Module 6 Day 8 Environmental Factors Urban Driving

Module 6 Day 8 Environmental Factors

Urban Driving �Urban driving presents challenges to all drivers. �Learning about the most dangerous situations urban driving presents can help you be more aware of hazards and help you become a better defensive driver. �This skill is especially important when you approach or are stopped at an intersection.

Urban Driving �One reason extreme alertness at intersections is important is because of the problem of people running red lights. �Although red-light running is a problem in many areas, not just in urban areas, it is especially dangerous in cities, which are much more crowded with both cars and pedestrians.

Urban crashes January 2010 �The United States is a highly urbanized society. �Three-fourths of the population lives in metropolitan areas and the majority of the nation's population growth during the next 25 years is predicted to be in metropolitan areas. �Vehicle miles traveled also are increasing rapidly in urban areas.

Q&As: Urban crashes January 2010 How significant is the problem of urban crashes? �More crash deaths occur in urban areas. �In 2008, 57 percent of crash deaths occurred in urban areas. �Seventy-two percent of pedestrian deaths in 2008 occurred in urban settings. �Crashes that cause nonfatal injuries and/or property damage also are more frequent in urban areas. � A 2008 Insurance Research Council study of a national sample of automobile crash injury claims found that 80 percent of the crashes occurred in urban areas.

Q&As: Urban crashes January 2010 What are the most common types of urban crashes? �A 1995 Institute study of more than 4, 500 crashes in 4 urban areas found that 22 percent involved drivers who ran red lights or other traffic controls such as stop or yield signs. �The 3 other leading types of urban crashes included running off the road and striking an object, swerving into another occupied lane, and turning left and colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

Q&As: Urban crashes January 2010 Which crashes are most likely to cause injuries? � 41 percent of urban crashes were associated with a vehicle turning left into oncoming traffic involved injuries. �These crashes often involved a side impact. �More than a third of the crashes typed as running a red light or other traffic control, rear ending a stopped or stopping vehicle, and running off the road involved injury.

Q&As: Urban crashes January 2010 Where and when do urban crashes occur? �Nearly half of all urban crashes occur at intersections. �An estimated 1. 7 million urban crashes occurred at intersections or were deemed intersection-related in 2008. �Pedestrians in urban areas are more likely to be injured in crashes at intersections than at other locations. �Most urban crashes happen during the afternoon or early evening.

Q&As: Urban crashes January 2010 � A 2002 Federal Highway Administration study reported that adding left-turn and right-turn lanes can reduce intersection crashes � The addition of left-turn lanes at urban unsignalized intersections reduced crashes by about 30 percent. � Intersection crashes also can be substantially reduced by installing modern roundabouts in place of signals and stop signs.

