Safe Driving: Speed Control, Passing, and Yielding

1. Chapter 4 Safe Driving Rules and Regulations Mrs. Dias

2. DO NOW • Why is speed a common factor in fatal accidents? • Why do people speed? • Think about the lines that you see on roads. What color are center lines? What color are lines on the side of the road? • Can you pass someone if lines are solid? Can you pass if lines are broken?

3. Unit 3Foundations of Effective Driving Skills and Driver Readiness

4. Unit Goal TSWBAT: • Develop an understanding of the importance of searching and giving meaning to their interaction with other drivers, pedestrians and other obstacles while driving a vehicle.

5. Lesson Objectives TSWBAT: • Differentiate between yellow and white lines on the road. • Know where to look and what to look for while driving. • Understand the difference between the various types of intersections. • Participate cooperatively in class room discussions regarding driver safety.

6. Speed Control • Exceeding the speed limit is a common cause of fatal and other types of accidents. Always obey the speed limit. A good rule is to keep up with the flow of traffic at any legal speed. • New Jersey law sets top speed limits for any given road, street, highway or freeway.

7. Speed Limits • 25 MPH - School Zone Suburban Business and Residential Areas • 35 MPH - Suburban Business and Residential Areas • 50 MPH - All other roadways • 55 MPH - Certain Highways (as posted) • 65 MPH - Certain Highways (as posted)

8. Always Slow Down: • on narrow or winding roads • at intersections or railroad crossings • on hills • at sharp or blind curves • where pedestrians or driving hazards are present • on wet or slippery roads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aOTNb_JaQg

9. Safe Corridors • The Safe Corridors Law DOUBLES fines on various state highways for a variety of driving offenses, including speeding and aggressive driving. • Highways are designated as safe based on statistics showing crash rates 50% over the state rate and 1,000 or more crashed reported over a 3 year period.

10. Passing • What is the difference between Yellow and White lines on the road? Answer: Yellow lines broken or solid separate lanes of traffic moving in different directions. White lines broken or solid separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction!

11. If both center lines are solid, is passing allowed?

12. If one center line is broken is passing allowed?

13. Passing • A motorist must know the proper lane for normal driving and how to change lanes safely! Watch for the following lane markings: • Both center lines are solid: No passing allowed • One center line is broken: Passing IS allowed only on the side with the broken line. • Both center lines are broken: Passing IS allowed on both sides. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78VUliiKbkU

14. Passing

15. Pass ONLY when safe… • Most passing should be made on the LEFT. • NJ Law prohibits passing on the right shoulder of the roadway. • All passing must be completed before the center lines are solid again.

16. Do Not Pass When… • on a hill or a curve, or at any time sight lines are impeded • at a street crossing or intersection • at a railroad crossing • on narrow bridges, or in an underpass and tunnels • when a sign prohibits passing or center lines restrict passing • when behind a vehicle that has stopped to let a pedestrian cross

17. Keep to the right • Motorists must keep to the right, except when passing. • On a multi-lane roadway, motorist must drive a vehicle as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb.

18. Yielding the Right-of-Way • A motorist should always be prepared to yield! These basic rules apply… Yield for: -Emergency vehicles -Buses (when re-entering the flow of traffic) -Postal vehicles -Motorized or mobility assistance devices (when in a crosswalk) -Other vehicles that are already in the intersection

19. Yielding the Right-of-Way • Always yield to police cars, fire engines and ambulances when they are giving warning signs, such as flashing sirens and lights. • State law requires that motorists always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

20. Entering Highways, Parkways andTurnpikes • Motorists must yield to traffic already on the roadway before moving from an acceleration lane into the proper lane. • Acceleration lanes, are extra lanes at highway entrances used by motorists to speed up to join the flow of traffic Keep the following in mind when entering a highway, parkway or turnpike: • Speed up to the flow of traffic when leaving the acceleration lane • Try to avoid coming to a complete stop in the acceleration lane • Yield to traffic and enter the right-hand lane when safe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txg6RMEYzE4

21. Leaving highways, parkways and turnpikes • In most cases the exits on highways are on the right. Watch for turnoff signs. When you near the exit there is usually an extra lane to the right. This is called a deceleration (or slow down) lane. Keep the following points in mind when leaving highways:

22. Highways, Parkways and Turnpikes Discussion: • What is the safe corridor law? • What’s the difference between a deceleration lane and an acceleration lane? • What should you do if you miss an exit? • Should you backup on an exit ramp or deceleration lane?

23. Special Highway, Parkway and Turnpike Conditions • Disabled Vehicles: when seeing a disabled vehicle ahead, a motorist should reduce speed and increase the space between his/her vehicle and the disabled vehicle. • When a vehicle becomes disabled, you should: -Pull off far onto shoulder/median -Turn on emergency flashers -Raise hood and signal for assistance. -If available, use cell phone to call for help. -Do not get into a strangers car • Construction Areas: when coming across these areas, a motorist should adjust speed and adjust position to main space around his/her vehicle. • Toll Booths: stay alert for signs and begin reducing speed early, as traffic may be backed up at the booth. Green lights or signals will highlight open booths.

