Unit 6: Respecting Other Roadway Users

Characteristics of construction vehicles

generally large, loud, and slow. The drivers of construction vehicles may have difficulty maneuvering and their vehicles will have significant blind spots. Drivers of these vehicles may not hear other traffic due to the noise produced by their vehicle.

How to deal with a deer

If you're approaching a deer, try to get the deer to move by honking your horn. Pump your brakes gently to flash your brake lights, to warn any drivers following you about the deer ahead on the road.Do not attempt to get the deer out of the road by flashing your headlights. Bright lights can daze deer and cause them to halt in the middle of the road, endangering you and other drivers. Continue moving in a straight line and press firmly on the brakes to slow down or stop as much as possible before you reach the animal. If you stop suddenly, you could scare the animal and cause it to dart across the road, endangering other drivers.

True or False: A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane

True

True or False: Use the same caution around RVs as you would around large trucks and other large vehicles.

True

Examples of vulnerable road users

include riders of motorcycles, bicycles, and motor scooters, as well as pedestrians.

trucks marked with diamond-shaped placards like the ones depicted

indicate that a truck is carrying a dangerous load and they show the nature of the hazardous material being transported All vehicles displaying these placards must stop before crossing railroad tracks. Make sure you leave plenty of space around a truck marked with hazardous material placards.

what it means If the driver flashes his or her lights at you after you have passed

it is an indication that you have cleared the truck and may return to your lane.

what to do if you hit a parked vehicle or another form of property

try to find the owner. If you can't find the owner, leave a note with your name, address, phone number, and the circumstances of the collision under the windshield.

Requirements for riding an ATV

wear a safety helmet and eye protection, be properly licensed, and carry an ATV safety certificate issued by the DPS.

How to deal with SUVs

(How to deal with SUVs) Even though SUVs are popular as passenger vehicles due to their comfortable size and the extra visibility they provide their occupants, they still must be treated with extra caution. Like all larger vehicles, they can be harder to handle and especially deadly in a collision with a smaller, lower vehicle. Consider that a standard SUV can weigh over 7,000 lbs, whereas the average small car weighs no more than 3,000 lbs. Because of this added weight, SUVs also tend to have poor gas mileage.

how many feet you must stop from a school bus that is letting passengers on or off or preparing to do so

20 ft (from the school bus)

Amount of space you should leave between car and bicycle

3-4 feet Always leave enough space across the roadway (usually three to four feet) to allow bicyclists to pass safely. If you need to pass a bicyclist, leave him or her enough room to maneuver to avoid unexpected activity (such as an opening door) or road conditions (such as a pothole).Whenever changing lanes or entering traffic, check around your car carefully for bicyclists. Use your horn to warn cyclists if you anticipate a potential conflict.

speed limit in construction zones

45 mph on a highway and 20 mph in an urban area Workers use orange signs, equipment, flags, and jackets to warn you of their presence. Don't drive too close to barricades and lane markers or knock them over. It will make the road more dangerous for other drivers.

Amount of miles a train traveling at 55 mph needs to stop

A mile

No Zones

A truck's blind spots They have this name because no car should drive in these spots any longer than necessary. Most collisions with large trucks involve a car that was driving in one of the truck's no zones.

What motorcyclist under 21 must wear while riding

An approved safety helmet Riders 21 or over may ride without a helmet if they have completed the motorcycle safety course and have at least $10,000 in health insurance coverage for any injuries they may sustain in a motorcycle collision.

What is needed to operate a motorcycle

An endorsement To operate a motorcycle, you must apply for a motorcycle endorsement. Before you can obtain the endorsement, you must complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Course in basic motorcycle skills. In addition, if you are not yet 18 years old you will have to take an on-cycle skills test when you apply for the endorsement.

Vulnerable road users

Anyone using the roads without the protection of a vehicle they can occupy

To safely share the road with light rail vehicles:

Be aware of the routes on which light rail vehicles operate. Maintain a safe distance from an LRV if it shares a street with vehicular traffic. Never attempt to "beat" an LRV to an intersection or make a turn in front of an oncoming LRV. Look both directions for approaching LRVs before you cross LRV tracks. Do not drive, stop, park, or walk on LRV tracks except in designated areas when it is safe.

tips for sharing the road with bicycles and motorcycles

Be careful around large vehicles, as one may be blocking your view of a cyclist and his or her view of you. Air turbulence affects cyclists when they pass cars just as it affects cars when they pass large trucks. Leave extra space around your car as you pass. Cyclists have shorter braking distances, so leave extra following distance when driving behind one. Always check for cyclists before you open the door of your car into the roadway.

What to do before passing a large truck

Blink your headlights to let the driver know you are planning to pass

Who must wear child passenger seat

Children under 8 years old or less than 4'9" tall must be secured in a child passenger safety seat.

