Drivers Exam: Chapter 9

vehicle breakdown

1. if you can't get the car off the pavement, get everyone out of the car and off the road. portable warning devices should be used to warn oncoming traffic. 2. move your car off the pavement to the side of the road. a car with a flat or blowout can be driven slowly off the road. 3. turn on your emergency warning lights. if you do not have warning lights, use your taillights. at night, in addition to your taillights, turn the lights on inside of the car. 4. tie a white cloth to your radio antenna, door handle, or some other place where it may be easily seen. if you do not have a white cloth, raise your hood.

leaving the highway

1. move into the proper lane well in advance of the exit. the greater the amount of traffic the earlier you should move into the proper lane. exit signs are usually placed at least 1,000 yards ahead of the exit. 2. slow down on the exit ramp so by the time you are off the highway, you are within the new, slower speed limit. until you become used to the new, slower speed, watch your speedometer.

share the road with bicycles

a bicycle is a vehicle. any person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and responsibilities as a driver of a vehicle.

observe specific instructions

observe specific instructions indicating the lane you should drive in.

right turns

pay attention to turn signals. trucks make wide, right turns and sometimes leave an open space to the right just before the turn. to avoid a crash, don't pass a truck on the right if there is a possibility the truck might make a right turn.

fighting highway hypnosis

a condition of drowsiness or unawareness can be brought on by reduced activity and steady sounds of wind, engine, and tire hum. this is known as highway hypnosis. All drivers should be aware of its danger and of the methods for fighting it. 1. stop often. even if you are feeling well you should stop at least every two hours or every 100 miles. get out of your car and walk around. allow your muscles to relax. 2. do not drive more than eight hours per day. 3. keep shifting your eyes. look at different objects; near and far, left and right. read the road signs as you approach them. check your rearview mirror.

large vehicles

a large vehicle such as a van, bus, or truck can block a motorcycle from a driver's view and the motorcyclist may seem to suddenly appear from nowhere.

strong winds

a strong gust of wind can move a motorcycle across an entire lane if the rider isn't prepared for it. wind gusts from large trucks in the other lane can be a hazard.

respect a motorcycle

allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, the motorcycle is entitled to a full lane and may need the room to maneuver safely. do not attempt to share the lane with a motorcycle.

look out for motorcyclists

although you may not see any cars, be aware there may be a motorcycle. be careful at intersections, and always take a second look for a motorcycle before turning at an intersection, particularly when making left turns.

cutting off a vehicle to reach your exit or turn

cutting into the open space in front of a truck or bus removes the driver's cushion of safety. trying to beat a truck to a single-lane construction zone represents a particularly dangerous situation. slow down and exit or pull behind the truck.

floods

floods are one of the most common hazards in the U.S. nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related. these are the facts: • six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cards, causing loss of control and possible stalling. • twelve inches of water will float many cars. • two fee of rushing water will carry away pick-up trucks, SUVs, and most other vehicles. • water across a road may hide a missing segment of roadbed or a missing bridge. roads weaken under floodwater and drivers should proceed cautiously after waters have receded since the road may collapse under the vehicle's weight. national Weather Service and Governor's Division of Emergency Management officials say if your vehicle stalls in floodwater, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Better yet, when there's water on the road, Turn Around Don't Drown. saving your life is as simple as choosing an alternate route.

running off the pavement

if you run off the pavement: • do not hit the brakes suddenly and hard. grip the steering wheel tightly and take your foot off of the gas pedal. • use your brakes carefully and do not swing back onto the pavement. wait until your speed is reduced, check the traffic behind you, then carefully drive back onto the pavement.

situations when crashes are most likely to occur

left turns, a car's blind spot, hazardous road conditions, strong winds, large vehicles.

how can I drive aware?

look out for motorcycles, signal your intentions, respect a motorcycle, allow plenty of space when following a motorcycle.

winter driving

most drivers realize winter creates additional hazards, but many drivers don't know what to do about it.

car's blind spot

motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.

