40. Lane Changes, Passing, & Parking

41. LANE CHANGES If you need to change lanes, do the following:
Signal so other drivers know what you are planning to do.
Check your Mirrors; inside mirror first then the outside mirror on the side you’ll be changing lanes.
Look Over your shoulder in the direction you’ll be changing lanes to make sure that blind area is clear.
Go if it is clear

42. S.M.O.G.
S - Signal M – Check your Mirrors O – Look Over your shoulder G – Go if it is clear
When your lane change is complete, cancel your signal and
adjust your speed

43. Tips for a Good Lane Change
Check the blind spot.
Find or wait for a large enough gap to move into.
Maintain a constant speed; traffic behind you does not want you to slow down!
Maintain lane position while quickly looking over your shoulder.

44. SHARED TURN LANES Also called the “center lane”.
Used for turning LEFT from the street into a parking lot or business.
Also used as a “chicken lane” when traffic is heavy. When turning left from a side street a driver can pull out into the center lane and wait for an opening to join the flow of traffic
Always check to be sure another driver is not intending to enter the share lane at the same time.
Stop in the shared turn lane and wait to merge safely with traffic

45. Tips for Using Shared Turn Lanes
Signal for 5 seconds before entering the center lane from the street.
Signal when exiting the center lane into traffic.
The law does not allow you to “travel” in a shared turn (or any turn) lane.
You cannot use the center lane to pass other vehicles

46. PASSING AND BEING PASSED
Why is passing permitted in the right diagram but not in the left diagram?

47. Why would you need to pass another vehicle?

48. Nationally, passing accounts for almost 20% of all traffic fatalities!
Why are passing maneuvers risky?
Impatience
Illegal actions
Lack of knowledge about how much time and space is needed to complete a passing maneuver
Do you REALLY need to pass?

49. When preparing to pass, ask these questions
PASSING
When preparing to pass, ask these questions
What will be gained?
Will traffic ahead present additional risks?
Will traffic ahead be essentially the same?
Will there be a better, safer opportunity to pass later?
What are the risks?
Is the pass legal?
Traffic is moving at 55 mph. Will it be safe to pass the truck ahead?

50. Determining Passing Time/Space Needs
Your speed is 40 mph
The car you want to pass is going 30 mph
You are at your pre-pass position of 2 seconds behind the vehicle
You will need 30 seconds to complete the pass
At 50 mph you will need 16 seconds
At 60mph you will need 19 seconds

51. Determining Passing Time/Space NeedsB A C
If oncoming traffic is traveling at 60 mph, the combined distance needed to pass at 60 mph is 38 seconds. That’s 3,344 feet - equaling two-thirds of a mile!
The law requires drivers to complete the pass within _____ feet of an on-coming driver
200

52. PASSING TIME/SPACE NEEDS
It takes even longer to pass a vehicle if you are going uphill
Passing a larger vehicle takes more time as well. B A C

53. Idaho Passing Laws
Passing on the right is only permitted when two or more lanes are traveling in the same direction
On a two lane road, pass only to the left of the vehicle
Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection unless indicated by signs or markings
Do not pass within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, unless indicated by a traffic control device
Do not pass within 100 feet of a bridge or tunnel

54. Idaho Passing Laws, continued
Passing is not permitted:
If a solid yellow line is on your side of the road
When a sign indicates a no passing zone
When a school bus is stopped to load or unload passengers while on a two lane road
If the vehicle must leave the pavement or road to pass
When a vehicle ahead is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross
If you must exceed the speed limit in order to pass
If the pass can’t be completed within 200 feet of an approaching vehicle

55. PREPARING TO PASS Check front, side and rear zones
Confirm conditions are safe to pass
Move to lane position 2 (left side of lane)
Check target area, blind spot and rearview mirror
Signal 100 feet or 5 seconds before the pass

56. PASSING AND LANE RETURN
Accelerate smoothly into the next lane (Increase speed at least 10 mph faster than vehicle being passed but NOT over the posted speed limit)
Remember that you in the oncoming traffic lane!
Lane Return
Return to lane when the headlights of the passed vehicle can be seen in your rearview mirror
Signal, check blind spot
Cancel signal

57. Tips for Safe Passing Signal for 5 seconds before passing
The vehicle you are passing should be 10mph or more under the posted speed limit
Do not slow down during the passing maneuver
Use smooth steering motions
Pass where it is legal – watch for No Passing Zones
Do not exceed the speed limit
Return to the lane only when you can see the vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror

58. If you drive it – you gotta park it!
Parking
If you drive it – you gotta park it!

59. Parking Laws Parking is not permitted: On sidewalks
On the street side of any parked vehicle; known as “double parking”
In intersections
Within 50 feet of railroad tracks
On bridges or overpasses
In front of a driveway
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
Within 20 feet of a crosswalk
Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal
Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway
On any controlled-access highway (freeway)
Where prohibited by signs or a red, yellow, or white “no parking” curb

60. Entering Angled Parking
Possibly the easiest method of parking – simply swing a little wide and use reference points to park evenly between cars on both sides.

