Ch 4 Flashcards
What to do when school buses on roadways?
On a two way street or highway, all driv- ers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus which is picking up or dropping off children. You must re- main stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus’ stop arm is with- drawn.
If the highway
is divided by a
raised barrier or
an unpaved me-
dian at least five
feet wide, you
do not have to
stop if you are
moving in the
opposite direc-
tion of the bus. Painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers. You must always stop if you are moving in the same direction as the bus and you must remain stopped until the bus stop arm is withdrawn.
Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle that passes a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stopped signal commits a moving violation and will be required to complete a basic driver im- provement course.
What are the moped laws?
• You must be 16 years of age or older to operate a moped on a public road.
• Operators of mopeds must have the minimum of a Class E license. No motorcycle endorsement is re- quired.
• Mopeds must be registered annually and a tag purchased.
• Mopeds may not be operated on bicycle paths or foot paths.
• Moped operators do not have to carry PIP insurance.
• Operators 16 years of age or older are not required to wear helmets.
School crossings?
School area signs advise drivers of school zones and school crossings. School zones help protect the safety of students when they cross the roadway. School crossings help inform drivers that children use that crossing to go to and from school.
Be attentive to school zone reduced speed limits, school crossing guards, and unpredictable children, since these situations may require you to reduce your speed or stop.
When children (walking, bicycling or skating) or school crossing guards are present in a crosswalk, drivers must yield or stop at the marked stop line and with- out stopping in the crosswalk.
It is the driver’s responsibility to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Do your part to make every school crossing a safe crossing for children.
Crossing guards are the first to enter and last to exit a crosswalk to indicate to driv- ers that pedestrians, especially children, are about to cross or are crossing. Do not enter the crosswalk while a school cross- ing guard is in the roadway.
What to do when public transit is on the road way?
All drivers should yield the right-of-way to public transit buses traveling in the same direction which have signaled and are reentering the traffic flow from a spe- cifically designated pullout bay.
What to do when there’s a funeral procession in the roadway?
Pedestrians and drivers must yield the right-of-way to funeral processions. When the first vehicle in the funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, other ve- hicles in the procession must have their headlights on as a signal to other drivers not to drive between or interfere with the procession while it is in motion, unless directed to do so by a law enforcement officer.
What is the no zone?
The “No-Zone”
• Blind Spots. Although most large vehicles have several rearview mir- rors, it is easy for a car, motorcycle or bicycle to be hidden in a large vehicle’s blind spot. Do not follow closely behind a truck or a bus. When driving near a large vehicle, be aware of the driver’s blind spots on the right, left, front and behind.
• Rear Blind Spots. Unlike
passenger cars, trucks and buses have deep blind spots Directly behind them. Tailgating greatly increases your chances of a rear-end collision with a commercial vehicle.
• Unsafe Passing. Another “No Zone” is just in front of trucks and buses. When passing a bus or truck, be sure you can see the cab in your rearview mirror before pulling in front.
• Wide Right Turns. Truck and bus drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely ne- gotiate a right turn. They cannot see cars, motorcycles or bicycles directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between the commercial vehicle and the curb or shoulder to the right increases the possibility of a crash.
• Backing Up. When a truck is backing up, it sometimes must block the street to maneuver its trailer ac- curately. Never cross behind a truck that is preparing to back up or is in the process of doing so. Remember, most trailers are eight and a half feet wide and can completely hide objects that suddenly come between them and loading areas. Automobile driv- ers attempting to pass behind a truck enter a blind spot for both drivers.
What to do when passing?
When passing a truck, first check to your front and rear, and move into the passing lane only if it is clear and you are in a legal passing zone. Let the truck driver know you are passing by blinking your headlights, especially at night. The driver will make it easier for you by staying to the far side of the lane.
• On a level highway, it takes only three to five seconds longer to pass
a truck than a car. On an upgrade, a truck often loses speed, so it is easier to pass than a car. On a downgrade, the truck’s momentum will cause it to go faster, so you may need to increase your speed.
• Complete your pass as quickly as possible, and don’t stay alongside the other vehicle.
• When a truck passes you, you can help the truck driver by keeping to the far side of your lane. You’ll make it easier for the truck driver if you reduce your speed slightly. In any event, do not speed up while the truck is passing. After passing, the truck driver will signal to let you know that the truck will be returning to your lane.
