Unit 13: Environmental Risks
When compared with fatality and fatal collision rates on urban roads, rural roads have: -More fatalities overall -More speeding fatalities during the day -More fatal crashes during the day -More unrestrained occupant fatalities -More fatalities in rollover crashes -More drivers who die at the scene of the crash
On rural roads, it's easy to start thinking that you're driving more slowly than you actually are due to a condition known as Velocitation. Velocitation occurs because the experience of driving on an open roadway for an extended period can harm a driver's ability to judge his or her own speed. When this occurs, you may begin to drive too fast without realizing it. To avoid velocitation on highways and expressways, check your speedometer regularly.
When driving in the right lane of the road or while looking for a parking spot, pay attention to the actions of other drivers on the road. Be especially attentive to vehicles parked on the side of the road: -A parked vehicle may suddenly exit a parking spot on the side of the road. -A vehicle may suddenly enter the roadway from a hidden alley or driveway. -A vehicle occupant may suddenly open a door and enter the roadway from a parked car.
Remember that special rules apply when entering or exiting a driveway, alley, or parking lot. -When leaving an alley or parking area, you must stop behind the sidewalk before proceeding. Yield to any pedestrians on the sidewalk and any traffic using the roadway. -If you plan to enter a driveway on the other side of an intersection, don't start signaling until you've entered the intersection so that other drivers won't assume you're planning to turn.
Traffic Circles As we discussed in Unit 2, a traffic circle (or roundabout) is a circular intersection in which vehicles travel counter-clockwise around a raised island. Traffic circles help reduce congestion and the risk of a collision without reducing the volume of traffic in the intersection. The use of curved paths and yield signs helps ensure that traffic will proceed at a safe speed.
Reversible Lanes Occasionally, one or more lanes on a roadway will be designated as reversible because the flow of traffic in that area tends to be significantly heavier in one direction at some times of the day and heavier in the other direction at others. These lanes help keep the roads from becoming congested when traffic is heaviest. They are designated with double yellow broken lines on each side of the lane.
Slow-moving and Non-standard Vehicles On rural roads, you're more likely to encounter inconsistent traffic flow due to the presence of various vehicles with different speed restrictions. These vehicles include buses, heavy trucks, farm vehicles, horse-drawn carts, and ATVs. Drive cautiously when you encounter slow-moving farm vehicles. The drivers of these vehicles do not have to be licensed and often cannot hear other road users due to the noise of their vehicles. Slow down and pass only when you're sure it's safe.
Roadside Communities and Gas Stations When rural highways pass through small communities, drivers may be distracted by restaurants, grocery or antique stores, gas stations, or local events on the side of the highway. Watch for signs and reduce your speed as you approach one of these communities and watch for vehicles pulling onto the highway from the side of the road. Proceed with extra caution at night, as drivers may forget to turn on their lights as they prepare to enter or leave a gas station or other roadside destination.
If you're driving a car with a manual transmission or an automatic transmission with multiple drive gears, it's a good idea to shift to a lower gear whenever you're driving uphill or downhill. -A low gear will prevent your car from gaining too much speed as you travel downhill. -By driving in a low gear while travelling uphill, your car will use more energy to counteract the force of gravity rather than to increase the speed of your car.
Thin mountain air can affect your car's engine and diminish your acceleration and climbing power. Moreover, liquids boil and change to vapor more quickly at a high altitude. If the temperature light comes on or the temperature gauge indicates "hot", stop your car and let your engine idle while it cools down. If you shut off the engine altogether, the gasoline in the hot engine may vaporize and you'll have to wait for the engine to cool completely to proceed. This situation is called vapor lock. If you're not in a situation where you can safely stop your car, try cooling your engine by turning on your car's heater to draw some heat from the engine compartment.
When driving on rural roads, it's a good idea to have your headlights activated at all hours of the day, as you'll be better able to see concealed hazards and alert other drivers to your presence on the road. On some highways, posted signs will indicate areas where you must activate your headlights while driving, regardless of the time of day. Make sure your headlights are activated and drive carefully when you see such signs, as they are generally posted in more dangerous areas.
To determine the best speed and lane position for approaching a curve, evaluate the situation by asking yourself: -Can the exit of the curve be seen ahead? Are there any restrictions to your line of sight? -What is the lane width? Shoulder condition? Posted speed limit? Traffic volume? -Does the curve turn to the left or the right? -How sharp is the curve? -Is the curve banked? What direction is the grade sloping?
