Laws & Rules of the Road Flashcards
What does a SOLID RED LIGHT mean?
STOP. You can turn right on a red light if:
1. There isn’t a No Turn On Red sign posted.
2. You stop at the limit line, yield to pedestrians, and turn when it is safe.
What does a RED ARROW LIGHT mean?
STOP. Do not turn while the arrow is red. Remain stopped until the light turns green.
What does a FLASHING RED LIGHT mean?
STOP. Treat it as a stop sign. After stopping, you may go when it is safe.
What does a SOLID YELLOW LIGHT mean?
CAUTION. The light is about to turn red. When you see a yellow light, stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, CAUTIOUSLY cross the intersection.
What does a YELLOW ARROW LIGHT mean?
CAUTION. The protected turning time is ending, and the light will change soon, either to a red arrow or to a red or green solid light.
Stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely or if your are already in the intersection, CAUTIOUSLY complete your turn.
What does a FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT mean?
PROCEED WITH CAUTION. You do not need to stop, but slow down and be alert.
What does a FLASHING YELLOW ARROW LIGHT mean?
TURN WITH CAUTION. You can turn, but your turn is not protected from other traffic. Yield to other traffic and be alert when turning.
What does a SOLID GREEN LIGHT mean?
GO. Proceed as long as you have enough space to do so without creating danger for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles, and as long as you are confident that you can completely cross the intersection before the light turns red.
What does a GREEN ARROW LIGHT mean?
GO in the direction the arrow is pointing. Your turn is protected and oncoming vehicles have a red light.
What must you do when a traffic light is not working?
Stop as if there is a stop sign in all directions. Proceed with caution when it is safe to do so.
What does a STOP SIGN mean?
MAKE A FULL STOP at the limit line or before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.
What does a RED YIELD SIGN mean?
SLOW DOWN and be ready to let ANY vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before proceeding.
What do RED AND WHITE REGULATORY SIGNS mean?
Follow the sign’s INSTRUCTIONS. For example, a “DO NOT ENTER” sign means do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted.
What does a “WRONG WAY” SIGN mean?
If you enter a road against traffic, “WRONG WAY” and “DO NOT ENTER” signs may be posted. When it is safe, back out or turn around. If you are driving at night, you will know you are going the wrong way if road reflectors shine RED in your headlights.
You are driving at night and notice that the road reflectors are shining RED in your headlights. What does this mean?
You are driving the wrong way and/or against traffic. When it is safe, back out or turn around.
What does a sign with a RED CIRCLE WITH A LINE THROUGH IT mean?
You CANNOT do what is pictured inside the circle.
What does a YELLOW AND BLACK SIGN with an X and the letters “R R” mean?
You are approaching a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop. Let any train pass completely before proceeding. Many railroad crossings will also have a BLUE AND WHITE sign posted with instructions on what to do in an emergency.
What does a 5-SIDED SIGN with an IMAGE OF CHILDREN mean?
You are near a school. Drive slowly, remain alert, and stop for children in the crosswalk.
What does a DIAMOND-SHAPED SIGN mean?
DIAMOND-SHAPED SIGNS warn you of specific road conditions and dangers ahead.
What does a WHITE RECTANGULAR SIGN mean?
WHITE RECTANGULAR SIGNS communicate important rules you must obey. Read these carefully.
What do WARNING SIGNS mean?
Warns of conditions related to pedestrians, bicyclists, schools, playgrounds, school buses, and school passenger loading zones.
Who ALWAYS has the Right-of-Way?
Pedestrians.
What should you never assume with regards to Right-of-Way?
Never assume that other drivers will give you the Right-of-Way. Remain alert and always give up your Right-of-Way when needed to avoid collisions.
What are the Right-of-Way rules at intersections without STOP or YIELD signs?
The vehicle that arrives to the intersection first has the right of way. However, if another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian arrives to the intersection at the same time as you, the Right-of-Way goes to whoever is ON THE RIGHT.
What are the Right-of-Way rules at T intersections without STOP of YIELD signs?
Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road (continuing to go straight) have the Right-of-Way.
What are the Right-of-Way rules when turning left?