backing crashes

never cross behind a truck preparing to back up. when a truck driver is preparing to back the truck from a road into a loading area, the road is temporarily blocked. wait for the truck to complete its maneuver before trying to pass. if you pass too closely behind the truck the driver or pedestrian enters the truck's blind spot and a crash may occur.

rotary traffic islands (roundabouts)

rotary traffic islands are also known as traffic circles or roundabouts. a driver moving around a rotary traffic island must only drive to the right of the island.

headlights

slow down when driving at night and be sure you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights. lower your dim lights when: 1. within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle. 2. following closely (within 300 fee) behind another vehicle. 3. driving on lighted roads. 4. driving in fog, heaving rain, sleet, snow, or dust. if you must park on an unlighted highway at night, leave your parking lights or lower beam headlights on. 1. you must use your headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise, or anytime when individuals or vehicles cannot be seen clearly for at least 1,000 feet. 2. avoid looking directly into the headlights of approaching vehicles; shift your eyes down to the lower right side of your traffic lane. 3. turn signals flashing only on one side should not be used on parked or disabled vehicles.

driving down a steep hill

use a low gear to help slow your vehicle. never coast in neutral or with your foot on the clutch.

brake failure

when brakes fail, don't panic. remember your parking brake and shift to a lower gear. apply your parking brake cautiously so you do not lock the brakes and throw your car into a skid.

flat tire or blowout

when the tires are cool, check the air pressure frequently. if you have a flat tire or a blowout: • do not slam on the brakes. • take your foot off the gas and gently apply the brakes. • steer straight ahead to a stop.

bicycle rules for motorists

1. bicyclists are not restricted to the right lane of traffic. one-way, multi-lane streets are one example. another instance is when the bicyclist is changing lanes to make a left turn. the bicyclists should follow the same path any other vehicle would take traveling in the same direction. 2. motorcycles should merge with bicycle traffic when preparing for a right turn. avoid turning directly across the path of a bicycle traffic. 3. bicyclists are required to ride as far to the right in the lane as possible only when the lane can be safely shared by a car and a bicycle, side-by-side. even then there are certain conditions which allow a bicyclist to take the full lane. a. the person is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. b. the person is preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway. c. there are unsafe conditions in the road such as fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, potholes, or debris. d. the lane is of substandard width making it unsafe for a car and a bicycle to safely share the lane side by side. when this is the case, it is best for the cyclist to take the full lane whether riding single file or two abreast.

entering the highway

1. you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the highway. 2. enter the speed change lane, stay to the right, signal left, and when it is clear, increase your speed to merge with the flow of traffic.

share the road with trucks

whether you are sharing the road with a passenger car, motorcycle, truck, bus, or other vehicle, it is important to obey traffic laws, abide by the rules of the road, and drive defensively.

highway driving

within the past few years, thousands of miles of super highways have been built. they are known as freeways, tolls, roads, throughways, turnpikes, and expressways. these roads are designed for maximum safety, but you must know how to use them properly. in Texas, a highway is defined as "a divided arterial highway with full control of access and with no crossings at grade."

highway safety tip

1. keep a window open so there is always fresh air in the car to help keep you alert and awake. 2. on bright days, wear good sunglasses. never wear sunglasses at night. 3. stay out of another driver's blind spot. traveling where the driver ahead of you cannot see your vehicle can be dangerous. stay behind or go around the other vehicle. don't follow to the side. 4. avoid using a cell phone while driving; use may cause distraction and driver inattention. if you must use a cell phone, safely pull off the road or use a hands-free headset. if you are under 18 years of age and received your driver license on or after September 1, 2009, it is illegal to use a cellphone while driving even if it is a hands-free device except in the case of emergency.

once the lane has been chosen

1. stay in the middle of your lane. 2. do not weave in and out of traffic. 3. maintain a constant speed. keep pace with the traffic. don't unnecessarily speed up and slow down. 4. stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. in bad weather, increase the time to at least four seconds. watch the cars ahead of you. be prepared if one of the cars ahead of you stops suddenly. 5. adjust your speed to allow others to enter the highway safely. 6. vehicles in any lane, except the right lane used for slower traffic, should be prepared to move to another lane to allow faster traffic to pass.

