Chapter 9Chapter 9

Driving in Driving in

City TrafficCity Traffic

More Complex!!

Why?1.Traffic is more dense – more cars,

trucks, buses and pedestrians per mile than on rural roads.

2.Hazards are closer to you & you may need to react to more than one at a time.

Google Earth

IPDE ProcessKeys:

1.Focus

2.Avoid distractions i.e. cell phones, passengers

3.Be “vigorous” with your visual skills

4.Search front zone & keep it open

5.Predict conflict quickly

6.Be ready to communicate

Advantages of GOOD Following Distance

•See further•Others can see you better•More reaction time•Can use IPDE easier

3 second following distance or more

• Adverse conditions

• Following a motorcycle

• Poor traction

Another Technique…

Look over, through, and

around vehicle you are

following.

Page 179 & 180

Areas of sudden stops

• Intersections—turning cars,

pedestrians

• Entrances & Exits to parking

lots

• Lanes next to parked cars

1.Zone ahead-open & stable?

2. Increase following distance --more than 3 seconds

3. Keep eyes moving

4. Take split second glances (quick glances)

5. Ask passengers to help look (for addresses, stores, road signs)

Looking Away Safely

Tailgater = car following too closely

YOU are being tailgated

•Increase YOUR following distance•Move right in your lane•Signal early•Flash brakes to communicate

Approaching

Traffic

Signals

A few techniques….

• Be ready at stale green• Watch for “Don’t Walk” pedestrian signal flashing• Never speed up to get through green

Lane

Changing

1.Signal2.Mirrors3.Blind Spot

Common Mistakes•Dropping speed

•Drifting with head check

•Forgetting to cancel signal

•Moving car over too quickly

Lane Changing Examples

How to

Lane ending

BEFORE making a

lane change a

driver should

consider the

following…The situation

1.Car braking ahead??

2.Car signaling??3.Traffic light

ahead?? Stale or Fresh?

4.Car entering the roadway ahead

Often lane changes must be made because Often lane changes must be made because of lane closures during construction of lane closures during construction

What must you do in this situation?What must you do in this situation?

LANE CHANGE LEFTLANE CHANGE LEFT

……but don’t wait until you almost run out of spacebut don’t wait until you almost run out of space

… …some lane changes some lane changes require brakingrequire braking Watch for brake lights when moving overWatch for brake lights when moving over

STOPand

THINK

If you need to turn right at the light,

should you have waited this

long tolane change?

No, plan and execute your lane

changes well inadvance of

any turn

What would it be wise to check right now?What would it be wise to check right now?

- - right rear blind spot with head check- - right rear blind spot with head check

You are completing your left turn onto this road……what must you quickly do up ahead?

Lane change right

Extra clips

Traffic controls

Double turn lanes

Information on trucks

Why is the left lane of a 4 lane road Why is the left lane of a 4 lane road not as safe/efficientnot as safe/efficient as the right lane? as the right lane?

Closer to oncoming carsCloser to oncoming cars Escape paths are minimizedEscape paths are minimized

Can be delayed behind left turnersCan be delayed behind left turners

No right turn No right turn sign just came sign just came

onon-- train coming-- train coming

… …but at certain intersections you are better but at certain intersections you are better off NOT being in the right laneoff NOT being in the right lane

Again, you’re at 45 mph…what should Again, you’re at 45 mph…what should you start doing about now? you start doing about now?

Again, you’re at 45 mph…what should Again, you’re at 45 mph…what should you start doing about now? you start doing about now?

Coasting at the stale green light Coasting at the stale green light (anticipating the (anticipating the yellow)yellow)

- its good to - its good to talk to yourselftalk to yourself : : “I can stop…I can stop…I can “I can stop…I can stop…I can still stop…point of no return…I’m going”still stop…point of no return…I’m going”

By talking to yourself this way…you’ll be ready to make the right decision if the light

turns yellow

This far back, we are definitely stopping

STOPand

THINK

What could happen if you

forget that the light could

unexpectedlychange?

You might make the

wrong decision

In rainy weather begin coasting much sooner… alsothe point of no return will be further back from the

light.

Running the Red Light

Intersections

Pedestrians & Emergency Pedestrians & Emergency vehicles at traffic light vehicles at traffic light

intersectionsintersections

You want to turn left at this You want to turn left at this intersection… …should you now intersection… …should you now

proceed?proceed?

No…someone is No…someone is illegallyillegally crossing the street crossing the street

… …but but what if they havewhat if they have already started already started walkingwalking when this light starts flashing?when this light starts flashing?

They are allowed to finish crossingThey are allowed to finish crossing

Next to the red light there is a flashing Next to the red light there is a flashing white light…what does it mean?white light…what does it mean?

Emergency vehicle is in the areaEmergency vehicle is in the area

With this emergency vehicle is going With this emergency vehicle is going through this traffic light intersection…all through this traffic light intersection…all vehicles at the intersection must:vehicles at the intersection must:

Trains—What clues are at an Trains—What clues are at an intersection to let us know there intersection to let us know there

is a train coming?is a train coming?

What can you not do as you What can you not do as you approach this intersection?approach this intersection?

Make a left turn…Make a left turn…in this situationin this situation the the sign lights up sign lights up when a train is coming...when a train is coming...

Make a left turn…Make a left turn…in this situationin this situation the the sign lights up sign lights up when a train is coming...when a train is coming...