Check for pedestrians. Give the Right-of-Way to any pedestrian or approaching vehicle that is close enough to be dangerous.
What are the Right-of-Way rules when turning right?
Always check for pedestrians crossing the street, and for motorcycles and bicycles riding next to you.
What are the Right-of-Way rules at a GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT?
Proceed with caution. Pedestrians still always have the Right-of-Way.
What are the Right-of-Way rules when entering traffic?
When entering traffic, you must proceed with caution and yield to the traffic already occupying the lane. It is against the law to stop or block an intersection where there is not enough space to completely cross before the traffic light turns red.
What is a roundabout?
A roundabout is a central island that traffic travels around in one direction.
What are the 8 rules of using a roundabout?
- Slow down as you approach.
- Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.
- Enter, heading to the right, when there is a large enough gap in traffic to merge safely.
- Watch for signs and lane markings that guide you.
- Travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Do not stop or pass.
- Signal when you change lanes or exit.
- If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to it.
When approaching a roundabout, should you slow down, maintain your speed, or speed up?
Slow down.
When entering a roundabout, who must you yield to?
All traffic already in the roundabout.
Which direction does traffic travel around a roundabout?
To the right (counter-clockwise).
What must you wait for before merging into a roundabout?
A large enough gap in traffic to merge safely.
Are you allowed to stop or pass while driving around a roundabout?
No.
When must you signal when using a roundabout?
When merging, changing lanes, or exiting.
What must you do if you miss your lane when using a roundabout?
Continue around until you return to your exit.
When using a roundabout with multiple lanes, how do you select which lane to drive in?
Based on your destination.
1. To turn right, enter and exit in the right lane.
2. To go straight, choose any lane and exit in the lane you entered in.
3. To turn left, choose any lane and continue around in that same lane until you reach your exit.
When using a roundabout, which lane must you enter and exit in to turn right?
The right lane.
When using a roundabout, which lane must you choose to go straight?
Any lane. Exit in the same lane you entered in.
When using a roundabout, which lane must you choose to turn left?
Any lane. Remain in that lane and continue around until you reach your exit.
Who counts as a “pedestrian?”
Any person who is walking, traveling on something other than a vehicle or bicycle (such as roller skates, a skateboard, etc.), and any person with a disability using wheelchair, tricycle, or quadricycle.
Is it ever acceptable to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk without stopping yourself?
No. There might be a pedestrian crossing who you cannot see.
What should you interpret it to mean if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you?
They are ready to cross the street. Yield to them.
Which groups of pedestrians may require extra time to cross the street?
Seniors, people with small children, and people with disabilities. Always allow pedestrians enough time to safely cross the street.
Define a crosswalk.
A crosswalk is the part of the road set aside for pedestrians to safely cross the road. They are often marked with white lines. Crosswalks in school zones may have yellow lines. Not all crosswalks are marked.
Do pedestrians always have the right-of-way in any crosswalk, regardless of whether it’s a marked or unmarked crosswalk?
Yes.
Some crosswalks have flashing lights. What must you do when approaching such a crosswalk, regardless of whether or not the lights are flashing?
Look for pedestrians and be prepared to stop.
Is it acceptable to honk your horn at blind pedestrians?
No.
Why does stopping in the middle of a crosswalk increase the danger for blind pedestrians?
It could force blind pedestrians to walk outside of the crosswalk and into traffic.
When a blind pedestrian pulls their cane and steps away from the intersection, what does this gesture usually mean?
That they don’t intend to cross the road yet and that you may proceed through the intersection with caution.
What are two ways to identify blind pedestrians?
- They are using a white cane.
- They are using a guide dog.
Why must you look out especially for blind pedestrians when turning or backing up?
They can’t see you coming and may be taken by surprise.
When driving an electric vehicle, why must you take extra care in looking out for blind pedestrians?
Electric vehicles are significantly quieter, and blind pedestrians rely on sound to know whether a vehicle is nearby.
What are the rules if you meet another vehicle on a steep, narrow road and neither of you have space to safely pass?
The vehicle facing UPHILL has the Right-of-Way because the vehicle facing DOWNHILL has more control when backing up the hill. The vehicle facing DOWNHILL should back up until there is enough space for the vehicle facing UPHILL to pass.