choose the proper lane

1. use the right lane to drive at the minimum posted speed limit or below the normal flow of traffic. 2. using the middle or left lane: a. if you are traveling faster than other traffic. b. if you plan to leave the freeway soon, change to the exit lane as soon as possible.

passing

1. when passing a truck, first check to your front and rear, then move into the passing lane only if it is clear and you are in a legal passing zone. let the truck driver know you are passing by blinking your headlights, especially at night. the truck driver will make it easier for you to pass by staying to the far side of the lane. 2. on a level highway it takes only three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car. on an upgrade, a truck often loses speed so it's easier to pass than a car. on a downgrade, the truck's momentum causes the truck to go faster so you may need to increase your speed. complete your pass as quickly as possible and don't stay alongside the other vehicle. 3. if the driver blinks the truck's lights after you pass, it's a signal that it is clear for you to pull back in front of the truck. be sure to move back only when you can see the front of the truck in your rearview mirror. after you pass a truck, maintain your speed. 4. when a truck passes you, help the truck driver by keeping to the far side of your lane. you'll make it easier for the truck driver if you slightly reduce your speed. don't speed up while the truck is passing. after passing, the truck driver should signal to let you know he is returning to your lane. 5. when you meet a truck coming from the opposite direction, keep as far to the side as possible to avoid a sideswipe crash and to reduce the wind turbulence between the two vehicles. remember, turbulence pushes vehicles apart; it does not pull them together.

allow plenty of space when following a motorcycle

The slightest contact can mean a spill or injury for the rider. Allow more following distance, at least four to six seconds, when following a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. in dry conditions motorcycles can stop more quickly than a car. the Motorcycle Operator Training and Safety Program by DPS was created in 1983 by the legislature to improve rider skills and reduce the number and severity of motorcycle crashes in Texas. a portion of each motorcycle license fee is used to support this program. the program sets up and monitors motorcycle training classes throughout the state and promotes motorcycle safety and awareness through campaigns, exhibits, and materials.

signal your intentions

always signal before changing lanes or merging with traffic. this allows the motorcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position. signal even if you don't see cars or motorcycles. be careful when making left turns across lanes of approaching traffic. look carefully in all directions for approaching motorcyclists. don't be fooled by a flashing turn signal. motorcycle signals usually aren't canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.

steering out of a skid

an automobile skids when its tires lose their grip on the road surface. if the car starts to skid follow these safety tips. 1. don't jam on the brakes. take your foot off of the gas pedal (accelerator). 2. turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. as you recover control, gently straighten the wheels. 3. avoid a skid by slowing down when the road and weather conditions are poor. also, check the tires. poor tires are dangerous. (In the illustration below, the direction of the skid is to the right.)

never underestimate the size and speed of approaching tractor-trailer

because of its large size, a tractor-trailer often appears to be traveling at a slower speed than it is. a substantial number of car-truck collisions take place at intersections because the driver of the car does not realize how close the truck is or how quickly it is approaching. because of its large size, a tractor-trailer often appears to be traveling at a slower speed than it is. a substantial number of car-truck collisions take place at intersections because the driver of the car does not realize how close the truck is or how quickly it is approaching.

winter driving safety tips

equip vehicle with chains or snow tires= chains are the most effective and should be used where ice and snow remain on the road. one word of caution, neither chains nor snow tires will permit you to drive on slick pavement at normal speeds so don't get a false feeling of security. maintain a safe interval= increase the distance from the vehicle ahead of you according to the conditions of the pavement. many rear-end collisions occur on icy streets because drivers don't leave space to stop. snow tires will slide on ice or packed snow. to keep safe you must keep your distance. reduce speed to correspond with conditions= there is no such thing as a "safe" speed range at which you may drive on snow or ice. you must be extremely cautious until you are able to determine how much traction you can expect from your tires. avoid locking of brakes on glazed ice as it will cause a loss of steering and control. every city block and every mile of highway may be different, depending upon sun or shade and the surface of the road. keep windows clear= remove snow and ice before you drive, even if you're just going to the corner drugstore. make certain the windshield wipers and defroster are working properly. watch for danger spots ahead= there may be ice on bridges when the rest of the pavement is clear. snow melts more slowly in shady areas. take precautions when approaching turns. get a feel for the road= start out very slowly. it is useless to burn the rubber off your tires by spinning the wheels. test your brakes gently after the car is in motion to determine how much traction you have. start slowing down before you come to a turn.

