10 Point Commentary

Question 1

CLEARING INTERSECTIONS

Answer 1

• When approaching, turning, going through, or starting up at intersections, scan ahead, look left, right, then back to the left.
• Scan to get “the big picture”.
• Look for any pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and vehicles, and look for any obstructions that may block your visibility.
• Check your traffic side mirror, check your opposite traffic side mirror to clear the intersection.

WHY: KEEPS YOU ALIVE AT INTERSECTIONS

Question 2

WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC

Answer 2

• Leave enough space between your front bumper and the rear bumper,
• Without having to back up.
• The space should be proportionate to the size of your vehicle.

WHY: HAVE ESCAPE ROUTE.

Question 3

COUNT 1, 2, 3 AFTER VEHICLE AHEAD HAS STARTED TO MOVE

Answer 3

• After Vehicle Ahead Starts Moving before placing your vehicle in motion.
• Establishes a space cushion
• Allows you to bring your eyes up to the driving scene ahead.
  WHY: KEEPS YOU AWAY FROM BILLBOARDS.

Question 4

4-6 SECOND FOLLOWING TIME FOR SPEEDS UP TO 30 MPH, 6-8 SECONDS FOR SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH

Answer 4

• When the vehicle ahead passes a stationary item, start counting (1/1000 one, 1/1000 two, 1/1000 three) until the front bumper of your vehicle reaches that item.
• Following distance in seconds
• Gives you time to act to any changes in the traffic scene ahead.

WHY: BUYS TIME.

Question 5

8-12 SECONDS EYE-LEAD TIME

Answer 5

• 8-12 seconds - the depth at which your eyes should be most of the time while driving.
• Pick a stationary item and start counting 1/1000 one, 1/1000 two, 1/1000 three until the front of your vehicle reaches that item.
• Eye lead time in seconds; a maintained depth of vision.

WHY: CENTERS CAR IN TRAFFIC LANE

Question 6

SCAN STEERING WHEELS

Answer 6

• Scan steering wheels of parked cars to see if the vehicle is occupied.
• Two hazards:
  
  • the person may exit the vehicle;
  • pull away from the curb.
• Ways To Check
  
  • wheels turned out, tail or brake lights on, and exhaust.
  • Can’t determine if the vehicle is occupied? Then, treat it as an occupied vehicle.

WHY: TAKE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

Question 7

STALE GREEN LIGHTS

Answer 7

• A light you “did not see change”.
• There’s a point of decision between the front bumper,
  
  • If the light would change…? Would you bring the vehicle to a safe stop behind the stop line?
  • If the light would change, then continue through the intersection without hesitation or acceleration.
• Keep In Mind: road, load, weather, and speed.

WHY: SMOOTH STOPS AND TURNS.

Question 8

EYE CONTACT

Answer 8

• With pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and vehicles to eliminate uncertainty.
• 3 Tools
  
  • Horn - primary tool, usually a tap of the horn, sometimes a loud blast is necessary.
  • lights
  • signals
• Help the other person to act in a reasonable/predictable manner.

WHY. ESTABLISHES EYE TO EYE CONTACT.

Question 9

PULLING FROM CURB

Answer 9

• Turn on your traffic side turn signal.
• Check traffic with traffic side flat/convex mirrors.
• Check traffic side shoulder to check your blind spot in the lane you’re about to occupy.
• Lane is clear? Then pull from the curb.
• Do not deactivate your turn signal until all of your equipment is completely in the lane you are occupying.

WHY: COMMUNICATE IN TRAFFIC, HORN, LIGHTS, SIGNALS.

Question 10

USE OF MIRRORS AND GAUGES

Answer 10

• Check every 5 to 8 seconds for lane position, traffic conditions, and mechanical problems.
• Substitute a mirror check, with one of your primary gauges, oil or water, for normal readings.
• My next eye movement is back to the front.
  
  • Never go mirror to mirror, gauge to gauge, mirror to gauge, gauge to mirror.

WHY: KEEPS EYES AHEAD OF CAR.