Maryland Driver's Manual

(2) Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

"A good general rule is to treat other drivers and road users like you would like to be treated." - Drivers must respect and cooperate with all other road users and conform to specific rules in order to maintain order and avoid crashes. - Some tips to reduce the possibility of becoming involved in an aggressive driving incident are: 1. Allow extra time to travel; 2. Be patient; 3. Be courteous; 4. Concentrateon your driving behavior; 5. Always signal your intentions; 6. Obey all traffic laws, signs, signals and pavement markings; 7. Yield the right of way; 8. Avoid competing with other drivers.

(3) Roundabouts

- Afer entering the multiline roundabout, keep to your chosen travel here. - When preparing to exit, turn on your RIght Turn Signal and move to the outermost travel land as you pass the Exit prior to where you want to exit.

What conditons result in slippery highways?

- After a Long Dry Spell Rain makes roads too slippery to drive on.

(1) Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

- Aggressive drivers demonstrate behaviors like speeding, tailgating, failing to obey traffic signals and devices, erratic or improper lane changes, failing to yield the right-of-way and improper passing. - Some factors that may produce aggressive driving are crowded roads, unexpected delays, rushing, road construction, and stress. Drivers must respect and cooperate with all other road users and conform to specific rules in order ot maintain order and avoid crashes.

Air Bags

- Air bags are important safety devices that provide protection in crashes. - For best protection: 1. They must be used in combination with the vehicle's lap and should belt; 2. Children in a rear-facing car seat should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. 3. Sit as far back from the steering wheel as practical. Try to maintain 10-12 inches from the steering wheel to the chest; 4. Children, under age 13, should ride buckled up in a rear seat, in a appropriate child safety seat or seat belt; 5. Pregnant women should place the lab portion of the seat belt under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt over the rounding of the belly.

Following Distance

- Always maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. - A minimum following distance of 3 to 4 seconds is recommended under ideal driving conditions. - This means it takes you 3 to 4 seconds to get the same reference point as the car ahead of you.

(1) Roundabouts

- Approach roads to roundabouts are controlled by yield signs. Entering traffic must always yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

(2) Roundabouts

- Be cautious when approaching the roundabout the same as any other intersection. - As you approach the roundabout: 1. Reduce your speed; 2. Keep to the rigth of the island; 3. Watch for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk; 4. Cautiously approach the yield line and wait for an acceptable gap in traffic. Be cautious of vehicles exiting the roundabout. If there is no traffic, you do not need to wait to enter the roundabout.

(2) Sign Colors

- Blue: Road user services: such as food, gas, rest area signs. - Brown- Recreation and cultural interest areas. - Fluorescent Yellow-Green: School. pedestrian and bicyle signs. - Fluorescent Pink:Emergency traffic incidents. - Black: Certain regulatory signs, such as One Way signs, and changeable message signs.

Distracted Driving

- Concentration is essential for safe driving. - You shoul dbe constantly aware of the road and the other vehicles around you. Keep alert and you may be able to foresee a crash and avoid it. Constantly check the position of vehicles behind you, as well as those beside and ahead of you. - The term "distracted driving" refers to anything that takes your eyes, hands or especially your mind, away from driving. - Distracted driving is the most common contributing factor in police-reported traffic crashes. Distractions of any sort cause drivers to miss key visual and audio cues needed to avoid a crash.

(6) Types of Line Markings

- Double (side-by-side) Broken-Yellow: Marks the edges of reversible lanes.

(5) Types of Line Markings

- Double (side-by-side) Solid-White: Separation of lanes where travel is in the same direction and lane changing is prohibited. May be used to separate general travel lanes from adjacent preferential lanes, such as HOV lanes. Also may be used in advance of obstructions that may be passed on either side.

(6) Types of Line Markings

- Double (side-by-side) Solid-Yellow: Separation of lanes where travel is in the opposite directions and passing is prohibited in both directions. Left turn maneuvers across this marking are permitted. Also used in advance of obstructions that may be passed only on the right side.