share the road with light rails

in recent years, light rail has been established in many major cities in Texas. as you travel these areas, you will notice these trains move along the streets just like other vehicles. light rail is very quiet, in fact the trains are quieter than most buses and cars. so whether you are riding light rail or just walking or driving near the train or tracks, it's important to stay alert and observe the safety rules.

share the road with motorcycles

individuals who operate a motorcycle have the same rights and privileges as any other vehicle on the road. for various reasons, drivers may not see the motorcyclist. approximately one-half of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. A few of the most common reasons are provided below. 1. many drivers tend to look for other cars not for motorcyclists. 2. the profile of a motorcycle is much smaller than the profile of a car, making an approaching motor- cyclist harder to see. 3. estimating the distance and speed of a motorcycle is more difficult than it is for a car. 4. motorcycle riding requires frequent lane movements to adjust to changing road conditions.

before using a highway

plan your trip in advance so you know your entrance, direction, and exit. make sure you and your car are in good condition. if you cannot or do not want to drive at or above the minimum speed limit, do not use the highway.

hazardous road conditions

road conditions that are a minor annoyance to you may pose a major hazard to motorcyclists. motorcyclists may suddenly change speed or adjust their position within a lane in a reaction to the weather or road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, railroad crossings, and wet or slippery surfaces which impair the motorcyclists' braking and handling abilities. expect and allow room for such actions by the motorcyclist.

safety rules for light rails

stop= don't walk in front of, between, or behind a train, trains can't start or stop quickly regardless of traffic flow, do not drive, stop, or park your vehicle on the tracks. It's dangerous and illegal. look= cross the tracks only at designated pedestrian crossings and only when it is safe. look both ways before crossing the tracks. trains travel in both directions. obey all warning signs, flashing lights, signals, and crossing gates. a law enforcement officer will issue tickets to violators. listen= stay alert. light rail is quieter than a bus or most cars. you may not hear a light rail coming. listen for train horns and signal bells. always follow instructions from a law enforcement officer. don't= never race a train, run in front of a train, or put anything on or near the tracks. never try to beat the train to a crossing. even in a tie you lose. never drive around crossing gate arms.

left turns

the most common crash between cars and motorcycles is at an intersection when the driver of a car is making a left turn in front of a motorcycle. over 40 percent of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections. nearly 66 percent of those crashes were caused by the other vehicles turning left in front of the motorcyclist.

car-bicycle crashes caused by motorists

the most common motorist caused car-bicycle crashes are: 1. a motorist turns left in front of oncoming bicycle traffic. oncoming bicycle traffic is often overlooked or its speed misjudged. 2. a motorist turns right across the path of the bicycle. the motorist should slow down and merge with the bicycle traffic for a safe right turn. 3. a motorist pulls away from a stop sign and fails to yield the right-of-way to bicycle cross traffic. at intersections, the right-of-way rules apply equally to motor vehicles and bicycles.

controlling a car in special situations

there is one basic rule which applies in all driving situations, think before you act.

maneuverability

truck are designed to carry products to and from towns and cities; they are not designed to be as maneuverable as cars. trucks have longer stopping and accelerating distances, a wider turning radius, and weigh more. on multi-lane highways, tractor-trailers stay in the center lane to help the flow of local traffic on and off the highway. staying in the middle lane also increases the truck driver's options if he/she has to switch lanes to avoid a crash. be aware of common mistakes drivers should avoid when driving around trucks and buses.