Q&As: Urban crashes January 2010 Can technology such as speed and red light cameras help reduce urban crashes? �Common traffic infractions such as speeding and red light running are associated with many urban crashes. �Speed cameras and red light cameras can help police enforce traffic laws in dense urban areas where traffic pursuits and stops can be dangerous to officers and to other motorists and pedestrians. �Institute research indicates that red light camera enforcement generally reduces violations by 40 -50 percent and injury crashes by 25 -30 percent.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 What is red light running? �A violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection some time after the signal light has turned red.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Is red light running a big problem? �A nationwide study of fatal crashes at traffic signals in 1999 and 2000 estimated that 20 percent of the drivers involved failed to obey the signals. �In 2008, 762 people were killed an estimated 137, 000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. �About half of the deaths in red light running crashes are pedestrians and occupants in other vehicles who are hit by the red light runners. �An Institute study of urban crashes found that running red lights and other traffic controls was the most common cause of all crashes.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 How often do drivers run red lights? �A study conducted during several months at five busy intersections in Fairfax, Virginia, prior to the use of red light cameras found that, on average, a motorist ran a red light every 20 minutes at each intersection. �During peak travel times, red light running was more frequent.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Who runs red lights? �As a group, red light runners were younger, less likely to use safety belts and had poorer driving records than drivers who stopped for red lights. �Red light runners were more than three times as likely to have multiple speeding convictions on their driver records. �No gender differences were found between violators and drivers who did not run red lights.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 What are red light cameras? �Red light cameras can help communities enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles whose drivers run red lights. �A red light camera system is connected to the traffic signal and to sensors that monitor traffic flow at the crosswalk or stop line. �The system continuously monitors the traffic signal, and the camera is triggered by any vehicle entering the intersection above a preset minimum speed and following a specified time after the signal has turned red.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Isn't conventional police enforcement sufficient? �Enforcing traffic laws in dense urban areas by traditional means poses special difficulties for police, who in most cases must follow a violating vehicle through a red light to stop it. �This can endanger motorists and pedestrians as well as officers, and police cannot be everywhere at once. �Traffic stops in urban areas can exacerbate traffic congestion. �Communities do not have the resources to allow police to patrol intersections as often as would be needed to ticket all motorists who run red lights. �Red light cameras allow police to focus on other enforcement needs.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Isn't longer yellow signal timing more effective than using red light cameras to reduce red light running? �While the provision of adequate yellow signal timing is important and can reduce red light running, longer yellow timing alone does not eliminate the need or potential benefits of red light cameras.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Does someone review the photographs before motorists are ticketed? �Yes. It is standard practice for trained police officers or other officials to review every picture to verify vehicle information and ensure the vehicle is in violation. �Tickets are mailed to vehicle owners only in cases where it is clear the vehicle ran a red light.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Do red light cameras violate motorists' privacy? �No. Driving is a regulated activity on public roads. �By obtaining a license, a motorist agrees to abide by certain rules, such as to obey traffic signals. �Red light camera systems can be designed to photograph only a vehicle's rear license plate, not vehicle occupants, depending on local law.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Are special laws needed to allow localities to use red light cameras to cite violators? �Before cameras may be used for law enforcement, laws must authorize enforcement agencies to cite red light violators by mail. �Red light cameras currently are authorized in about half of US states. �Depending on state law, violations photographed by red light cameras are commonly treated in one of two ways — as traffic violations or as the equivalent of parking tickets.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Are red light camera programs expensive? �A red light camera system with installation costs approximately $100, 000. �Start-up costs can be offset by fines, savings from crashes prevented, and by freeing police to focus on other enforcement efforts.

Q&As: Red light cameras December 2009 Does the American public support the use of red light cameras? �The large majority of the US public supports red light cameras. �A 2000 Institute survey in ten cities — five with cameras and five without — reported that more than 75 percent of drivers supported camera enforcement.

Environmental Factors �Driving in City Traffic What specific challenges do you see? As a driver, what precautions should you take while driving on this street? ` ``

City Traffic �Driving, especially in the city, during rush hour, or driving to a place that is unfamiliar can by a trying task. �There a few things you need to keep in mind in order to have a more pleasant driving experience. �First of all, when driving in the city, make sure that you leave at a time that would be the least busy throughout the day.

City Traffic �Driving in the city, especially for someone that has not grown up in one can be a scary and frustrating experience, if you are not aware of when you need to leave to get to where you are going comfortably on time. �One tip in driving in the city is to leave much earlier than you normally would to get to your destination prior to morning rush hour traffic. �The same applies to the evening. Wait long enough that you will just miss the rush hour in the evening.

City Traffic �If you are going to an unfamiliar place, make sure that you have a map, a companion, or some sort of system in your car that will direct you to the proper destination. �If not, if it is possible, go the night before to an unfamiliar destination nearby to make sure you know exactly where to go the following day. �If all else fails, go to a web site, such as mapquest. com in order to know every turn you are to make along the way.

City Street Car Safety �When driving on city surface roads, car safety is as important as when driving anywhere else. �Due to the differences in traffic, speeds, obstacles and the presence of pedestrians, it has rules all its own.

City Street Car Safety �Traffic is usually limited to speeds of 45 mph or less on city streets, but there are many things you may encounter that you would not see on the highway. �Frequent emergency vehicles, crosswalks, merging and turning vehicles and regular traffic lights are routine.

City Street Car Safety �Safety on city streets requires you to constantly be on the lookout for pedestrians, bicycles, flashing lights and unsafe drivers. �You cannot expect everyone to drive as they should, so you should always be on the defensive.

City Street Car Safety �Slowing down for school zones and potholes, letting busses merge into traffic, and generally being in no hurry help to ensure your safety and others. �Signaling before turning, using your headlights in the dark, and keeping your car in good working order also help.

Highway Car Safety �Highway car safety encompasses many of the same elements as driving in the city, but there are notable differences. �Since speeds are greater— 70 mph or faster depending on the state—driving automatically becomes more dangerous. �Signaling is as, if not more, important than in the city. In order to make a safe lane change on the highway, signals are a must.

