Chapter 4

Driving too slowly

A motorist should always try to keep up with the normal flow of traffic, while not exceeding the posted speed limit. Some collisions are caused by driving too slowly and backing up traffic. When road surfaces and traffic are normal, New Jersey law prohibits blocking traffic through slow driving.

Toll Booths

A motorist should stay alert for toll booth signs and begin reducing speed early, as traffic may be backed up at the booth Green lights or signals will highlight open booths A motorist should be aware of EZ Pass booths and lanes, including high-speed EZ Pass lanes When exiting toll booths, a motorist should search traffic to both sides for merging potential, accelerate smoothly and adjust speed.

Weave Lane

A weave lane is both an entrance and an exit for an expressway Traffic may come onto and leave the expressway at the same location This traffic weave causes conflicts, both for motorists using a weave lane and those on the expressway and entrance ramp (in terms of speed and space adjustments) The motorist entering from the entrance ramp must yield the right-of-way to the motorist leaving the expressway

Yielding the right of way

Although law govern the right-of-way, a motorist should always be prepared to yield. The basic rules always apply. Emergency vehicles: when police cars, fire engines and ambulances are giving warning signs (sirens, flashing lights) Buses: when re-entering the flow of traffic Postal vehicles: when vehicle is seeking to re-enter the flow of traffic Pedestrians: when is a crosswalk or seeking to cross road Motorized or mobility-assistance devices: when in a crosswalk or seeking to cross a road Other vehicles that are already in the intersections

Controlled Intersections

An intersection where traffic is regulated by a traffic signal or regulatory sign is a controlled intersection. A single, solid white line across a a road at an intersection means motorists must stop behind the line for a traffic sign or light. Always stop at a multi-way stop or stop intersection. Always yield to the driver on the right if arriving simultaneously at a controlled intersection with regulatory signs, such as a four-way stop. Always yield to any driver already at or in an intersection. When approaching an intersection controlled with a yield sign, slow down and yield to traffic on the intersecting roadway even if this requires a full stop. When making a left turn at an intersection, yield to oncoming traffic and all pedestrians within a crosswalk. Driving on private property to avoid a traffic signal or sign is a motor vehicle violation.

Uncontrolled intersections

An uncontrolled intersection is when two or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device. These are potentially dangerous intersections. Be very aware approaching an uncontrolled intersection. Most of the time there will be a warning sign. Reduce speed and be ready to stop if any traffic is coming from the right or left. Motorists entering the intersection from a private road or driveway must yield to all traffic on the main road. As a general rule, a vehicle on the left should yield to a vehicle on the right.

Passing

Both center lines are solid - no passing allowed One center line is broken - passing is allowed only on the side with broken line Both center lines are broken - passing is allowed on both sides

Blind Intersections

Buildings, parked cars, or bushes can obstruct motorists' line of sight. On rural roadways, trees or crops may obstruct motorists' line of sight. Slow down or stop completely to make sure there is no cross traffic before proceeding.

Speed Control

Exceeding the speed limit is a common cause of fatal and other types of accidents. Always obey the speed limit. Speed affects almost everything that can happen while driving. A good rule is to keep up with the flow of traffic at any legal speed. In order to make safe or emergency stops when necessary, it is important to keep enough distance from surrounding traffic.

Curves

It is important to adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve in the road because cars tend to keep going straight. The best way to enter a curve is to slow down before entering the curve. Do not drift into another lane. Watch for cars approaching that may drift into your lane.

Pass only when safe

Most passing should be made on the left. Pass on the right only on roads with more than one lane going in the same direction if vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines, or if the driver ahead is making a left turn. New Jersey law prohibits passing on the right shoulder of the roadway.

Stopping at Railroad Crossings

Motorists must stop at least 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights, bells or flag signals. lowering gates, or gates that have already been lowered, indicate a train is coming, and a motorist must stop. never attempt to cross until the gates have been raised and lights have stopped flashing. some vehicles must always stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses or tractor-trailers. when driving behind one of these vehicles, always be prepared to stop at a railroad crossing, even if traffic signals do not indicate a train is coming.

Keep to the right

New Jersey law requires drivers to keep to the right, except when passing. Drive as closely as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, except when passing another vehicle.

Using Lights

New Jersey requires all motorists to turn a vehicles headlights on whenever windshield wipers are in use headlights must also be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, during rain, snow and ice storms, and when fog or smoke is present. additionally, headlights must be turned on whenever visibility is less than 500 feet. being able to see clearly while driving is very important. headlights help drivers see clearly. parking lights legally cannot be used when conditions require headlights.

If a motorists vehicle becomes disabled, he/she must

Pull off as far as possible onto the shoulder or median Turn on emergency flashers Raise the hood to signal for assistance Stay in the vehicle and lock the doors Ask anyone who stops to go to a phone and call for assistance Not get into a strangers vehicle

Keep the following in mind when entering a highway, parkway or turnpike

Speed up to the flow of traffic when leaving the acceleration lane Try to avoid coming to a complete stop in the acceleration lane Yield to traffic and enter the right-hand lane when safe Start slowing down when entering a deceleration lane to exit Obey the posted advisory speed limit of the deceleration lane When the exit is on the left of the roadway, watch for signs directing motorists to the proper lane for turnoff If you miss an exit, go on to the next exit

Pedestrians in a crosswalk

State law requires all motorists to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk Whenever any vehicle is stopped to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, it is against state law for any vehicle to overtake or pass the stopped vehicle. All pedestrians in a crosswalk who began crossing with the proper signal must be given the right of way even if they remain in the crosswalk after the signal changes.

