Unit 4 Flashcards
Where must a driver stop at an intersection?
If there is a stop line, stop with your front bumper behind the stop line (if you can see the stop line under your driver’s side mirror, your front bumper is close to, but not over the stop line). If there is no stop line, you must stop before the crosswalk. If there is a stop sign, use it as your reference point. Most crosswalks are past the stop sign, so if you stop with your front bumper even with (or slightly past) the stop sign, you won’t be in the crosswalk. If there is no stop sign (traffic light), look for where the curb is cut down for the crosswalk on your right (right lane), or where the median ends (left lane). When the car stops you will feel it relax backward. If you don’t feel the car relax back, you haven’t stopped.
How do you check to make sure the intersection is clear?
After you have stopped, you have to check the entire intersection. Look left, right, straight ahead and left last because that is the first direction traffic is coming from as you enter the intersection. You can always double check back to the right again.
As you approach an intersection, even if you don’t have to stop, where should you be looking?
Check the four corners of the intersection fo pedestrians. Check the side street for a vehicle running the stop sign/red light. Check for oncoming traffic that might turn left in front of you.
If something is blocking your vision at an intersection, what should you do?
You still stop behind the crosswalk and check left and right for pedestrians. Once you know the crosswalk is clear, you may creep up and stop again once you can see past the obstacle and make your left, right, straight ahead and left (left twice) check to make sure it’s clear. Never say “I think it’s clear.” You have to know it’s clear. You have to be able to see past the obstacle at least 1/2 block down the street (or more as the speed of the street increases).
How many seconds of gap do you need between you and oncoming traffic to safely turn right on red?
Much of this depends on how much you accelerate and how quickly you get your speed up to the speed limit. If the speed limit is 35mph and it takes a driver 5 seconds to get up to 35mph, then you need about 5 seconds of gap. If you don’t accelerate as hard and it takes you 7 seconds to get your speed up to 35mph, you’ll need about 7 seconds of gap to stay a safe distance ahead of the car coming toward you. To learn to judge space (distance) and time of oncoming traffic, when you are sitting at a stop light practice by picking a car on the side street that is coming toward you and note the distance and count how many seconds it takes the car to get to you.
What must you do to safely change lanes? How do you know if you have enough room to change lanes?
(SMOG). Check your rear-view mirror and side mirror. Turn on your turn signal and recheck rear-view and side mirror. Always check your blind spot last. If there is a car close behind you (in your lane) with its turn signal on or a car behind you in your lane catching up to you quickly, the space beside you will be closed by that car, so you can’t make a safe lane change. If there’s nothing in your rear-view mirror, then check your side mirror. If there is a car in your side mirror (with side mirrors out–recommended) or you can see a car catching up to you (in the case that your side mirrors are adjust in toward your car–not recommended) the space will be closed, so you can’t change lanes safely. If your side mirror is clear, then check your blind spot last before changing lanes. If there isn’t a gap to change lanes into, turn on your turn signal and match your speed with the cars beside you as you check your mirrors and blind spot. If the car behind you is not passing you then they are letting you in.
What are some common mistakes drivers make when changing lanes?
Slowing down–when you slow down, the cars behind you catch up to you and then you can’t make your lane change. Keep your foot on the gas and maintain or slightly increase your speed to stay ahead of the car in the lane beside you. Other mistakes include the following: not checking the side mirror or your blindspot, looking in your blindspot or mirrors for too long (you want checks to be quick), moving the steering wheel when you check your blind spot, making your checks too quickly (it should take about 3 seconds to make your checks before changing lanes).
What can you do to help you park in a perpendicular parking spot?
Perpendicular parking lots are two-way. If there are no cars coming toward you, drive down the middle so you are as far away from hazards on either side; this allows you to see cars back out and for them to see you sooner as well. Once you see your spot, move as far away from it as you can (especially if you are driving a large vehicle). Turn on your turn signal and slow down. The biggest mistake drivers make is turning too early and finishing on the side of the spot (not centered). Wait to turn the wheel until your side mirror almost lines up with the line (or stop when your side mirror is lined up with the line) and then turn the wheel quickly all the way. As you enter the spot, check the opposite front corner from the way you are turning the wheel (parking on the left, check the right front corner where you will be the closest to the car next to you. Straighten the steering wheel as you enter the spot. Stop before you get to the line in front of your spot. Sometimes you can see the line in front under your driver’s side mirror. When the license plate of the car in front of you disappears you are very close and you have 2-3ft to stop.
Where should you be looking when you back out of a parking spot?
Basic rule of thumb is to look where you’re going. Always make three checks before backing out–look left (rear), right(rear) and out the back window. Search for cars with brake lights (and/or backup lights) and pedestrians. Move your head every 2-3 seconds continuing to check left, right, and out the back window. Once your side mirror is even with or past the back bumper of the car beside you, turn your wheel quickly in the direction you want the back of the car to go while checking the frnt corner of your car as it swings closer to the car beside you. After the front is clear, your eyes should be looking out the back window. Back to around 45 degrees. The more you back up, the more you risk backing into something.
What are some rules for shared left turned lanes?
Watch for oncoming traffic with or without a turn signal or traffic that is moving into the shared left turn lane. Once you get close (within a half a block) to your turn, turn on your signal and make your lane change checks before merging into the shared left turn lane. Get all the way into the lane and wait to brake and slow significantly until you are in the shared left turn lane to help cars behind you from getting too close.
When is it safe to pass on a two lane (rural) road?
You must start and finish your pass in a passing zone (dashed yellow line). You can’t speed to pass a vehicle. The simple answer is don’t pass; it’s too dangerous to save a few sounds, unless it’s a slow moving vehicle. If you need to pass and there is an oncoming vehicle, it has to be far enough away that it looks like it isn’t moving. If you can tell the vehicle is getting closer to you, it’s too close to pass safely. You can’t pass over a bridge, tunnel, over RR tracks or where there is an intersection