Narrow Roadways The width of roadways in the country can vary widely. Scan ahead for changes in the width of the road. If the road narrows or if there is a one-lane bridge ahead, slow down, position your car to avoid meeting oncoming vehicles at the narrow point, and yield the right-of-way if necessary.
Unmarked or Soft Shoulder On rural roads, the shoulder may be unmarked or it may be a "soft shoulder" covered with gravel or another surface that offers poor traction. In some places, like mountain roads, there may be no shoulder at all. Drive cautiously when paved shoulders are unavailable, as it will be more difficult for you to make evasive maneuvers in an emergency.
-Delivery truck drivers loading and unloading cargo may walk into your path of travel. -Buses, including school buses, may stop to load and unload passengers. -Pedestrians approaching or leaving businesses or office buildings may step into the street to cross illegally. -Drivers can become distracted by the amount of road signs, road users, traffic signals, billboards, and activity on the sides of the road.
When covering the brake, be careful not to rest your foot on the brake pedal. This is known as riding the brake. Riding the brake can be dangerous because it will activate your brake lights. If you're not planning to stop, this can confuse other drivers and lead to collisions. Moreover, riding the brake pedal will add unnecessary wear to your brakes.
Frequently, a center left turn lane is the best way to turn left into a driveway or parking lot on the other side of the road. You can also use a center left turn lane to enter the roadway from a driveway. As you prepare to leave the driveway: -Signal that you intend to turn left and stop at the edge of the roadway -Check for drivers approaching from the right preparing or waiting to turn left -Identify a gap in traffic
When leaving a driveway or parking area, you may cross to the other side of the road and complete your turn without stopping in the left turn lane if there is a gap in traffic travelling in both directions. If there is no gap in traffic that would allow you to drive all the way across the roadway safely, you should: -Wait for a gap in the traffic in front of you approaching from the left. -Turn left into the left turn lane. -Stop inside the lane and activate your right turn signal. -When a gap appears in traffic approaching from the right, accelerate and steer into the traffic lane.
Farm and Livestock Crossing Areas Look out for farm animals and slow-moving farm equipment like tractors and farm trucks in rural areas. If you encounter a herd of animals on a highway, stop and let the animals cross. Once they're gone, proceed with caution.
Wildlife Crossing Areas Watch for yellow animal crossing signs and search for wild animals on rural roads, as wildlife that tends to live in these areas will frequently enter the roadway. Be especially careful at night, as rural roads tend to be poorly lit. Remember, if you're about to crash into a wild animal, don't swerve or brake suddenly. Reduce your speed and turn your car in a controlled manner to minimize the impact of a collision.
You can use a center left turn lane to: -Begin a left turn -Complete a left turn -Turn left onto a congested street from an alley, parking -lot, or driveway -Perform a U-turn (if permitted by a posted sign) Because traffic travelling in both directions can use the center lane to turn left, there's a great potential for conflict within the lane. To decrease the possibility of a collision, drivers should occupy a center left turn lane for no more than 200 ft before making a turn. Never use this lane as a regular driving lane or a passing lane.
_Check carefully before entering a center left turn lane to make sure you can use it without interfering with the actions of another driver. _Watch for cars waiting to turn stopped in the lane and cars on the road ahead likely to enter the lane to turn left. -Scan the sides of the road to your left to make sure there are no vehicles about to enter the lane from a driveway or parking lot. -Be sure to check traffic to your rear and signal your intention to turn left before entering the lane.
As you approach a curve, try to identify its type so you can anticipate the maneuvers you'll have to perform and the hazards you may encounter: -Constant Radius Curves require drivers to maintain the same turning radius throughout the curve and are generally easier to see through. -Decreasing Radius Curves become tighter as the driver proceeds through the curve. -Increasing Radius Curves become less sharp as the driver proceeds through the curve.
-Blind Curves , conceal most of the road ahead from drivers. -Uphill Curves , require drivers to increase pressure on the accelerator pedal to maintain a constant speed as they proceed through the curve. -Downhill Curves , cause vehicles to pick up speed naturally as they proceed through the curve. -S-Curves curve , in one direction and then the other direction. -Banked Curves , are higher on one side of the roadway than the other.
Poor Roadway Conditions Rural roads are designed for slower speeds. These roads are paved with different materials like concrete, asphalt, crushed stone, tar, or gravel. Some rural roads may not be paved at all: dirt roads are found in many rural areas. Each of these surfaces provides a different amount of traction, so your car's grip on the road might change. Rough roads, especially roads with potholes, will cause your vehicle to bounce as you proceed.