Keys to Safe Driving (six things all drivers need to do in order to safely share the road with others)

Consistent signaling habits Proper vehicle maintenance Physical fitness Courtesy Respect for traffic laws Good vision

what to do When a peace officer indicates that you should pull over

Continue driving until you see a safe place to pull off the road Stop to the right of the road, signaling when appropriate Turn off your ignition, set your parking brake, activate your hazard lights, and open your passenger window Turn on the interior lights of your car if stopped at night

lane splitting (dangerous and illegal)

Driving within a single lane with another vehicle

What to do while driving around a horse

Horses can be startled by sudden movements or loud noises. Always try to approach and pass a horse slowly and quietly. Be prepared to stop in case the horse becomes out of control, and help the person in charge of the horse if necessary.Never startle a horse by honking your horn, revving your engine, accelerating as you pass by, or chasing the horse. Don't let passengers or a dog harass the horse by shouting or barking. Even a well-trained horse may bolt, buck, or rear if startled by a motor vehicle.

what to do if the truck seems to be approaching rapidly or if you see white smoke billowing from the truck

If the truck seems to be approaching rapidly or if you see white smoke billowing from the truck, move out of the truck's way and allow it to pass.

Rule to follow with commercial trucks

If you cannot see one of the truck's side mirrors, you can be confident that the driver cannot see you.

what happens If you fail to stop when an officer indicates that you should do so

If you fail to stop when an officer indicates that you should do so, express hostility after being pulled over, or refuse an officer's requests, you may be charged with contempt or with resisting or evading a police officer. You will face significant penalties no matter why you were stopped initially.A person who willfully flees or attempts to evade a police officer performing his or her duties can be imprisoned for up to a year. These penalties are increased if a person causes serious injury or death while evading the officer.

What to do due to construction vehicles

Leave extra space around construction vehicles. When driving in work zones, don't stop or maneuver abruptly, because you may be driving in front of a construction vehicle that would find it difficult to respond quickly. You may be instructed to stop suddenly or maneuver abruptly by construction personnel. You are required to follow their instructions.

Side you should pass a truck

Left side (Side you should pass a truck)

when Bicyclists may leave the edge of the roadway and use a full lane of traffic

Overtaking and passing a vehicle moving in the same direction Avoiding unsafe roadway conditions such as pedestrians, potholes, debris, or stopped or moving vehicles Riding on a roadway with lanes too narrow to be shared safely Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a driveway

Vehicle safety

Protect yourself and your environment by getting your exhaust system periodically checked for leaks. Your engine emits dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless byproduct of the internal combustion engine. If there is a leak in your system, this gas could enter the passenger compartment of your car, causing you to become drowsy, dizzy—or dead.When driving, leave a window open to allow fresh air to circulate. Never leave an engine running in an enclosed space for a long period of time. When driving in tunnels, turn off your heating or ventilation system to prevent other vehicles' exhaust from entering your car.

Edge bicyclist must drive on

Right edge

What bicyclist should do (cyclists under 18 must wear a helmet)

Select a route appropriate for their skill and experience level Never ride more than two abreast in a lane Never weave around parked cars Avoid manhole covers, painted stripes, potholes, and other surfaces likely to be slick or dangerous when riding in wet weather Ride in a designated bike path when possible

what to do for a safe traffic stop

Stay in your car with your seat belt fastened and your hands on the top of your steering wheel Tell the officer where your license, registration, and proof of insurance are before you reach for them Remain in your car unless requested by the officer Always act in a courteous and polite manner Instruct your passengers to be cooperative and to keep their hands in a visible place

Signs slow-moving vehicles display

These slow-moving vehicles will often display an orange triangle emblem with a red stripe on each side. In general, slow-moving vehicles cannot travel over 25 mph.

How many gears a truck has to shift to get to highway speeds

To get up to highway speeds, truck drivers have to shift through as many as 15 gears.

Counter-sheer (motorcycle)

To maneuver their vehicle, motorcyclists must counter-steer by leaning in the direction that they intend to move while turning their handlebars slightly in the opposite direction.By paying attention to where a motorcyclist is leaning, you can better anticipate where the rider is intending to go. You should not fully rely on a motorcycle's turn signals, as they are not self-cancelling and the rider may forget to deactivate them.

What a truck drivers must do to stop

To stop, truck drivers must use air brakes that take longer to engage. A tractor-trailer may take 400 ft to stop—longer than the length of a football field.

systems that are used to ensure that a car is shut down and the steering wheel is locked when you remove your key

Transmission park system: shift the transmission to park, turn the key to LOCK, and remove it. Two-hand button system: press the button below the steering column, then turn the key to LOCK and remove it Lever system: press the lever near the ignition switch, turn the key to LOCK, and remove it. One-hand button system: press the button near the ignition switch, turn the key to LOCK, and remove it. Push-in system: turn the key to OFF, then push it in, turn it to LOCK, and remove it. Turn-and-remove system: turn the key to LOCK and remove it.