Safe Corridors (NJSA 39:4-203.5)

The Safe Corridors law doubles fines on various state highways for a variety of driving offenses, including speeding and aggressive driving.

Circle Intersections

There are not set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times. Never enter a traffic circle without first checking all signs and determining the intentions of motorists already in the traffic circle.

Right Turns

To make a right turn, drive to the intersection as closely to the right as possible, keeping near to the curb or parked cars. Do not swing outward while making a right turn. Do not swing into the wrong lane while making a right turn.

Right Turn on Red

Unless a No Turn of Red Sign is posted, New Jersey law permits motorists to make a right turn at a red light after coming to a full stop and checking traffic. Yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning right at a red light. Look for difficult-to-see vehicles, such as bicycles and mopeds, which may have a green light.

Disabled Vehicles

When seeing a disabled vehicle ahead, a motorist should reduce speed and increase the space between his/her vehicle and the disabled vehicle. This may involve changing lanes. Be alert for pedestrians, tow trucks and/or police vehicles.

Left Turns

When two vehicles converge at an intersection and both have signaled to turn left, extra caution must be applied.

50 mph

all other roadways

When a motorist must stop

at an intersection with a stop sign at an intersection with a red light, flashing or otherwise when a traffic officer orders a motorist to stop when there is a yield sign and traffic does not permit a safe merge when a school bus is picking up or letting off children and/or red lights are flashing when coming from an alley, private driveway or building at a bridge span which is about to open for boat traffic for a blind pedestrian using a white or metallic walking cane, or a trained guide dog, or guide dog instructor engaged in instructing a guide dog for a pedestrian in a crosswalk or at an intersection single white lines show where to stop at stop signs or traffic signals

25 mph

business or residential restrictions school zone - shall be posted with regulatory signs

55 mph

certain highways (as posted)

65 mph

certain state highways (as posted) and all interstates Motorists pay double fines for exceeding the 65 mph limit by 10 mph or more. Double fines also apply to most other moving violations committed in a 65 mph zone.

Parking Regulations

check for traffic when leaving a vehicle after parking. check for bicycles and mopeds, which are sometimes difficult to see, before opening the driver-side door and exiting the vehicle. look at all parking-related signs for parking restrictions. it is illegal to park more than six inches from the curb.

Stopping for a frozen dessert truck

drive past the vehicle at a speed no faster than 15 mph when approaching or overtaking a frozen dessert truck, or ice cream truck, from either direction and it shows flashing red lights, and/or a stop signal arm, yield the right of way to any person who is crossing the roadway to or from the vehicle

cell phones

effective July 1, 2004, motorists in New Jersey may not use a hand-held wireless telephone while driving a motor vehicle on any public road or highway. however, motorists may use a hands-free wireless telephone if it does not interfere with any federally required safety equipment or with the safe operation of the vehicle.

A hand held wireless telephone may be used only in certain circumstances, which include:

for safety reasons or to report a criminal act, and to report: -fire -traffic accident -serious road hazard -medical emergency -hazardous material emergency

Bright and Dim

headlights have two sets of beams. motorists may switch between bright (high) and dim (low) beams by using a switch or button located on or near the dashboard of the vehicle

motorized bicycle/moped regulations

moped operators must wear helmets and obey all New Jersey motor vehicle laws and regulations for motor vehicles, bicycles and mopeds

Do not park

on a crosswalk between safety zone for pedestrians and the adjacent curb, or 20 feet from the end of a safety zone near properly marked street construction in a space on public or private property marked for the handicapped on an interstate highway in a bus stop zone in front of a public or private driveway within an intersection within 10 ft of a fire hydrant within 25 ft of the driveway entrance to any fire station; and 75 ft on the street opposite a fire station on any bridge, elevated roadway or in any tunnel next to another vehicle parked at the curb, known as double parking in any area where parking is prohibited by municipal ordinance

Do not pass

on a hill or a curve, or at any time sight lines are impeded at a street crossing or intersection at a railroad crossing on narrow bridges, or in an underpass and tunnels when a sign prohibits passing or center lines restrict passing when behind a vehicle that has stopped to let pedestrians cross

It is important to slow down

on narrow or winding roads at intersections or railroad crossings on hills at sharp or blind curves where pedestrians or driving hazards are present on wet or slippery roads

Other types of beams (lights)

parking lights should only be used for a short time, such as when a vehicle is left in a permitted zone to show other motorists where a vehicle is parked taillights should turn on simultaneously as a vehicle's headlights and parking lights. taillights become brighter when pressure is applied to brakes, even in daylight when headlights are not turned on.

special vehicle regulations

riders of bicycles, roller skates, in-line skates and skateboards must obey the same traffic laws as drivers of motor vehicles, in addition to having the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles signal all turns and stops, using the standard hand signals. do not ride, skate or skateboard more than two abreast with others. never hold on to other vehicles or carry a passenger without using an attached seat.

Stopping for school buses

state law requires that motorists stop at least 25 feet away if traveling on a two-lane road, or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines, or on a privately maintained road. slow down to 10 mph if traveling on a dual highway, if on the opposite side of a safety island or a raised median. when the bus stops, motorists traveling behind or approaching the bus must stop at least 25 feet from the school bus. if a school bus has stopped directly in front of a school to pick up or let off children, pass from either direction at no more than 10 mph.

35 mph

suburban business and residential areas, shall be posted with regulatory signs

littering

throwing trash, or rubbish from a moving or parked vehicle is illegal