Driver’s Safety

Pg 167-176

Regulatory Signs

A sign that regulates or controls the movement of traffic.

Tells driver what you must and must not do while driving.

Signs are: red, white, black, green on white, or white on black

Signs generally have square and rectangular shapes.

Shapes of Regulatory Signs

Square or rectangular signs tell a driver what to do or not to do

Octagon is only for stop signs

Triangle pointing down always indicates a yield sign

Warning Signs

Alerts driver to changes in the condition or use of the road ahead.

Signs are either yellow or orange with black symbols, majority of these signs are diamond shaped.

Significance of the Shape and Color of Warning Signs Diamond shape, yellow with black

letters – warns of possible hazards ahead

Pentagon shape, yellow with black letters – warns that there is a school crossing or school zone ahead

Pennant shape yellow with black letter – marks the beginning of a no passing zone

Round, yellow with black letters – gives advance warning of a railroad crossing

Orange, with black letters – warns of construction or repair activity

Guide Signs

Gives information about roadways and routes

The mileage to certain destinations Roadside services such as rest

stops, service stations and campsites

Recreational areas and nearby points of interest.

International Signs

A sign that can be understood without knowing another language

The meanings are understood by colors, shapes, symbols and numbers

Pavement Markings

Roadway lane markings provide advance warning not only to you as the driver, but other they indicate to you what other drivers can and cannot do as well.

Yellow Lines

Traffic is going in opposite directions

A single solid yellow line marks the left edge of the roadway

White Lines

•White lines that are parallel to the roadway indicate traffic is moving in the same direction

Single white lines are to discourage passing @ high risk locations, but do not prohibit passing

Road Work Signs

Alert drivers to a variety of temporary roadway conditions

Orange, diamond shaped signs that warn motorist of: Lane closing, lane shifts, flaggers, uneven

pavement and detours In NJ, all traffic fines are doubled in work

zones

Other Roadway Markings

White arrows – direct drivers into lanes from which they can drive straight ahead, turn left or turn right

White arrows pointing alternately right and left – shared left–turn lanes indicating that vehicles moving in either direction can use the lane to make a turn into an entrance or another road

Reversible lanes – at different times of day may be used by traffic moving in opposite directions

Traffic Control Signals

Keeps traffic moving in an orderly manner

Red – stop; Yellow – DO NOT ENTER THE INTERSECTION; Green - go

Flashing red light – stop and proceed only when it is safe to do so

Flashing yellow – slow down and proceed with caution

Lane-Use Lights

Red X – drivers are prohibited to drive in this lane

Green arrow – drivers are permitted to drive in this lane

Yellow X – driver should get out of this lane, it will soon be a red X; flashing yellow – the lane can be used, with caution, for left turn movements only

HOV

High Occupancy vehicles White Diamonds

Indicate high occupancy vehicle lanes Reserved for a particular vehicle type or

vehicle carrying multiple riders

Also marked with white diamonds on the pavement

Emergency Situations

Skid If the rear end of the vehicle starts to skid

DO NOT TOUCH the GAS PEDAL Do not make a quick turn away from the

skid Do not over steer Try not to brake during a skid Turn in the direction in which the rear of

the vehicle is skidding

Emergency Stops

On paved shoulder Signal first and then steer onto shoulder, then

slow down Unpaved shoulder

Signal, slow down, then steer to shoulder Dusk, darkness or bad weather

Turn on vehicle parking lights or hazard lights once on the shoulder of the roadway

Emergency Situations Cont

Running off the pavement Slow down and turn back onto the pavement

slowly Tire Blowout

Grip the steering wheel firmly Keep the vehicle going straight Slow down gradually Do not press the gas or brake

Emergency Situations Cont

Windshield Wiper Failure Slow down if they fail during rain or

snow storms Roll down drive side window and

look out of it to see the road Pull off of the road and stop

Accidents

Avoiding Collisions Emergencies do arise, remember these three

things Stop

Stop hard will cause the car to skid Turn quickly

Turn away from the collision Speed up

To avoid the collision from the side or behind

Last Minute Choices

Few seconds before collision, try not to panic. If collision looks imminent, turn away from

oncoming traffic even if it means leaving the roadway try to hit something that will give way try to make it a glancing blow or sideswipe