Highway Car Safety �There are few if any emergency vehicles on the highway, and pedestrians and bicyclists are seldom present. �At night, however, because there are few streetlights and none in some stretches, maintaining your driving composure at high speeds can be nerve racking. �If the lane lines or lane dividers are worn, discerning the lanes from the shoulder can be difficult as well.

Highway Car Safety �Despite the fact that there are fewer non-vehicular obstacles, highway driving involves high speeds and frequent passing of large trucks. �With high winds or bad weather driving alongside a big rig can be harrowing. �Keeping within the speed limit, staying attentive to the flow of traffic and the cars around you, using your car’s safety features including turn signals and headlights are all ways to stay safe on the highway.

Highway Car Safety �Driving in the city is different from on the highway, although whenever you drive it is vital that you practice good car safety. �In both situations, using your car’s proper safety devices is necessary as is being aware of everything that is going on in front and to the side of you. �Safe, defensive driving means obeying traffic laws that are designed for your safety and others, and it is as much an attitude as it is a skill. �Keep composed and don’t be hasty wherever you drive, making car safety your top priority.

Environmental Factors �Adjusting to City Traffic Once you are comfortable making basic maneuvers and using the IPDE Process, you will be ready to start driving in city traffic. City traffic will test your best abilities.

Environmental Factors �Traffic Complexities Traffic Density, or the number of vehicles you meet per mile, is heavier in cities, and city hazards can quickly block your path of travel. As you drive, remember it takes time to use the IPDE Process. You will have to contend with many situations involving closed zones and line-of-sight restrictions. If you cannot increase the distance between your vehicle and a hazard, you must change your lane position, slow, or stop to give yourself time to solve

Environmental Factors �Using the IPDE Process In heavy city traffic, you need to focus your attention on driving to avoid conflicts and distractions. You might see other drivers using cell phones. You might see aggressive drivers who needlessly increase the risk in a situation by challenging other drivers.

Environmental Factors �Write the following in your spiral: As you drive in city traffic, focus on the IPDE Process in these ways: 1. IDENTIFY- Be vigorous in using your visual skills. Look well ahead to your target area. Check your searching ranges to make sure your front zone is open and you have time to spot things like a line-of-sight restriction.

Environmental Factors 2. PREDICT- Predict possible points of conflict quickly and gain valuable time to respond. 3. DECIDE- Always be ready to communicate or adjust your vehicle position by changing speed and using distance effectively. 4. EXECUTE- Be ready to use your vehicle’s controls to make smooth low-risk maneuvers in traffic.

Following Traffic 3 Second Following Distance � A 3 Second Following Distance provides a safe distance from the vehicle ahead in most normal driving situations. � This 3 second technique works well at all speeds for measuring a normal following distance. � A 3 second following distance only protects you from colliding with the vehicle you are following. It is not the total stopping distance you need to avoid hitting a stationary object. � Increase your following distance to more than three seconds if driving conditions are not ideal.

STAY ALERT �The 3 -second rule is only one technique to use when following other vehicles. Also look over, through, and around the vehicle you are following. �Be alert for brake lights. Always try to anticipate what the driver ahead is likely to do in response to a changing zone condition. �Be alert in areas where sudden stops can occur.

Dangers of Tailgating �Tailgating is when a car is right behind another car and both of them are moving at a certain speed with a very short distance from one another.

Dangers of Tailgating �The most obvious danger in tailgating is not being able to react to what the car in front will do. �If the car in front suddenly brakes hard, the car behind won't have any time to react and will most probably hit the back of the car in front. �This could lead to major accidents on the road that will result in damage to property, injuries and loss of life.

Tailgaters �You are in a high-risk situation when someone tailgates, or follows you too closely. �Write “Managing Tailgaters” in your spiral and number 1 t 0 4

Managing Tailgaters Increase your following distance to at least 4 seconds. If you must slow or stop, you can do it more slowly and give the tailgater more time to respond. 2. Move slightly to the right. This helps the tailgater see traffic further ahead. 3. Signal early for turns, stops, and lane changes. Flash your brake lights ahead of time to warn a tailgater that you plan to slow or stop. Slow sooner to make a gradual stop. 4. In extreme situations, change lanes or pull out of traffic to avoid a tailgater. 1.

Special City Situations �When you are turning from a one-way street, you should turn from the nearest lane going in the direction you want to go. �If another driver is going the wrong way down a one-way street, steer right, sound your horn, and flash your headlights, if possible.

Characteristics of Rural Traffic �Open spaces and less traffic are common in rural areas. �Inclement weather, hills, curves, intersections, narrow lanes, and traffic conditions all affect safe speed selection on rural roads.

