Utah Driver Handbook - Chapter 3

Do not drive so slowly

that you become a source of danger on the road.

If parking next to a curb,

the back wheel of your car must be no further than 12 inches away from the curb.

If you are parking uphill beside a curb

turn your front wheels away from the curb and let your car roll back so that the front tire touches the curb.

Roundabouts

were created in an effort to reduce the number of points where conflict can occur between vehicles and other vehicles or pedestrians. It has 12 potential points of conflict compared to 56 potential points of conflict at a regular 4-leg intersection. A typical one has a mountable curb around the outside of the center island to accommodate big trucks and semis as necessary

If a pedestrian is crossing the street in a ―marked‖ or unmarked crosswalk

you must yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which your vehicle is traveling.

If you are parked outside a business or residential area

your vehicle must be clearly seen from 200 feet in each direction.

When you travel through a work zone, remember these tips:

• Adjust your speed to conditions. • Adjust your lane position away from workers and equipment. • Prepare for the unexpected.

You must never make a U-turn

• On any curve. • Near the top of a hill where you cannot see or be seen from both directions for 500 feet. • Where prohibited by an official traffic control device.

There are four points to remember when using a roundabout

1) always yield to the traffic that is already in the it; 2) They run counter clockwise, always enter the it to your right; 3) always yield to pedestrians; and 4) always signal going in and out of it.

The following situations are times when you must make a complete stop:

1. At a steady (non-flashing) red light or at a flashing red light. 2. At all stop signs. 3. At railroad crossings controlled by flashing signals, gates, a watchman, or stop signs. Stop more than 15 feet (but not more than 50 feet) away from the nearest rail until it is safe to continue. If there is a gate, wait for it to be raised. 4. If a school bus is displaying alternating flashing red light signals visible from the front or rear 5. At the scene of any crash in which you may be involved as a driver. You must meet all legal requirements before you may leave the crash scene. 6. When a police or other peace officer requests. 7. Prior to a sidewalk area, or street, when coming onto a street or highway from an alley, private driveway, private road, or from a building.

Signals are required:

1. For two seconds before turning. 2. For two seconds before beginning any lane change. 3. Any time you pull away from a curb. 4. When you intend to slow down or stop. Your brake lights will accomplish this if they are operating properly and can readily be seen. 5. In addition, most cars have an emergency flasher system for use when your car is disabled on the highway. Use it.

To help avoid crashes caused by dangerous lane changes, we suggest that you practice the following simple rules:

1. Glance in your rearview mirrors. Be certain that no one is preparing to pass you. 2. Look over your shoulder in the direction you want to move. Be sure no one is near the left or right rear corners of your vehicle. These areas are ―blind spots. To see the ―blind spots, you have to turn your head and look. 3. Check quickly. Do not take your eyes off of the road ahead of you for more than an instant. The vehicle ahead of you could stop suddenly while you are checking over your shoulder. 4. Drive defensively by making sure your lane change can be completed safely. Be aware of the movements of all vehicles around you. 5. Whenever possible, maintain your speed when changing lanes. A driver who frequently speeds up or slows down creates a dangerous situation for all drivers on the road. 6. Try to help those drivers who check only their mirrors when they change lanes. One way to do that is to avoid driving in their ―blind spots.

20 miles per hour

1. When passing a school building or grounds during school recess. 2. While children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours or when flashing lights are operating

If you desire to pass another vehicle, do it safely and follow these suggestions:

1. Maintain a proper following distance as you approach the vehicle you intend to pass. A way to determine the proper following distance is to use the ―two second rule‖ which means it should take your car at least two seconds to reach the spot that the car ahead of you just passed. You may need to give yourself a ―four second or more‖ cushion if you are driving on slippery roads, following a motorcycle, pulling a trailer, or following large vehicles. 2. Give proper signals. 3. Change lanes carefully. Do not forget to check your blind spots. If you are driving on a two-lane highway, do not start to pass if you cannot returnto your side of the road safely. 4. After passing and before returning to the proper lane, check your blind spot again. Make sure there is plenty of room between you and the car you have just passed. Avoid cutting in too quickly. A good rule is to wait until the vehicle you have just passed can be seen in your inside rearview mirror. 5. On a highway with two-way traffic, get back to the right-hand side of the road before coming within 200 feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. 6. You must yield the left lane on a multiple lane highway to vehicles approaching you from the rear.

