Meat and Potatoes Flashcards
Clearing Intersections
When approaching, turning, going through or starting up at an intersection I look left, right, then left again. I look left, right checking for PBMVs to make sure they are obeying their traffic sign or light. I also scan the driving scene to get the big picture noting anything that can obstruct my vision. I look left again because that is the first lane of traffic I will be crossing. Before entering the intersection I check my traffic side mirror for any vehicles that may be turning in front of me. After I proceed through the intersection I check the right mirror to make clear of hazards.
When stopped in traffic
When stopped in traffic I leave enough space between the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of me, and my front bumper, so that if the vehicle stalls or becomes disabled I can maneuver around them without backing up. The space in front of my vehicle is proportionate to the size of my vehicle. The longer my vehicle the larger the space required.
Count one-two-three after the vehicle ahead has started to move
Count 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000 after the vehicle ahead has started to move before putting my vehicle into motion. This allows me time to bring my eyes up to the driving scene, while providing me with a space cushion between me and the vehicle in front of me.
4-6 seconds following time for speeds up to 30 mph , 6-8 seconds following time for speeds over 30 mph
To calculate following time I start counting after the vehicle in front of me passes a stationary object. 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-000, until the front bumper of my vehicle passes the same object. My following distance is in seconds, and this gives me time to react to changes in the driving scene ahead.
8-12 seconds eye lead time
8-12 seconds of eye lead time is the depth at which my eyes should be most of the time while driving. To establish eye lead time while driving I pick a stationary item in front of my vehicle and count 1/1000, 2/1000, 3/1000 until the front bumper of my vehicle passes that item.
This is my eye lead time in seconds, and is a maintained depth of vision.
Scan Steering Wheels
Always scan the steering wheels of parked vehicles to verify if they are occupied. An occupied vehicle presents two hazards. A person may exit the vehicle, or the vehicle may pull out from the curb. Other signs of an occupied vehicle include smoke coming from the tail pipe, lights on, and tires turned out. If I can not determine if a vehicle is occupied I treat it as occupied. A small blast of the horn, or a loud blast if necessary. I do this close enough to be heard, but far enough to evade if needed.
Stale Green Lights
A stale green light is a light I did not see change, and I am not sure when it will turn yellow or red.
A point of decision must be established between the front bumper of my vehicle, and the stop light. If the light changes before reaching the point of decision, I stop safely behind the stop line. If the light changes after the point of decision, I continue through the intersection without hesitation or acceleration.
Road, load, weather and speed affect the point of decision.
Eye contact
Always establish eye contact with PBMVs to remove uncertainty. 3 tools used to establish eye contact are horn, lights and signals. The primary tool is the horn. A small tap, or a loud blast if necessary. Once I establish eye contact I can expect the person to act in a reasonable and predictable manner.
Pulling from cub
When pulling from a curb I turn on my traffic side turn signal to indicate my intention. I check traffic by looking at my traffic side flat and convex mirrors. Then I check over my shoulder for the blind spot between the fuel tank and drive axle in the lane I am about to occupy. When the lane is clear I can pull away from the curb, not disengaging the turn signal until my equipment is fully in the lane I am occupying.
Use of mirrors and gauges.
I check a mirror every 5-8 seconds looking for lane position, traffic conditions, or mechanical problems. When traffic allows I can substitute a mirror check for one of my primary gauges, oil or water, for normal readings. When checking a mirror or gauge my next eye movement is back to the front. Never mirror to mirror, mirror to gauge, gauge to gauge, or gauge to mirror.
When approaching, turning, going through or starting up at an intersection I look left, right, then left again. I look left, right checking for PBMVs to make sure they are obeying their traffic sign or light. I also scan the driving scene to get the big picture noting anything that can obstruct my vision. I look left again because that is the first lane of traffic I will be crossing. Before entering the intersection I check my traffic side mirror for any vehicles that may be turning in front of me. After I proceed through the intersection I check the right mirror to make clear of hazards.
Clearing Intersections
Keeps you alive at intersections
When stopped in traffic I leave enough space between the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of me, and my front bumper, so that if the vehicle stalls or becomes disabled I can maneuver around them without backing up. The space in front of my vehicle is proportionate to the size of my vehicle. The longer my vehicle the larger the space required.
When stopped in traffic
Have escape route
Count 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000 after the vehicle ahead has started to move before putting my vehicle into motion. This allows me time to bring my eyes up to the driving scene, while providing me with a space cushion between me and the vehicle in front of me.
Count one, two, three after vehicle ahead has started to move
Buys time
To calculate following time I start counting after the vehicle in front of me passes a stationary object. 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-000, until the front bumper of my vehicle passes the same object. My following distance is in seconds, and this gives me time to react to changes in the driving scene ahead.
4-6 seconds following time for speeds under 30 mph, 6-8 seconds for speeds over 30 MPH
Buys time
8-12 seconds of eye lead time is the depth at which my eyes should be most of the time while driving. To establish eye lead time while driving I pick a stationary item in front of my vehicle and count 1/1000, 2/1000, 3/1000 until the front bumper of my vehicle passes that item. That is my eye lead time in seconds and is a maintained depth of vision
8-12 seconds eye lead time
Centers car in traffic lane