-Fresh tar is often used to patch rural roadways. -Proceed cautiously in such areas to avoid having tar or gravel thrown on your car. In some areas, mud or dirt from heavy trucks or other equipment may build up on the road surface. Drive cautiously in the rain as this surface can become extremely slick. -In icy conditions, sand or gravel will often be spread on roads to provide traction. When the ice melts, the residual material can reduce traction. -If you must drive through a pothole, brake before you reach the pothole and release the brake pedal before you enter it to maintain control of your car
City driving involves a diverse range of problems that can represent an immediate or a potential risk. -Road width, speed limits, and applicable traffic laws change frequently. -Intersections appear more frequently on certain streets, requiring you to slow, yield, or stop more often, and increasing the risk of a collision. -High volumes of traffic can result in uneven road surfaces while making it more difficult to perform road work.
-Vehicles must frequently cross multiple lanes of traffic when merging, turning, or exiting the road. -Vehicles may dart out of blind alleys. -The driver-side doors of parked cars may open suddenly and block your view of oncoming traffic. -Impatient drivers may compete with you for a lane or parking space. -Your progress may be impeded by stop-and-go or irregular traffic conditions.
Keep in mind the following information whenever driving through a construction zone: -One or more lanes of traffic may be closed. Signs and a line of orange cones will indicate which lanes are closed. Never cross a line of cones. -A flashing arrow may also be used to tell you to move left or right. -Make lane changes in construction zones as early and as safely as possible. -Never stop or slow down to watch road work. Fines are doubled for violations committed in construction zones when workers are present or the traffic flow is regulated or restricted.
According to a study of 11,000 drivers conducted by Progressive Insurance in 2001: -23% of collisions occur within one mile of home -52% of collisions occur within five miles of home -69% of collisions occur within ten miles of home -83% of collisions occur within twenty miles of home This study suggests that only 17% of collisions occur more than 20 miles from home—meaning that a crash is significantly more likely to occur when you're only a mile from home than when you're over 20 miles away.
On residential roads, watch out for: -Hidden driveways -Speed bumps -Cars parked on both sides of the street -Line of sight restrictions caused by bushes, trees, signs, parked cars, or homes -Children crossing unexpectedly or playing on or near the roadway -Pedestrians walking dogs
As you drive on residential roads, you'll encounter a number of road users that may move or stop unexpectedly and which thus require you to drive with extra caution. These include: -Post office vehicles -Construction vehicles -Large commercial vehicles, including garbage trucks, maintenance trucks, and delivery trucks -Motor homes and RVs -Bicyclists, skaters, and skateboarders -Mopeds, motorized carts, and other small, relatively slow vehicles
One-way Streets One-way streets are used most commonly in urban areas but can be found in residential and rural areas as well. Like divided two-way streets, one-way streets allow for a greater volume of traffic with less congestion and greater safety.
As you scan the road, you should identify whether cross streets are one- or two-way, especially if you're planning to turn. One-way streets are designated with: -ONE WAY signs posted on both sides of the street and at the intersection -White, rather than yellow, lane markings -Parked vehicles facing the same direction on both sides of the street Signs will also indicate when a one-way street is changing or coming to an end.
Poor Weather Conditions Adverse weather conditions make driving on rural highways (especially mountain highways) even more treacherous. Avoid travelling in foggy, snowy, or icy weather. If you're caught in a severe thunderstorm or extreme weather conditions, proceed with the utmost caution. If visibility is severely reduced, pull to the side of the road, stop, turn on your hazard lights, and wait for conditions to improve.
Be aware of any hill crest, wooded area, or large truck ahead of you blocking your line of sight. If you can't see around an obstruction, slow down and adjust your position if necessary. Reduce your speed when: -Unable to see oncoming traffic due to a hilltop, obstruction, or curve -Approaching a long line of oncoming vehicles -Meeting slow-moving vehicles -Driving at night
To decrease the effects of high altitudes: -Drink two to three times more fluid than usual (water and juices are best). -Avoid alcohol and minimize the amount of caffeine you consume. -Decrease your salt intake. -Take frequent small meal breaks, favoring foods that are high in carbohydrates, low in fat, and low in protein.
By Junior Kissi 7/02/2016
In urban and residential areas, you'll encounter several types of lanes and roadways designed to facilitate traffic flow that are governed by special rules and which must be used with caution. These include: -Center left turn lanes -One-way streets -Traffic circles -Reversible lanes
Center Left Turn Lane Sometimes, the lane in the middle of the roadway will be marked on both sides by a broken yellow line inside a solid yellow line. These lanes are designated for making left turns only, and may be used by drivers travelling in either direction. These lanes are known as Center Left Turn Lanes, and may be referred to on signs as Two-Way Turn Lanes. They are typically marked with pairs of turn arrows pointing in both directions.
