1. Negotiating Intersections
Chapter 7
Negotiating Intersections

2. 7.1 Searching Intersections

3. Intersection Characteristics
Street signs and street lights
Roadway markings
Crossing traffic
Parked vehicles on crossed streets
Turning traffic
Traffic stopping
Power lines

4. Types of Intersections+ X Y T
Traffic Circle – intersections that forms when several roadways meet at a circle

5. Approaching an Intersection
Widen your search pattern when you are within 4-6 seconds of the intersection
Look for open and closed zones

6. Point-Of-No-Return
Point beyond which a driver can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection.
Under normal conditions, that point is 2 seconds from the intersection.
See page 132.

7. Don’t forget you cannot make lane changes within an intersection!

8. STOPPING at an Intersection
Sometimes you may have to stop before entering an intersection
If you have made a complete stop make sure you check your front zone before you begin moving again!
* If there is a vehicle that stopped in front of you, wait one second just incase they have to make an unpredicted stop!

9. Controlled Intersection
There is either a sign or
signal at every approach.

10. Controlled Intersection w/Signs
Two types of signs
STOP
YIELD
STOP – come to a full stop
YIELD – slow and yield the right of way to other vehicles.

11. Controlled Intersection w/ Signals
Typical lights are RED, YELLOW (AMBER), and GREEN
Some lights at intersection may also blink or have arrows.

12. Light Signals Stale Green Light Has been green for awhile
May turn yellow at any moment
Fresh Green Light
Just turned green, but does not guarantee that it is safe
Yellow Light
Stop if you can. Will turn red soon!
Red Light
You must STOP!

13. Left on RED Some states allow left turn on Red.
NJ only allows it if there is a green arrow allowing you to go.

14. Controlled Railroad Crossing
Has red lights along with crossing gates.
You MUST STOP before the gates.

15. Uncontrolled Intersection
Has no signs or signals to regulate traffic.
Usually found in areas of light traffic.

16. Approaching Uncontrolled Intersections
Slow down and identify and open and closed zone.
Be prepared to STOP at any moment!
Never assume that the other driver will yield!

17. Negotiating Circles Always yield to cars already in the circle.
Vehicles in a circle will be coming from your left.
While in the circle, always be alert of vehicles entering from the right.

18. Uncontrolled Railroad Crossings
Does not have flashing red lights or crossing gates.
Stopping distances of trains differ.
You can guarantee that it will take longer for a train to stop then a car.
Slowdown and be prepared to STOP!

19. Partially Controlled Intersections
At least one approach to and intersection has either a YIELD sign or STOP sign. or

20. Determining RIGHT-of-WAY
Describes the privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of a roadway.
You will often have to YIELD , by letting others go first, to be safe,

21. Situations in which you must Yield
Yield at STOP signs to
Pedestrians in or near the crosswalk
All traffic on the through street
Yield at fresh green lights to
Pedestrians still in the crosswalk
Vehicles still in the intersection
Yield coming from and alley, driveway, or private roadway to
Pedestrians before reaching the sidewalk
All vehicles on the street.

22. Situation Continued Yield at all YIELD signs to
Pedestrians and vehicles in the street
Yield to emergency vehicles
Sounding a siren and/or lights
Yield when turning left at any intersection to
Pedestrians in your turn path and oncoming vehicles

23. Situation Continued Yield at 4-way stops to
Pedestrians in or near crosswalks
Vehicles that arrive first
Vehicles from the right if you arrive at the same time
Yield at uncontrolled intersections
Pedestrians
Vehicles in the intersection
Vehicles from the right if you arrived at the same time

24. Judging Gap Size Gap – the distance between vehicles. Go to pg. 144
Few examples:
To cross traffic 4-5 seconds
To turn right and join traffic 6 seconds
To turn left and join traffic 7 seconds

25. You need different size gaps depending on…
the maneuver you plan to make
The speed of traffic