Unit 9: Sharing the Road

What are some common mistakes that passenger vehicle drivers make while driving around large trucks?

(a) cutting off a truck to reach an exit or make a turn, (b) lingering alongside a truck when passing, (c) following too closely or tailgating the truck, and (d) underestimating the size and speed of approaching trucks.

If you accidentally kill or injure an animal, what should you do?

(a) pull over, (b) try to locate the owner, (c) call the humane society, police or CHP, (d) never leave the injured animal to die, and (e) never try to move an injured animal.

What are some of the benefits of carpooling?

(a) reduced wear and tear on your vehicle, (b) reduced costs for car maintenance, gas, and possibly insurance rates, (c) it provides a customized transportation service, (d) reduced stress, (e) reduced need for parking, (f) increased free time for riders, (g) if a carpool lane is available, trips may take less time, and (h) reduced pollution due to auto emissions.

The stopping distance for a freight train of approximately 6,000 tons, traveling at 55 mph, is _____.

1 mile

If you fail to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, you may be fined up to $____ and your license can be suspended for a period of 1 year.

1,000

Over ___ bicyclists are killed each year in California.

100

Over ___ people are injured or killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property each year.

1000

If during the last 100 feet of approaching a railroad crossing, you cannot see the track for at least 400 feet in both directions, you may not cross the tracks at a speed faster than _____ MPH.

15

49% of all bicyclist deaths occur to youths age __ or younger.

16

A trains strikes a pedestrian or vehicle about once every __ hours. The impact of a train with a vehicle has the same ratio as a vehicle running over an aluminum can.

2

Near a school, the speed limit is __ mph.

25

Bicyclists can be fined up to $___.

250

Children under the age of 15 account for about __% of pedestrian victims and about __% of bicycle victims.

29, 28

The majority of vehicle-train crashes occur when the train is traveling less than __ miles per hour.

30

It is against the law to follow within ___ feet of any emergency vehicle that is answering an emergency call.

300

You should increase the cushion of space in front of your vehicle to at least _ seconds when you see a bus or school bus ahead.

4

Train and pedestrian or motor vehicle crashes are very severe. A motorist is __ times as likely to die in a collision with a train as in all other types of motor vehicle accidents.

40

The average passenger vehicle traveling at 55 MPH can stop in about how many feet?

400

In any given year, over ___ people die and an additional ___ or more are seriously injured in highway-rail grade crossing collisions.

400, 1300

Nearly __% of collisions at public grade crossings occur where active warning devices (gates, lights, bells) exist.

50

Every _ hours a bicyclist is fatally injured in the US.

6

You may not park within how many feet of a railroad track?

7.5

A large truck traveling at 55 MPH can take almost ___ feet to stop.

800

In the last 10 years, what percent of all people who have died in work zone crashes have been motorists?

98%

__% of multiple vehicle collisions and __% of single vehicle accidents resulted in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider; __% resulted in more than a minor injury.

98, 96, 45

Define pedestrian.

A pedestrian is a person on foot or using a conveyance propelled by human power.

Fines are tripled for certain violations committed in highway construction or maintenance zones when workers are present and/or traffic is regulated or restricted by Caltrans or local authorities. (T/F)

False, doubled

Some traffic signals are used to control traffic for trolleys and light rail trains only. The lights on these signals are marked with a "_" and are used to control trolley and light rails train traffic only.

T

True or False: You shouldn't pull in front of a large truck and suddenly slow down or stop. Justify your answer.

The trucker will not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid crashing into you.

Motorists failing to yield the right-of-way to a bicycle cause 42% of bicycle-related accidents. (T/F)

True

86% of all bicycle accidents involve an automobile or truck. (T/F)

True, duh

39% of bicycle accidents occur because cars make turns without noticing bicyclists. 87% of bicyclists in California who die in an accident were not wearing a safety helmet.

Yes

If you are in the middle of an intersection and you hear an emergency vehicle coming, what should you do?

You should not stop for an emergency vehicle in the middle of an intersection. Continue through the intersection and then pull to the right as soon as you can.

What type of sign do slow moving vehicles have?

an orange-colored triangle sign on the back to warn you that the vehicle travels slower than other traffic

In most accidents between a car and a motorcycle, who is at fault?

car

Where are the blind spots, or "no zones", of a truck driver?

directly behind, triangle to the left, large triangle to the right, directly in front

If you are driving on the freeway and an emergency vehicle approaches from behind, how should you yield the right-of-way to the emergency vehicle?

merge out of the leftmost lane, slow your vehicle, and allow the emergency vehicle to pass; you should also get out of the way of emergency vehicles trying to enter or exit the freeway. Do not pull over to the side of a multi-lane freeway and stop-- it is dangerous to do so.

What is the most common type of crash in a highway work zone?

rear end collision

What are the most frequently occurring crash types for motorcyclists?

running off the road, followed by running a traffic control, oncoming (i.e., head on), left-turn oncoming, and motorcyclist down.

What are the two major reasons for work zone crashes?

speeding and inattentive driving

When passing a trolley, you must pass from what side?

the right side

In almost ______ of fatal crashes, the impact point is at the front of the truck, suggesting that most fatal crashes are within the forward view of the truck driver.

two-thirds