- Characteristics of rural traffic—
Roadways-some paved, some gravel, shoulders wide or narrow, conditions can change suddenly
Speed—speed affects line of sight, stopping distance, vehicle control, amount of damage
Typically 40-55 mph
- Characteristics of rural traffic—traffic controls &roadside hazards
Identify the signs EARLY & know the meaning
Traffic controls-provide advance information & warning of hazards, major intersections ahead, unusual conditions ex: curves
Roadside Hazards—uneven shoulders, bridges, bushes, guardrails, sign posts close to roadway, trees, corn blocking side road.
- Applying the IPDE process
Search further ahead
Higher speeds= greater chance of severe collision
less time to identify & respond to situation or hazard
Vehicle control more difficult at higher speeds. It takes longer to stop.
Drive at speed you can brake, steer & control vehicle
- Driving on two-lane roads—curves
Collisions occur because drivers approach too fast
Sometimes there are advisory speed signs posted below warning sign
Approaching a curve do the following: 1. see warning sign 2. slow BEFORE going into the curve 3. look as far ahead to see any hazards 4. stay in your lane or even to the right a bit 5. predict oncoming traffic drifting 6. accelerate out
- Driving on two-lane roads—hills & intersections
Hills-accelerate up the hill, slow as you get to the crest, look for oncoming traffic, be ready to escape to right
Intersections-controlled by lights or stop signs, Idendtify intersections early, vision may be blocked by tall crops, trees, or shrubs so vehicles may be difficult to see
- Driving on multilane roads—with center lines
Drivers should never cross a double yellow line except to make a left turn
Traffic is separated in some way-a median (cement, grass, wide or narrow), guardrail, 2 yellow lines
- Driving on multilane roads—lane choice & turning at intersection
When possible drive in the right lane, the left lane is used for passing or preparing to turn left
Signal early, leave wheels straight when waiting to make a left turn in case you are hit from behind
- Driving on multilane roads—entering a multilane road
Right turns—check left & right, when clear turn into target lane & get speed up to traffic quickly
Left turns require a largergap in traffic, first cross the lanes on your side of the roadway, wait for gap in the other 2 lanes and finish turn. Accelerate to match speed of traffic
- Passing—deciding to pass
Before you pass, assess the situation. Ask the following questions: is it worth it?, is it legal?, is it safe to pass?
Pass only if you can say “yes” to all the above.
- Executing a pass
1. Keep 3 second following distance
2. signal, check mirrors & blind spot
3. change lanes
4. acclelerate to at least 10 mph faster
5. determine if it is still safe to finish pass & continue to accelerate
6. stay in left lane until you can see the headlights of the car you passed in your rearview mirror.
7. signal for right lane change
8. return smoothly to right lane
- No passing situations
They are marked with solid yellow lines, signs can also be used, yellow pennant-shaped signs are on left side of road.
Passing is illegal and unsafe when your line of sight is restricted, going up a hill, approaching a curve, going under a bridge, approaching railroad crossing, if you cannot complete a pass before a no passing zone
- Being passed
Be aware someone is passing you
check mirrors often
move over to the right (position 3) that way the driver ahead can see better
don’t speed up while car is passing you
only speed up if car is having trouble passing you.
- Slow-Moving Vehicles & Animals
Cannot travel at highway speeds
You will approach them very quickly so you need to identify them early
Most SMV’s have an orange sign
Be prepared to pass when safe to do so