61. Exiting Angled Parking
Know which way you plan to drive forward once backed out.
Don’t turn the wheel until your front end can clear the blue car.
Move slowly and look for pedestrians, especially small children.

62. Perpendicular Forward Parking
More difficult than angled parking because your car must turn a perfect 90 degrees and slide between two vehicles (which aren’t usually as far apart than the ones shown here).
Again, swing wide and use reference points to park evenly between cars on both sides.

63. Exiting Perpendicular Forward Parking
Watch for pedestrians, especially young children who may be below your rear window or trunk!
Shift to REVERSE.
Back out slowly.
Crank the wheel once your front end clears the bumper of both cars.
Shift to DRIVE (or 1st) and slowly drive forward. 1 2

64. Backing into Perpendicular Parking
ADVANTAGES
Provides a better view when leaving the space
Avoids backing out into traffic
More likely to be let into the traffic flow when exiting
Reduced risk of hitting something or being hit
ANY DISADVANTAGES?
45 Degrees 1 2

65. Easy! Parallel Parking PROCEDURE:
TIPS:
Select a space that is at least 6’ longer than your vehicle.
Flash your brake lights and signal a right turn.
PROCEDURE:
Line up your back bumper with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper.
When your seat is even with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper, straighten your wheels.
When your front bumper is even with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper, turn your wheels sharply to the left. Back slowly, looking out the rear window.
Use the steering wheel to adjust the car so it is parallel to and less than 18” from the curb.
Straighten the wheels and even the spaces between the front and rear vehicles.
Easy!

66. Exiting Parallel Parking
TIPS:
Back up before pulling out. This increases the space for pulling out.
Signal left.
Check blind spot.
Crank wheel to the left and then enter traffic slowly.

67. Parking Uphill With a Curb
Crank the front wheels LEFT and let the front right tire roll back into the curb. Then put the car in PARK and set the emergency brake.
The goal is to always use the FRONT tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic!

68. Parking Uphill Without a Curb
Crank the front wheels RIGHT, put the car in PARK and set the emergency brake.
In this case, there is no curb, so the car will roll off the road and not into traffic (if for some reason it rolls).

69. Parking Downhill With/Without a Curb
Crank the front wheels right, put the car in PARK and set the emergency brake.
The right front tire will hold the car in place against the curb.

70. Parking Lot Strategies
Obey speed limits
Follow the directions of the signs and markings
Do not drive diagonally across parking lot lane markings
Be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists, roller-bladers and skateboarders
Avoid tight parking spaces
Avoid competing for a parking space
Pull into the space far enough that the front and rear of the vehicle are not in the flow of traffic
Position the vehicle properly in the space
Secure the vehicle, locking valuables in the trunk
Search all directions when exiting the parking space
Watch for drivers backing out
The high school parking lot may be the most dangerous place you will drive!

71. Parking Garage Strategies
Watch for backup lights on other vehicles
Observe and follow all signs
Stay to the right
Use headlights in dark garages
Be aware of people in and around the garage
When leaving the parking garage be aware - approach the vehicle with key in hand, look around and in the vehicle for unwanted passengers
Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians

72. Airport Parking Strategies
Parking at most airport terminal buildings is usually not allowed; parking is for temporary drop off and pick up of passengers only.
A vehicle may be towed if the vehicle is left unattended at a terminal.
Decide if you need short term, long term, or metered parking.
Place the parking receipt in a secure location inside the vehicle.

73. Handicapped Parking
The handicapped parking symbol indicates parking spaces are reserved for a handicapped person
Vehicles displaying this symbol on their license plate or a special card in or around the dashboard may park in handicapped spaces
Non-handicapped drivers are prohibited from parking in handicapped parking areas and may be fined ($100.00) for violations
A handicapped person may park automobiles displaying the handicapped symbol in public parking spaces without paying and the time is unlimited

74. Summary
Changing lanes, parking, and passing are all skills you will need to practice to avoid embarrassing situations like double parking…