• When you meet a truck coming from the opposite direction, keep as far as possible to the side to avoid a sideswipe crash and to reduce the wind turbulence between the two vehicles. Remember that turbulence pushes the vehicles apart; it does not draw them together.
What to do when following a truck?
In general, trucks take slightly longer than cars to stop because
of their size. However, at highway speeds or on wet roads, trucks may have better traction and stability al- lowing them to stop more quickly. A car following too closely may not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid rear-ending the truck.
• If you are following a truck, stay out of its “blind spot” to the rear. Avoid following too closely and position your vehicle so the truck driver can see you in his side mirrors. Then you will have a good view of the road ahead, and the truck driver can give youplentyofwarningfora stop or a turn. You will have more time to react and make a safe stop.
• When you follow a truck at night, always dim your headlights. Bright lights from a vehicle behind will blind the truck driver when they reflect off the truck’s large side mirrors.
• If you are stopped behind a truck on an upgrade, leave space in case the truck drifts back slightly when it starts to move. Also, keep to the left in your lane so the driver can see that you’re stopped behind the truck.
Golf carts rules?
A golf cart may be operated only upon a county road that has been designated by a county, or a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality, for use by golf carts. Upon a determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a designated road or street, the respon- sible governmental entity shall post ap- propriate signs to indicate that such op- eration is allowed.
Operation of golf carts on public roads or streets of this state is granted by F.S. 316.212, however subjected to the fol- lowing conditions:
• A Golf cart may not be operated by anyone under the age of 14.
• A Golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunrise and sunset.
• Golf Carts Operators may cross state roads if the posted speed limit is 45 mph or less only at an intersection with an official traffic control device.
• Golf carts may be operated only on state roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
• All local and state traffic laws must be obeyed. When in a crosswalk,
pedestrians and any individual using an adaptive device will always have the right of way.
• Golf Carts can be driven on the sidewalks adjacent to the state or county road only if the person driving the cart yield to pedestrians and the sidewalk is at least 5 feet wide.
To safely operate on designated roads, the golf cart must be equipped with:
• Efficient Brakes
• Rearview Mirror
• Reliable steering apparatus
• Red reflectorized warning devices
on both the front and rear of cart. • Safe tires
A golf cart may only be operated during the hours between sunrise and sunset. If local government determines that a golf cart may be operated outside those hours, it must also be equipped with:
• Headlights
• Turn signals • Brakes lights • Windshield
*While golf carts cannot travel at high speeds, they can pose risks as there is potential for serious injuries when they come in contact with other motor vehicles that are sharing the road. To ensure your safety as well as others, you should always exercise care and courtesy while sharing the roadway.
Who must obey traffic signals?
Drivers, pedestri-
ans, and bicycle
riders must obey
these signals, ex-
cept when an officer is directing traffic. Stop on the stop line if your car is nearest the signal. Some signals change only when a car is at the stop line. Occasionally, even when properly positioned near the stop line, motorcyclists and bicyclists may not be detected. If traffic signals are out of or- der, treat the light as if it is a four-way stop sign.
Flashing red light?
A flashing red light means the same thing as a stop sign. It is used at dangerous intersec-
tions.
Flashing yellow light?
A flashing yellow light means
you may move forward with
caution. It is used at, or just
before, dangerous intersec-
tions, or to alert you to a
warning sign such as a school crossing or sharp curve.
How and when are lane signals used?
Lane signals are used:
• When the direction of
the flow of traffic changes
during the day.
• To show that a toll booth
is open or closed.
• To show which lanes are
opened or closed.
You must never drive in a lane
under a red X. A yellow X
means that your lane signal is
going to change to red. Prepare
to leave the lane safely. You may drive in lanes beneath the green arrow, but you must also obey all other signs and signals.
What are ramp signals?
Ramp Signals are signals that control the rate of vehicles entering a freeway. The signals alternate between red and green indications and the driver must wait for the green signal before he/she may enter the freeway. Ramp signals are consid- ered traffic control devices and failure to obey ramp signals are subject to the rules of enforcement and fines per Section 316.074, F.S.
Pavement marking RxR
Pavement markings, consist- ing of an RXR followed by a stop line closer to the tracks, may be painted on the paved approach to a crossing.
