1. lesson 15.4 RURAL SITUATIONS YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER
In rural areas, you may encounter vehicles, animals, and situations that you don’t normally encounter in city driving. Apply the same driving techniques in rural areas that you would in city areas.
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2. Explain how to safely deal with slow-moving vehicles.
OBJECTIVE

3. Slow-Moving Vehicles
A tractor, for example, is a slow-moving vehicle. It is unable to travel at highway speed.
The difference in speeds between an approaching vehicle and a slow-moving vehicle ahead of it often causes hazardous situations.

4. If you find yourself closing to less than 3 seconds behind a slow-moving vehicle, slow down and prepare to pass.
The red and orange triangle sign mounted on slow-moving vehicles helps drivers identify them quickly even from a distance.

5. What following distance should you maintain behind this tractor and why? What lane position should you get into and why?

6. Explain precautions to take when encountering animals on or along the roadway.
OBJECTIVE

7. Animals
Each year, millions of dollars in property damage occur when animals and motor vehicles collide.
Hitting a large animal can cause serious injury or death to you, your passengers, and the animal.

8. If you see one animal, anticipate the presence of more and stop.
Do not get out and attempt to hurry any stragglers across the road. You are much safer in your vehicle.

9. Do not risk a more serious collision braking hard or swerving to try to avoid the animal.

10. safe driving tip
Use the Horn Have you heard the expression “like a deer caught in headlights”? If you see a deer while driving at night, sound your horn. Don’t use your headlights. Deer tend to freeze whereas loud sounds will more likely cause them to flee.

11. Describe two actions you can take to allow hazards to separate when meeting oncoming traffic.
OBJECTIVE

12. Meeting Oncoming Traffic
Very little space separates you from oncoming traffic on a two-way road.
With traffic moving at higher speeds, a head-on collision can cause serious damage, injury, or death.
Try to adjust your timing so that the oncoming vehicle will approach you when you have the least risk of collision.

13. Separate the hazards in or next to your path of travel.
Adjust your speed to deal with only one hazard at a time.
Slowing down is often your best option.

14. What actions should you take in order to let the hazards separate?
The copyright holder has not granted permission to display this photograph in a downloadable format. You may view the photograph in the Drive Right Presentation for this lesson on your Keys to Teaching Success disc.

15. If you are meeting a line of vehicles, slow down and move into lane position 3 to provide a little more space between you and the approaching vehicles.
Oncoming drivers may cross into your lane because of a blowout or hitting or swerving to avoid a pothole, animal, or other debris on the road.

16. Meeting Slow-Moving Vehicles
When you see a slow-moving or stopped vehicle, check behind you to see if another vehicle is trying to pass.
Check your right-front zone and move into lane position 3, or onto the road shoulder if necessary.

17. Meeting at Night
Be alert when driving at night. Keep your windshield clean.
At night, headlights shining over the crest of a hill can warn you of an approaching vehicle.
Do not look directly into the headlights because you could be temporarily blinded.
Look at the edge of the road at the white line to help you maintain position in your lane.

18. Explain steps to take to safely deal with hazards posed by railroad crossings.
OBJECTIVE

19. Railroad Crossings
Many railroad crossings do not have flashing lights and gates. Slow and check left and right before crossing.

20. lesson 15.4 review
What actions can you take to avoid conflict with an animal you spot ahead along the roadway?
Describe two actions you can take to separate hazards when meeting traffic.