24. Construction Areas • What color are construction signs? • What should you do in a construction zone? • What do you have to be aware of in a construction zone?

25. Curves • It is important for a motorist to adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve in the road. • The vehicle tends to keep going straight. • The best way to enter a curve is to slow down before entering and avoid drifting into another lane.

26. Turning • The law requires you to signal first at least 100 feet before you make any turn!

27. Left Turns • When two vehicles converge at an intersection and both have signaled to turn left, extra caution must be applied. When it is safe, each driver should turn to the left of the center of the intersection. • Left turn from a one-way road on to a one-way road: Approaching the turn in the left lane, the motorist should turn into the left lane of the road he/she is entering.

29. Take out a piece of paper… • Draw an example of what you think the following intersections look like: • Controlled intersection • uncontrolled intersection • Circle intersection How should you approach each intersection? The same way or differently?

30. Intersections • An intersection is where two or more roads cross or merge at angles. As most collisions occur at intersections, a motorist should be aware of the three types intersections and how to navigate through them! • Three types: • Controlled • Uncontrolled • Circle

31. Controlled Intersection • An intersection is controlled if there are traffic signals, signs or controlled by a police officer. • A motorist should yield to another motorist already stopped at the intersection.

32. Uncontrolled Intersection • An intersection is uncontrolled when two or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device. • As a motorist nears a crossroad that is not controlled, he/she must reduce speed and be ready to stop if any traffic is coming.

33. Circle • There are not set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. • Common sense and caution must prevail at all times. • If a major highway flows into and through a circle, it usually dominates the traffic flow pattern and commands the right-of-way.

34. Right Turn on Red • New Jersey law permits motorists to make a right turn at a red light after coming to a full stop, unless a No Turn On Red sign is posted. • Yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning right at a red light.

35. Making a right turn • Explain how to make a right turn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPBUioeoemE

36. Making a left turn • Are left turns more difficult than right turns? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QctyjYIM6NU

37. Littering • Fines up to $1,000 may be imposed on a motorist who litters. • If the vehicle is moving when litter is thrown, the motorist may lose his/her license.

38. Pedestrians in a Crosswalk • Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility • Stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk • Always look for pedestrians when making a right turn

39. Failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk… • May result in… • A fine up to $500 • Up to 25 days in jail • Community service • A driving privilege suspension of up to 6 months

40. Move Over Law • All motorists approaching a stationary, authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway maintenance or other emergency service vehicle that is displaying a flashing, or blinking lights MUST change lanes (safety and traffic condition permitting), into a lane not adjacent to the authorized vehicle. • Fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.

41. Using Lights • New Jersey law requires all motorists to turn a vehicle’s headlights on whenever windshield wipers are in use. • Headlights must be turned on whenever visibility is less than 500 feet.

42. Other Types of Lights • Parking lights • Tail lights (turn on when vehicle’s headlights and parking lights are on) • Brake lights • Interim (overhead) lights • Dashboard lights • Spotlights • Fog lights

43. Head Lights • Bright beams are used for open country driving where there is no traffic in sight!! • Dim beams are used for city driving and driving in traffic on roadways. • Dim beams are for use when traveling behind other vehicles or when another vehicle is approaching.

44. Stopping Regulations • Signs, signals and traffic rules indicate when a motorist should stop.

45. Give some examples of when a motorist must stop…

46. When a Motorist Must Stop • at an intersection with a stop sign • at an intersection with a red light, flashing or otherwise • when a traffic officer orders the motorist to stop • when there is a yield sign and traffic does not permit a safe merge • for a pedestrian in a crosswalk or at an intersection • when a school bus is picking up or letting off children and/or red lights are flashing • when coming from an alley, private driveway or building • at a bridge span which is about to open for boat traffic • for a blind pedestrian using a white or metallic-colored walking cane, or a trained guide dog, or guide dog instructor engaged in instructing a guide dog

47. Stopping at Railroad Crossings • Motorists must stop at least 15 feetfrom railroad crossings when there are flashing lights, bells or flag signals. • Lowering gates, or gates that have already been lowered, indicate a train is coming, and a motorist must stop. • Never attempt to cross until the gates have been raised and lights have stopped flashing.

48. Stopping for School Buses • State law requires that motorists stop at least 25 feet away if traveling on a two-lane road, or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines, or on a privately maintained road. • Slow down to 10 mph if traveling on a dual highway, if on the opposite side of a safety island or a raised median.

49. Stopping for a Frozen Dessert Truck • When approaching or overtaking a frozen dessert truck, or ice cream truck, from either direction and it shows flashing red lights and/or a stop signal arm, yield the right of way to any person who is crossing the roadway to or from the vehicle. • Watch out for children and be prepared to stop. • Drive past the vehicle at a speed no faster than 15 mph.

50. Pulling Over and Stopping for Emergency Vehicles • New Jersey law requires all motorists to yield to emergency vehicles sounding sirens or flashing red and/or blue emergency lights. • Steer to the extreme right of the roadway and stop. • Wait for the emergency vehicle to pass. • Afterward, keep at least 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency call.