Chapter 15 Driving in Rural Areas What is

Chapter 15 Driving in Rural Areas

What is a Rural Roadway? n n Any roadway that has wide open spaces and less traffic are considered rural roadways. Rural roadway collisions account for nearly 2 x’s the amount of deaths than urban collisions.

Speed n Major factor in rural driving collisions. n Affects the following: n n Line of Sight Stopping Distance Vehicle Control Amount of Damage and Injury in a Collision

Traffic Controls n n Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings Alert you to the following: n n Hazards you can’t yet identify Major intersections ahead Unusual or hazardous conditions Traffic channeled into reduced space

Facts and Figures for Rural Roads n n Vehicles leaving the road and hitting a fixed object account for 1/3 of all motor vehicle deaths. Most of these involve a single vehicle. Approximately 42% of all roadside deaths occur on curves. About 1/3 of all roadside collisions involve vehicle rollovers and 1/3 involve occupant ejections.

Driving on Two Lane Roads n Things to consider: n Curves n n n Advisory Speed Limits Hills Intersections

Following Distance n Rural settings that need increased following distances: (greater than 3 seconds) n n n n Being tailgated Downhill slope Following motorcycles Following snowplows Pulling a trailer Following a large vehicle (truck, RV, bus) Wet/Icy road conditions

Multilane Rural Roads n Entering a multilane road: n n Check target area and front zones. Enter nearest lane in your direction Accelerate to the appropriate speed. Remember a left turns requires a larger gap in traffic than a right turn. (the more lanes you cross the larger the gap you need)

Video Segment n The IPDE process in Rural Areas

Passing n n When deciding to pass consider: n n Is it worth it to pass? Is it legal to pass? Is it safe to pass? Remember passing does not give an exemption to the speed limit!!! No-passing Situations: n n n Uphill road Intersections Within 100’ of RR On a 2 lane bridge. Curves Vehicle ahead traveling at speed limit Line of sight is restricted More than one vehicle ahead When approaching a no-passing zone When oncoming traffic is too close When you will be turning or stopping soon

Slow Moving Vehicles n n SMVs are identified by the orange triangle with red border Video “In the Blink of an Eye” (might want to take notes b/c you may see some of this on a quiz)

Animals n n Anticipate more than one animal Evaluate front zones for line of sight restrictions and other animals Check rear zone to make sure if is safe for you to slow/stop quickly Check left-front and right-front zones for escape route

Separating Hazards n Adjust speed n Meet where the most space is available n Change lane position to create more space

For Quiz n Should be able to: n n n Explain the features of a rural roadway List what roadway markings and signs alert drivers to (4 things) Define Advisory Speed Limit Explain how to enter a multilane road List 7 of the 11 No passing situations