Using Basic Skills in Rural Areas �In rural areas, it is important for you to manage speed control and to use an orderly visual search pattern. �Be on the lookout for curves, hills, and intersections, and be aware of line-of-sight restrictions. �You should maintain a following distance of more than three seconds when being tailgated, driving on a steep downhill slope, or following a motorcycle.

Passing and Being Passed on Rural Roads �Before deciding to pass, you should check whether it is legal and safe to do so. �You should never pass when there is a solid yellow line in your lane, when there is a line-ofsight restriction, when space is narrow and the front zone is closed, when cross-traffic is present, or when approaching a hill, bridge, underpass, curve, or intersection.

Rural Situations You Might Encounter �Slow-moving vehicles and animals are sometimes hazards on rural roads. �You should identify them as early as possible. �When driving on two-lane roads, you need to identify oncoming vehicles early to select a safe place to meet.

Special Driving Environments �Safety precautions for driving in the mountains include reducing speed, tapping the horn when driving around a curve, maintaining a 4 -second following distance behind large vehicles, and downshifting when traveling down hills. �Safety precautions when driving in the desert include checking fluids and tire pressure and wearing sunglasses.

Characteristics of Highways �Highways can have controlled access, so that you can enter or exit them only at designated interchanges, or have non-controlled access, with traffic lights, intersections, and other entry and exit points. �There are several varieties of interchanges, including cloverleaf, diamond, trumpet, and alldirectional. �Concentration, cooperation, and experience are important for safe driving on highways.

Entering Controlled-Access Highways �When preparing to enter a controlled-access highway, you should determine the best speed for entering traffic, accelerate to the speed of the traffic, and decide on the best place to merge before entering. �Be prepared for problems with this procedure on entrance ramps, on short acceleration lanes, and in the merging area.

Strategies for Driving on Highways �You should generally maintain a following distance of 3 seconds or more on highways. �Lane changing requires signaling, checking blind spots, and smooth acceleration. �Similar procedures are followed for passing.

Exiting Controlled-Access Highways �You need a half mile of advance preparation before exiting. �Exiting usually involves changing lanes, decelerating, identifying the exit ramp, and adjusting speed. �You need to watch for crossing paths of traffic, ramp overflow, and short deceleration lanes when exiting.

Highway Problems and Features �Driver conditions, including highway hypnosis, and drowsy driving, are especially dangerous on highways. �Roadway hazards include heavy city traffic, disabled vehicles, road repairs, and tollbooths.

Avoiding Deer / Car Collisions �The explosion in the deer population has lead to a continuing increase in deer-car collisions. This trend will only increase as the deer population grows and urban habitats continue to encroach upon rural environments. �According to the National Safety Council, there were 530, 000 animal-related accidents in 2003 and these collisions resulted in 100 deaths and 10, 000 injuries.

Avoiding Deer / Car Collisions �The average cost per insurance claim for collision damage is $2, 800, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage. When you factor in auto claims involving bodily injury, the average rises to $10, 000.

Avoiding Deer / Car Collisions Defensive driving tips to avoid hitting a deer. �Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deervehicle collisions. �Drive with caution when moving through deercrossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.

Avoiding Deer / Car Collisions �When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway. �Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away. �Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.

Avoiding Deer / Car Collisions �Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in car/deer crashes were not wearing their seat belt. �Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.

Avoiding Deer / Car Collisions �If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. The best procedure is to get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police. �Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your car. �Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.

Environmental Factors �Review What two factors can make city traffic difficult? 2. How can you best use the IPDE Process in city driving? 3. How can distractions become dangerous in city driving? 1.

Environmental Factors �Review 1. Why should you look ahead when driving in city traffic? 2. Explain how to cover your brake and when you should do it. 3. How do you select the best lane on a multilane street?

Environmental Factors �Review 1. What are three roadway conditions commonly found in rural driving? 2. What factors should you use to help select a safe speed when driving on rural roads? 3. List three examples of common rural roadside hazards.

Environmental Factors �Review 1. How should IPDE and Zone Control be applied in rural driving? 2. List the steps you should take in handling a curve. 3. What are two situations that would require you to establish a greater following distance when driving in a rural area? 4. What are the steps to take for making a left turn onto a multilane rural highway?

Environmental Factors �Review 1. Explain why it’s dangerous to drive on a highway for extended periods of time without a break. 2. Explain why it’s important to check your speeds at exit ramps.