Why must you be extra cautious of entering the blind spots of large vehicles and trucks?
While large vehicle and truck drivers have a better view in front of them and bigger mirrors, they also have larger blind spots (also called No Zones) than smaller vehicles. In these spots, your vehicle can disappear from the driver’s view. If you cannot see the truck’s side mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
If you are driving near a large vehicle or truck and cannot see its side mirrors, what should you be aware of?
You are in one of the truck or vehicle’s blind spots (or No Zones), and the driver cannot see you.
What must you NEVER do after moving in front of a large vehicle or truck?
DO NOT suddenly stop or slow down. The larger, heavier vehicle will not be able to stop fast enough to avoid crashing into you.
If you wish to pass a large vehicle or truck you are following, what must you do before starting to pass?
LOOK AT ITS TURN SIGNALS. Large vehicles may APPEAR to be turning in one direction when in reality they are SWINGING WIDE in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION in order to turn because they require extra space to turn.
What are 4 things you must never do when driving near large vehicles and trucks?
- Change lanes directly in front of them to reach an exit or turn.
- Drive next to them longer than you need to. Always pass a large vehicle on the left side. After you pass the large vehicle or truck, move ahead of it. Driving alongside a large vehicle makes it hard for the driver to avoid dangers in the road.
- Follow too closely. Tailgating decreases a vehicles safety distance.
- Underestimate their size and speed as they often appear to be traveling slower than they actually are.
Is it safe to change lanes directly in front of a large vehicle or truck?
No. Large vehicles need additional space in order to be able to stop in an emergency.
Why is it dangerous to drive alongside a large vehicle or truck for longer than necessary?
It makes it hard for the truck driver to avoid dangers in the road.
Which side(s) can you pass a large vehicle or truck?
Only the on the left side.
Is it safe to pass a large vehicle or truck on the right?
No. The driver cannot see you clearly. Only ever pass large vehicles on the left.
What must you do after passing a large vehicle or truck?
Move ahead of it. Do not continue to drive alongside it.
Why should you never underestimate the size and speed of large vehicles/trucks?
They often appear to be traveling slower than they actually are.
Define a SAFETY ZONE.
SAFETY ZONES are spaces set aside for pedestrians waiting for buses, streetcars, and trolleys. Safety zones are marked by raised buttons or markers on the road. They are not to be driven through under any condition. If a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped in the safety zone (or at a traffic light), you may pass at no more than 10 mph.
How are SAFETY ZONES marked?
By raised buttons or markers on the road.
Is it ever acceptable to drive through a SAFETY ZONE?
No.
If a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped in the safety zone or at a traffic light, what is the maximum speed at which you can pass?
No more than 10 mph.
You are driving at 15 mph, and notice that a bus is stopped either in a safety zone or at a traffic light. Can you continue driving at the same speed to pass them?
No. You must slow down to a maximum of 10 mph to pass.
Is it generally acceptable to overtake or pass a light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side?
No. The only circumstances under which you may overtake or pass a light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side are:
1. When the tracks are so close to the right side of the road that you are unable to pass on the right.
2. On a one-way street.
3. If a traffic officer directs you to pass on the left.
What are the only 3 circumstances under which you may overtake or pass a light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side?
- When the tracks are so close to the right side of the road that you are unable to pass on the right.
- On a one-way street.
- If a traffic officer directs you to pass on the left.
You are driving on a two-way street and wish to pass a streetcar. You notice that the tracks are so close to the right side of the road that you are unable to pass on the right. Is it acceptable for you to pass the streetcar on the left?
Yes.
What are the 5 main things to be aware of to safely share the road with light rail vehicles and streetcars?
- Be aware of where they operate.
- Buildings, trees, and other items may cause blind spots for the driver.
- NEVER turn in front of an approaching light rail vehicle.
- Maintain a safe distance.
- Light rail vehicles may interrupt traffic lights. ALWAYS check for approaching light rail vehicles before crossing any tracks. Only turn across light rail tracks when the traffic light indicates you may proceed and remain alert.
Are there any circumstances under which you can turn in front of an approaching light rail vehicle?
No.