(1) School Vehicles

- Drivers are to stop for school vehicles. - If a school vehicle has stopped on a roadway and is operating the alternately flashing red lights, the driver of any vehicle following or approaching the school vehicle shall: 1. Stop at least 20 fett from the rear fo the school vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its rear; or 2. At least 20 feet from the front of the school vehicle, if approaching the school vehicle from its front.

Dangerous Driving Behaviors: - Alcohol - Drugs - Driving

- Drunk driving is a very serious threat to highway safety. - Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is a measurement of the amount of alcohol in a person's blood. - Drivers are considered to driving under the influence of alcohol, in Maryland, when their Blood Alcohol Concentration is .08 or higher.

Seat Belt Law

- Everyone must wear a seat belt in the car when it's in motion. - In addition, any individual under the age of 16 must wear a seat belt or be restrained in a child safely seat if applicable, regardless of seating position. - If a driver under the age of 18, and holds a provisioanl license, the driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt or be in a safety seat if applicable.

(2) Excessive Speed

- Excessive vehicle speed has severe and often time disastrous effects because it: 1. Reduces the ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway; 2. Extends the distance necessary for a vehicle to stop; 3. Decreases the driver's ability to realize and react to a hazard or dangerous situation; 4. Increases the risk of crashes because other roadway users and pedestrians may not be able to judge distance accurately; 5. Increases the force and impact in a crash, which more likely results in serious bodily injuries and deaths.

(3) Traffic Signals

- Flashing Red Signal: (1) Come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, prior to the crosswalk and before entering the intersection. Yield to all other traffic and pedestrians. Proceed when the way is clear. (2) If an alternately flashing red signal is located at a railroad crossing, you must come to a complete stop, even if you don't see a train, and proceed when the way is clear. - Flashing Yellow Signal: (1) You must slow down and proceed with caution. - Flashing Red Arrow Signal: (1) Come to a complete stop before reaching the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection and yield to all other traffic and to pedestrians. (2) Proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear.

(2) Headlight Use

- High Beams: Use high beams on open roads, which are not lighted by streetlights, in order to see persons or vehicles ahead. - Be aware, you must, 1. Change to low beam at least 500 feet before meeting oncoming vehicles. 2. Change to low beam when following a vehicle at a distance of 300 feet or less.

(2) Slow Moving Vehicles

- If you must follow the slower moving vehicle waiting for a safe time to pass, use your emergency flashers to help warn others coming up behind you.

Funeral Possession

- If you see a funeral procession, you: - Must yield the right-of-way to any vehicles in the funeral procession. - Vehicles driven in a funeral possession must have headlights turned on and hazard lights flashing in order to be granted the right-of-way. - A vehicle driven in a funeral possession facing a red signal may continue through or make a turn at an intersection. - Other vehicles, even if they have a green signal, must yield the right-of-way to the vehicles in the funeral possession until all vehicles in the possession have passed, unless they can safely proceed without crossing the path of the possession.

(1) Excessive Speed

- Increases the likelihood of serious bodily injuries and death. - Excessive speed is one of the most common contributing factors of vehicle crashes. - Excessive speed does not save time and often leads to high-risk decision-making.

(4) Lane Use Signals

- Lane Use Signals: + These signals are used to control traffic flow by reversing a lane's direction during different hours of the day. + These lanes and their directions may be marked with signs, signals and markings. 1. You must never drive in a lane under a red "X" signal. 2. You are permitted to drive in a lane under a green arrow signal. 3. A steady yellow "X" signal means a driver should move out of the lane as soon as safely possible. 4. A flashing yellow "X" signal or two-way left-turn arrows mean that a driver is permitted to use the lane for a left turn. + It is likely that you will be sharing the lane with left-turning vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

(1) Headlight Use

- Low Beams: 1. Operating your vehicle in normal dring sitautions, such as driving at night on a highway or roadway with streetlights. 2. Folowing another vehicles. 3. Driving in fog, rain, snow, etc. 4. Entering a tunnel or construction area. While not required by law in all areas, this increases visibility to toher motorists and construction workers.

