Drivers Education Chapter 7 Negotiating Intersections Searching Intersections

Driver’s Education Chapter 7 Negotiating Intersections

Searching Intersections • The chances of a collision are greater at intersections than any other point on a roadway. • Look for these cue to identify an intersection ahead. • Street sign/Street light • Crossing traffic • Turning traffic • Traffic stopping

Searching Intersections • Intersections can be found in various designs. • Most are simply to roads crossing in a + or X pattern. • Other may form a Y

Searching Intersections • Traffic Circle – formed when several roadways meet at a circle. • A driver needs to know how to identify and safely negotiate traffic circles.

Approaching an Intersection • You will need to search left front, and right front zones to be certain that they are open. • You also need to look for line of sight restrictions. • Once you are within 4 -6 seconds of the intersection, your searching should widen to the left and right. • If not clear you will need to prepare to stop or change your path of travel.

Moving Through an Intersection Without Stopping • If a traffic light is green, or if the intersection has no signals or signs, and traffic is clear. • Many times it takes numerous checks because of a line of sight restriction.

Point-of-no-Return • Point-of-no-return – is the point beyond which you can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection. • Normally about 2 seconds • When in a intersection you are not allowed to make lane changes.

Deciding to Stop • You may have to stop at an intersection when you identify or predict a closed zone or line of sight restriction. • Closed zone may be a yellow or red light, or something moving into your intended path of travel.

Controlled Intersection • Controlled intersection – is one at which traffic signals or signs determine the right of way. • 2 types of signs control intersections stop and yield. • At stop sign you must come to a full stop. • At a yield sign, slow and yield the right of way.

Right Turns The proper way to make a right turn includes: • Start and end in the right hand lane • Signal well in advance • Look ahead, then left and right • Then look to the left again • Check your right side blind spot • Make the turn

Left Turns The proper way to make a left turn includes: • Signal well in advance • Move into the left-hand lane, when clear • Look ahead, left, right and left again • Check your blind spot • Make the turn when the way is clear • If making the turn from a stop, keep your wheels pointed straight until ready to make the turn • When the turn is complete, move back into the right lane when it is safe to do so

Controlled Intersection with Signals • Traffic signals normally have 3 lights to each cycle – red, yellow, and green. • Signals can also have additional lights like a yellow or green arrow.

Signals • Stale Green Light – is a light that has been green for a long time. Predict that it will turn to yellow soon. • Fresh Green Light – is a light that has just turned green. This does not guarantee that you will have a safe path of travel. Make sure that no driver on the cross street is running a red light. • Yellow Light – you must decide to stop or proceed. If before point of not return you must stop. • Red Light – When light is red you must stop.

Left Turns • Unprotected Left Turn – is made at a signal controlled intersection that does not have a special left turn light. • Protected Left Turn – when a special left turn light, green arrow, or delayed green lets you make a left while oncoming traffic is stopped.

Turns on Red • Right on Red – before turning right on a red light, come to a full stop as you would at a stop sign. • Right turns on red are permitted in all states. • Watch for signs that prohibit turning on red.

Left Turn on Red • Most states also permit a left turn on red if it is from a one-way street to another one-way street. • Follow same procedures as on right on red.

Controlled Railroad Crossing • A controlled railroad crossing usually has red lights along with a crossing gate. • Remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gates have raised. Railroad Safety

Uncontrolled Intersections • Uncontrolled Intersection – has no signs or signals to regulate traffic. • You must yield to the driver on the right. • Never assume the other driver will yield. • Treat uncontrolled intersections like you would a yield sign and always be prepare to stop. • Always let pedestrians go first no matter where they are crossing. • Even is a pedestrian is breaking a traffic law. • You will most likely find uncontrolled intersections in residential neighborhoods.

Uncontrolled Railroad Crossings • Does not has flashing red light or crossing gate. • In cities and towns a round yellow sign is posted 250 feet from the actual crossing. • Crossbuck – large white X shaped sign is located at the crossing. • Many times a white X is painted on the roadway. • Treat uncontrolled crossing like yield sign.

Crossing Railroad Tracks • Slow down, check tracks to both sides, listen for train. • Reduce speed to handle possible rough road crossing. • If train is approaching, stop at safe distance from the tracks. • Wait for train to clear and it is safe to cross. • Drive onto the tracks only after you have enough space and speed to clear the track even if you stall. • Never stop on railroad tracks while waiting for traffic signal. • When following buses or trucks hauling flammable content, be prepared to stop. Laws require these vehicles to stop before railroad crossings.

What is Right of Way? • Right of Way – describes the privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of a roadway. • Yield – letting others go first. Yielding is an act of courtesy. • Called “yielding the right of way. ”

Situations When You Must Yield • At stop signs to – pedestrians in crosswalk and all traffic on the through street. • At fresh green lights to – pedestrians still in crosswalk and vehicles still in the intersection. • Coming from alley/driveway to – pedestrians on sideways and all vehicles on the street. (Make 2 stops) • At yield signs to – all pedestrians and vehicles on cross street. • Yield to emergency vehicles – sounding a siren or using flashing lights. When to yield

Situations When You Must Yield • Making a left turn at a intersection to – all pedestrians in you path and all oncoming vehicles. • At 4 way stops to – all pedestrians, vehicles that arrive first, and the vehicle to the right if you arrive at the same time. • At an uncontrolled intersection to – pedestrians, any vehicle that has entered the intersection, and a vehicle to the right if you arrive at the same time.