1. UNIT 3 Foundations of Effective Driving
CHAPTER 10
INTERSECTIONS

2. LESSON 1 – BASIC INTERSECTIONS
Managing visibility, time and space at intersections:
Scan for signs, pedestrians and other vehicles
Scan for areas of blocked vision (blind intersection)
Traffic on one road may have different traffic controls
It takes about 6 seconds to cross an intersection so make sure you leave plenty of space
Never speed up to beat a traffic signal
A yellow light means slow down and stop if you can safely do so
Always watch for drivers “running” red lights or not properly giving the right-of-way

3. Types of intersections:
T-intersection – one road ends and forms a “T” with a crossroad
Cross intersection – where two roads cross
Four-way intersections – junctions with a stop sign and a sign saying “4-way-stop”

4. Tips for navigating toll plazas:
If using change, keep it easily accessible
Read the signs as you approach the toll plaza
Be sure to choose an open lane by looking for a green signal well in advance
Be especially alert to drivers ahead of you who switch lanes suddenly
After you have paid the toll, wait for the go- ahead signal before exiting the toll
If using easy pass, slow down (15 mph) when going through the toll booth
Always slow down when approaching a tollbooth

5. LESSON 2 – RAILROAD CROSSINGS
To safely drive through a railroad crossing:
Do not try to cross when a train is coming
Slow down as you approach a railroad crossing and proceed with caution if safe to go
Look for warning lights, signals, sounds and lowering gates
Look both ways when crossing (never solely rely on warning equipment)
When a train is coming, stop no closer than 15 feet
from the railroad crossing
Always wait for the vehicle ahead
of you to completely clear the tracks
before you cross
Never stop on the tracks

6. LESSON 3 - ROUNDABOUTS
Roundabout – traffic circles which control traffic through certain intersections
All traffic is directed in
one direction (counter
clockwise)
Drivers exit where
they need to

7. Driving safely through a roundabout:
Slow down as you approach, turn on your right turn signal
Look for yield signs (usually traffic in circle has the right-of-way but not always)
Once in the roundabout, go in the direction of traffic
One-lane roundabouts:
Look for yield sign
Look for a one way sign on the center island
Watch for pedestrians
Use right turn signal
Enter circle when safe

8. Two-lane roundabouts:
Look for yield sign
Look for dashed yield lines
Usually traffic in the circle has the right of way
Yield to pedestrians
If you enter in the inside lane, stay in the inside lane and exit on the inside lane
If you enter in the outside lane, stay in the outside lane and exit on the inside lane
Be aware of traffic in lane next to you
Speed should be 20 mph or less as posted

9. LESSON 4 – COMPLEX INTERSECTIONS
Complex intersection – where two major roadways cross paths (ex. Rte. 35/70 and Rte. 34)
Multiple turning lanes
Turn arrow signals (usually left)
At least 64 intersecting points where vehicles can make contact with one another
Drivers and pedestrians may be obeying different signs and signals
In the U.S., almost 1 million crashes with injuries occur at or within an intersection at a cost of approximately $40 billion per year

10. Side-impact – when one vehicle hits another vehicle from the side
1/3 of all deaths occur in side-impact crashes
Most often happens at intersections
Rear-end –
75% of all rear-end crashes involve a car hitting a car stopping or already stopped from behind
The elderly:
Have the most trouble dealing with complex intersections
About 1/2 of fatal crashes at intersections involve people age 80 or older

11. LESSON 5 - INTERCHANGES
Interchanges – where one major highway crosses another road
Through lanes – lanes continuing straight through an interchange (drivers staying on the same highway)
Speed-change lanes – special lanes alongside the main travel lanes which allow a vehicle to reduce speed to exit or increase speed to enter
Ramps – move vehicles from road to another
Slow down to 15 to 45 mph
Watch for sharp curves

12. Types of interchanges:
Diamond interchange – lower traffic interchanges without special constraints
Cloverleaf interchange – cars change direction via “loops” in the roadway. It is typically used where a highway intersects a busy street
Trumpet interchanges – simple way to end one freeway at another (Rte. 18 meets with Rte. 138)