Chapter 11 Driving Environments Lesson 1 Managing Visibility

Chapter 11 Driving Environments

Lesson 1 Managing Visibility, Time, and Space How Can You Manage Visibility? Advance Preparations • Clean windows • Clean lights • Wipers, washers, and defroster work properly • Adjust mirrors • Items for visibility (Sunglass 3 es, Flashlight, Windshield Scraper) • Obstructions inside the vehicle Behind-the-wheel actions • Turn on headlights • Signal intentions • Avoid driving in other blind spots • Wear glasses or corrective lenses as needed

How Can You Manage Time? Use time to control driving conditions to reduce risk Consider total stopping distance How Can You Manage Space? Allow enough space to maneuver safely at all times Consider Time, Distance, and Speed • The faster you go the more space you will need • Braking distance increases the square of the increase in speed Assess and Adjust the Space Around Your Vehicle • Adjust your following distance as needed. • Try to keep a 3 -second distance behind your vehicle. • Whenever possible, try to keep as much as 8 feet on either side of you. • If there is insufficient space ahead, b 4 hind, or to the side of your vehicle, take prompt action to increase the space.

Lesson 2 Visibility, Time, and Space on Urban Streets What Special Factors Affect City Driving? Traffic Density Number of Pedestrians Intersections Slow or Irregular Traffic Flow Lower Speed Limits Sight Obstructions Potholes and Other Road Defects

Guidelines for Managing Visibility in the City • Search 1 to 2 blocks, or 20 to 30 seconds ahead • Keep low beam headlights on at all tomes • Check mirrors • Signal intentions • Alertness to vehicles ahead to anticipate their actions to plan braking or turning • Watch for pedestrians • Watch for warning signs and emergency vehicles • Be aware of entrances to building and parking lots

Guidelines for Managing Time in the City • Drive at moderate speed • Always be ready to stop or steer to avoid a collision • Cover the brake in threatening situations • Avoid driving in blind spots • Cover the brake in threatening situations • Give other drivers and pedestrian’s time to react to you by keeping on low beam headlights and signal well in advance • Allow extra time for travel in city traffic

Guidelines for Managing Space in the City • Don’t follow other vehicles too closely • Stop 20 -30 feet behind other vehicles. Move up slightly after others behind you have stopped. • Keep wide margin of space from parked vehicles. • Avoid driving in blind spots • Keep as much space as possible from oncoming vehicles

Lesson 3 Visibility, Time, and Space on Rural Roads What Special Factors Affect Driving on Rural Roads? Road Conditions Higher Speed, Fewer Controls Slow-Moving Vehicles Sight Obstructions Animals and Objects on the Road

How Can You Manage Visibility, Time, and Space in Rural Driving? Guidelines for Managing Visibility in Rural Areas • Use low beam headlights during the day and high-beams at night • Search 20 to 30 seconds ahead and reduce speed for adverse weather conditions • Identify objects or conditions 12 to 15 seconds ahead of time • Drive at speed that will allow you to react just over hills or curves • Drive at least 200 feet behind large vehicles so they don’t block view of potential dangers • Always signal your intentions

Guidelines for Managing Time in Rural Areas • Watch for slow moving vehicles (Farm equipment etc…) • Reduce speed at intersections and be prepared to stop at unmarked intersections. • Allow extra time on unfamiliar roads and plan routs in advance • Reduce speed on unpaved roads or low traction road surfaces • Drive slowly around animals (they are unpredictable)

Guidelines for Managing Space in Rural Areas • Adjust following distance as needed and identify escape paths • Give tailgaters space to pass and increase following distance from vehicles ahead of you when being tailgated. • Keep as much space as possible between you and oncoming vehicles • Never pass on hills or curved when you can’t see well enough ahead to complete the curve. • Weigh the consequences of hitting an animal or object vs. getting in a collision.

Lesson 4 Visibility, Time, and Space on Multiple-Lane Highways What Special Factors Affect Driving on Multiple-Lane Highways? Higher Speed Limits Limited Entrances and Exits Frequent Passing Trucks and Other Large Vehicles

Guidelines for Managing Visibility on Highways • Search 20 to 30 seconds ahead • Be alert of dangers at entrances and exits • Check your mirrors frequently and monitor traffic around you. • Always signal intentions • Use low beams during the day and high beams at night • Check movement of vehicles ahead and know when they are slowing, preparing to pass, or change lanes. • Position yourself so large vehicles don’t block your view • Look for road signs, speed limits in which side of the road exit ramps are on

Guidelines for Managing Time on Highways • Adjust position to speed others are driving for road and weather conditions to allow for space to accelerate, brake and steer. • Allow 4 seconds when merging, changing lanes, or entering from an entrance lane. • When changing lanes turn wheel slightly, oversteering can cause loss of control. • Move over one lane at a time when changing lanes.

Guidelines for Managing Space on Highways • Adjust position to flow of traffic and weather conditions and allow space to accelerate, brake and steer • Allow at least 4 seconds for merging, changing lanes, or entering from a ramp • To change lanes turn the wheel slightly, oversteering can cause loss of control. • Move over one lane at a time when crossing several lanes • Make room for vehicles entering expressways and move over a lane at entrance ramps. • If being tailgated, change lanes to let vehicle pass or increase following distance from vehicle ahead of you. • Never cut on to soon in front of a vehicle you are passing • When passing a large truck or wide vehicles remember that side space is reduced • Watch for placed when highway narrows such as bridges and tunnels and reduce speed accordingly. • When crossing bridges or driving in hills or mountains be alert for strong cross winds.