Certain rules that apply to all trucks carrying cargo or pulling a trailer, regardless of whether it is a commercial truck or standard passenger truck

Vehicles may only tow a trailer, semi-trailer, or house trailer when it is attached by an approved safety chain. The drawbar, chain, rope, or cable used to attach a trailer to a vehicle must not be longer than 15 ft. When one of these connections is used, a white flag that is 12 inches square or larger must be mounted on the trailer.

How to improve safety as a pedestrian

Wear light or reflective clothing to make yourself more visible when walking at night Avoid distractions such as cell phones, music, eating and drinking, and conversation with others Avoid entering the roadway when intoxicated

What to do when approaching a slower-moving vehicle

When approaching a slow-moving vehicle, slow down. From a distance, you may misjudge its speed and need to slow or stop abruptly when you reach it.

off-tracking

When vehicles turn, their rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle is, the greater this effect, which is known as off-tracking. If you're following a truck as you approach an intersection and it shifts into the left lane, don't assume that it's making a left turn. Check its signals. Because of off-tracking, truck drivers will often enter the left lane before turning right.Wait for a truck to finish turning right before you proceed. If you enter the right lane beside a truck making a right turn, your car may be sandwiched between the truck and the curb. If you try to pass on the left, you may be forced out of your lane and into oncoming traffic by the truck's trailer.

what to do when you are involved in a collision that has resulted in injury, death, or property damage of at least $1,000

When you are involved in a collision that has resulted in injury, death, or property damage of at least $1,000, you must report the collision to the DPS within 10 days of the event. If an officer visits the scene of the collision, he or she will file a report with the DPS that fulfills this requirement.If you don't file a report within 10 days of the collision, you may be fined up to $500.

What it means to sign a citation

When you sign your citation at the time of the traffic stop, you are only agreeing to respond to the infraction. It is not an admission of guilt. You will be sent a notice from the court in the mail within a few weeks. The notice will explain the options you have for handling the infraction and the amount of time you have to select an option.

Field of vision

When you're not moving, your field of vision covers 180 degrees or more. Your field of vision is reduced to around 120 degrees at 20 mph, 75 degrees at 40 mph, and 35 degrees at 60 mph.

What to do whenever driving beside a truck

Whenever you are driving beside a truck, keep both hands on the steering wheel and leave as much space as possible by driving in the edge of your lane farthest from the truck. This will help minimize the effects of turbulence and prepare you to deal with the effects you cannot avoid. All cars displace a certain amount of air as they travel along the road, by pushing through it. Because of their size, large trucks push and displace a lot of air. This can cause air turbulence when you pass a truck or when you drive past a truck in the opposite direction. The force of this turbulence can be strong enough to push you out of your lane—and this will put you and other drivers in great danger.

What not to assume when it comes to buses

While you shouldn't assume a bus will stop at every stop, you should watch its signals and be ready to stop or move over when necessary.

what to do when encountering farm machinery

You may encounter farm machinery (such as tractors and combines) when using farm-to-market roads or when driving on the highway in a rural area. These machines can be large and oddly shaped, extending over more than one highway lane. Attempting to pass these vehicles can be especially dangerous.Farm machinery can generally move no faster than 25 mph. When you are moving at highway speeds, you will be surprised at how quickly you reach a vehicle moving at this speed. Slow down as you approach and determine whether it is safe to pass.

Good Samaritan Law

You won't be held responsible for any damages that accidentally result from your care unless you expect payment, are aware that injury will result from your treatment, or are found responsible for the collision.

information that you and any other drivers involved in a collision must share with the police and each other

Your names Your addresses Your drivers license numbers Your license plate numbers The names and addresses of your insurance companies

How much longer a large truck will take to pass

a large truck will take three to five seconds longer to pass than a car

Lights to use when behind a truck

low-beam

What to do if you kill or injure an animal

pull over to the side of the road and try to find the owner. If you cannot find the owner, call the Humane Society or the police. Do not try to move an injured animal, but never leave an injured animal to die—it is inhumane and cruel.

First priority as a driver

reducing the risk of injury and death—both to yourself and to others

Amount of feet to stop from a track whenever a train is approaching

stop at least 15 ft from the tracks whenever a train is approaching

What to do when involved in a collision

stop immediately (Failure to stop is a serious offense. You may be charged with a hit-and-run.) move your vehicle to the side of the road unless it's too damaged to move. Turn off the ignition. Exit your car cautiously to aid anyone injured and identify yourself to all parties involved.If anyone is injured or killed, you must call the police immediately.

Advantages truck drivers have over cars

the greater height of the driver's seat in a commercial truck gives them an excellent view of the road ahead

what to do If you are unable to stop before hitting the animal

you should release your brakes before impact. This will cause the front of your car to rise, decreasing the chances that the animal will collapse onto your hood and enter your car through the windshield. When responding to an animal in the roadway, remember that human life always comes first. Pay attention to other drivers on the road and do not react in a way that would increase risk to them or yourself. If a small animal darts into your path, don't endanger another person trying to avoid it.