Turns

1. Making up your mind before you get to the turning point. 2. Signaling and safely moving into the proper lane well in advance of your turn. If you cannot get into the proper lane at least 100 feet before your turn, do not turn. 3. Giving the proper turn signal at least two seconds before reaching the point where you plan to turn. 4. Slowing down to a reasonable turning speed. 5. Making the turn properly. The following instructions and illustrations will help you make proper turns.

There are several places where you are not allowed to park. These places include:

1. On a sidewalk. 2. In front of a public or private driveway. 3. In an intersection. 4. Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. 5. On a crosswalk. 6. Within 20 feet of a crosswalk. 7. Within 30 feet of any flashing beacon, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal. 8. In an area which is posted for pedestrian use or within 30 feet of the edges of that area. 9. On any railroad tracks or within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. 10. Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station. Also, if signs are posted, you may not park on the opposite side of the road if you are within 75 feet of the fire station entrance. 11. Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping or parking would block traffic. 12. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street (this means that you cannot double park). 13. On any bridge or other elevated highway structure or in a highway tunnel. 14. At any place where official signs prohibit stopping. 15. On the shoulder of any interstate highway. These areas may be used only if your vehicle breaks down or you are in physical distress. 16. Red painted curbs or red zones.

The Procedure for making a Two-Point Turn

1. Signal a left turn 2. Complete a head check for traffic and pedestrians 3. Pull to the left into the driveway 4. Stop and shift into reverse 5. Complete a head check for traffic and pedestrians 6. Turn the steering wheel to the right 7. Back out of the driveway and into the proper lane 8. Stop, shift into gear, and move forward

The Procedure for making a Three-Point Turn

1. Signal right 2. Complete a head check for traffic and pedestrians 3. Pull over to the right side of the roadway 4. Signal left 5. Complete a head check for traffic and pedestrians 6. Pull to the left over the oncoming travel lane 7. Stop and shift into reverse 8. Complete a head check for traffic and pedestrians 9. Turn the wheels to the right and back slowly across the roadway 10. Stop and shift into forward gear 11. Complete a head check for traffic and pedestrians 12. Pull forward into the travel lane

How to Make a Left Turn

1. Well before reaching the corner, signal your intention to change lanes, make a head check to the left, and move into the left lane. 2. Start slowing down, and turn on the left turn signal at least two seconds before reaching the point where you wish to turn. 3. Look to the right and to the left before starting to make your turn. 4. Do not start turning until on-coming lanes are clear. 5. Enter the street onto which you are turning just to the right of the centerline. 6. Do not turn from or enter into the right hand lane. 7. Left turns may be made on a highway across double yellow line pavement mar

How to Make a Right Turn

1. Well before reaching the corner, signal your intention to change lanes, make a head check to the right, and move into the right lane. 2. Start slowing down, and turn on the right turn signal at least two seconds before reaching the corner. 3. Look in both directions before you start to make your turn. 4 Keep as close to the right as possible.

In addition to the speed limits, there are times when the law requires that you slow down. Some of those times include:

1. When approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad crossing. 2. When approaching and going around a curve. 3. When approaching the top of a hill. 4. When traveling upon any narrow or winding road. 5. When special hazards such as people walking beside the road, heavy traffic, or dangerous road conditions exist. 6. During poor weather conditions. Driving on an icy road at 10 miles per hour or driving on an open highway on a rainy night at 25 miles per hour may be too fast. 7. Any time when you cannot see clearly. 8.In any highway work zones where construction, maintenance, or utility work is being done. 9. When approaching any authorized vehicle which is flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights.

Intersections (4-way stops)

If you arrive at an intersection at approximately the same time as vehicles from different directions, the driver on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

25 miles per hour

In any business or residential area.

Backing

Make sure the way behind you is clear before you start

55 miles per hour

On major highways, as posted

65/75 miles per hour

On rural interstate highways, as posted

Continuous Flow Intersections (CFI): Making left turns on a CFI

Proceed just like a normal intersection, but watch for another light just past the intersection. You may see a red light here which allows left turning cars to cross in front of you.

Emergency Vehicles

You MUST YIELD the right-of-way. DRIVE AT ONCE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP