all times and places.  This is a great example of the “Predict” aspect of the S.I.P.D.E. process.

Urban Street

Slow Or Irregular Traffic Flow On Urban Streets  Cars stopping next to parked cars.  Park cars pulling into traffic.  Road work or construction.  Disabled vehicle.  Accident.  Special events (ex. crawfish boil, concert)  Pedestrians  Any object that restricts traffic flow.

Traffic Jam

Sight Obstructions On Urban Streets  Parked or double parked vehicles  Buses  Trucks  Vans  Smog / pollution  Buildings

When Driving In The City  Scan on to two blocks ahead.  Check traffic in all directions.  Keep alert to tail lights in front of you.  Expect pedestrians to enter the roadway.  Be alert for emergency vehicles.  Always be ready to stop.  Be aware of entrances and exits.  Drive with low-beam headlights.  Give yourself extra time.  Use the S.I.P.D.E. process to help identify risks.

Proper Lane Placement In An Urban Setting  Keep as wide a margin of space as possible between your car and parked cars.  Avoid driving side by side with other cars on multiple lane streets.  Keep as much space as you can between your car and vehicles in the on-coming lanes.  Before entering an intersection, make sure there are no cars or people blocking your intended path of travel.

Limited & Controlled Access Highways  Permits driving long distances without interruption, with minimum fatigue and maximum safety.  There are not stops and no cross traffic.  Allows vehicles to enter and exit only at specific places.  They include freeways, interstates, parkways, turnpikes, expressways, and other multi-lane highways.  Entrances and exits may be miles apart.  Interchanges are points where drivers can enter or leave the expressway or connect with another highway.

Limited & Controlled Access Highway