Not all roads in the highway transportation system are the same. Think about the kinds of roads people drive on: Local roads, including urban and suburban streets, alleys, and farm roads, that are usually relatively narrow, restricted to low speeds, and used to travel to and from homes Arterials, such as avenues, county roads, and highways, that connect local roads together, allowing a greater volume of traffic to travel between different neighborhoods and communities Freeways and expressways, which allow rapid travel between different cities, and which can only be accessed through controlled-access ramps rather than intersections
Driving environments are classified as controlled, low, moderate, or complex risk environments according to such factors as: -The volume of traffic -The number of lanes -The presence of intersections and traffic control devices -The quantity of obstructions and distractions -The design of the road -Abrupt changes in the amount of space available for driving
City driving situations in which you should use cover braking include: -While passing parked cars -In a traffic build-up -When many brake lights are activated ahead of you -When the traffic signal is about to change from green to red (If you can see the crosswalk signal facing you flashing, the green signal is about to end.)
Heavy traffic conditions often lend themselves to a situation known as Gridlock. Gridlock occurs when vehicles get stuck in the middle of an intersection because the roadway on the other side is already completely occupied. Don't enter an intersection unless there is enough space on the other side for you to clear it completely. If you're caught in an intersection, you may obstruct the passage of vehicles and pedestrians attempting to enter the intersection from another direction.
Additionally, driving on rural roads tends to be more deadly because: -Vehicle occupants on rural roads are less likely to wear seat belts -Drivers on rural roads tend to use less precise steering motions, making a rollover more likely -Many areas of the roadway are unpaved or poorly lit -There are fewer signs and traffic signals coordinating traffic flow -The lack of public transportation means that there will be more unskilled drivers on the road -Since hospital and trauma centers are farther away, people injured in a crash are less likely to survive
Hidden Farm Driveways and Side Roads Rural drivers may be inattentive as they enter a highway because they don't expect to encounter cross traffic. While side roads in rural areas can sometimes be seen clearly from a distance due to the lack of obstructions, don't count on noticing drivers about to enter the roadway, especially in hilly areas or areas with crops or dense vegetation. Scan the road ahead for places where cars may appear suddenly. Always reduce your speed if your visibility is limited.
Roads with increased traffic flow and volume are classified as Moderate Risk Environments. Urban, suburban, and rural areas with speed limits up to 50 mph are considered moderate-risk environments. Timely recognition of both potential and immediate risks is vital in these more fast-paced environments. The importance of scanning the road, selecting a proper lane, moderating your speed, remaining alert, and paying attention to right-of-way rules becomes greater.
In Complex Risk Environments, traffic flow and volume can be heavy and unpredictable, your path of travel and line of sight are likely to be obstructed, right-of-way can be difficult to determine, and distractions are numerous. These environments, where the impacts of driver error tend to be more severe, include: -Major highways and expressways where speeds of up to 75 mph are permitted -Intersections in urban, suburban, and rural areas
To drive through a curve: -Apply firm pressure to the brakes as you approach the curve and gradually decrease pressure until you reach the center of the curve—braking sharply once you're in the curve is unsafe -Begin to accelerate gently once you have travelled about halfway through the curve, or when the road ahead becomes visible -Avoid speeding, braking, or steering suddenly or excessively, as this may cause traction loss and lead to a collision
Just as you must account for the effects of centripetal and centrifugal force when driving through a curve, when travelling over a hill you must consider the effects of gravity on your car. -When driving uphill, the force of gravity is working against you and you may need to increase pressure on the accelerator pedal or shift to a lower gear to maintain your speed. -When driving downhill, the force of gravity will cause you to go faster and increase your stopping distance. You may need to apply the brakes or shift to a lower gear.
Controlled Risk Environments are places like empty parking lots where a driver can safely operate his or her car without potential conflicts with other drivers. These environments are ideal for a new driver to practice operating a car without worrying about typical roadway hazards. Nevertheless, even in these environments, drivers can be endangered by their own unsafe actions, such as accelerating too fast, braking suddenly, or backing up at an unsafe speed.
Lightly-travelled, two-lane roads in the city or in rural or suburban areas are generally considered to be Low Risk Environments. In these areas, the speed limit is usually restricted to 35 mph or less and there are fewer right-of-way conflicts. Typically, traffic volume will be low and your line of sight and path of travel will be open in these environments, so you'll have more time to identify risks. Remember to drive at a suitable speed for current conditions and watch out for obstructions like delivery trucks, children, parked cars, trees, and buildings.