Drowsy Driving

- No getting enough sleep is another cause of poor driving behavior. - Sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness and impaired judgment, just like drugs or alcohol. A lack of sleep can significantly increase your chances of being involved in a crash. - Some drivers are at a higher risk for feeling drowsy while operating a vehicle. Examples include individuals who drive many miles each day, those with sleep disorders, and those taking certain medications.

When preparing to drive, you should:

- Properly adjust your seat and mirrors.

(1) Sign Colors

- Red: Prohibitive: Stop, yield, don't enter, or wrong way. - Yellow: General warning of what to expect ahead. - White: Regulatory: such as speed limit, keep right, and some guide signs. - Orange: Construction and maintenance work area warning. - Green: Guidance information: destination, distances, and directions.

(1) Right-of-Way

- Right-of-way rules provide drivers with guidance for situations when other drivers or pedestrians are present. These rules determine which driver should yield the right-of-way and the sequence for entering and driving through an intersection or other driving scenarios. - Although the right-of-way rules provide a guide to determine who should yield the right-of-way, no one should assume they automatically have the right-of-way. The situation and circumstances at the intersection must always be considered. - "You are responsible for controlling your vehicle as necessary to avoid a crash."

(2) Sharing the Road: "No-Zones"

- Side No-Zones: Trucks and buses have blind spots on both sides. If you cannot see the driver's face in the side-view mirror, he or she can't see you. If the truck changes lanes, you can be in trouble. The right side blind spot runs the length of the trailer and extends out three lanes. - Rear No-Zones: Avoid tailgating. Unlike cars, trucks and buses have hug no zones directly behind them. The truck or bus driver cannot see your car back there. If the truck or bus brakes suddenly, you have no place to go. - Front No-Zones: (10' to 20') Do not cut in front too soon after passing a truck of bus. Truck and bus drivers need nearly twice the time and room to stop as cars. Look for the entire front of the truck in your rear view mirror before you pull in front, and then do not slow down. - Backing Up No-Zones: (200'/180' ft) Never cross behind a truck that is backing up. Hundreds of motorists are killed or injured each year by ignoring trucks that are backing up. Truck drivers don't have a read view mirror and my not see you cutting in behind them.

(1) Types of Line Markings

- Single Broken-White: Separation of lines where travel is in the same direction, and crossing from one lane to the other is permitted; i.e. lane lines on multi-lane roadways.

(2) Types of Line Markings

- Single Broken-Yellow: Separation of lanes where travel is in opposite directions, and where passing with care is permitted; i.e. centerline on 2-line, 2-way roadways.

(8) Types of Line Markings

- Single Dotted-Yellow or White: Extension of lines through intersections. Color the same as that of the line being extended. Also used to separate turn, entrance and exit lanes from through lanes.

(3) Types of Line Markings

- Single Solid-White: Marks the right edge of the roadway and the separation of lanes where travel is in the same direction, but where lane changing is discouraged. Also used in advance of obstructions that may be passed to either side; i.e. right edge lanes and lane line at intersection approaches.

(4) Types of Line Markings

- Single Solid-Yellow: Marks left edge lines on divided highways, one-way roads, and ramps.

(7) Types of Line Markings

- Solid plus Broken-Yellow: Separation of lanes where travel is in opposite directions and passing is permitted with care for traffic adjacent to the solid line. Used on two-way roadways where passing is permitted in only one direction. Also used to mark edges of two-way left turn lanes- solid lines on the outside, broken lines on the inside.

(2) Traffic Signals

- Steady Red Arrow Signal: (1) If you intend to move in the direction indicated by the arrow, come to a complete stop before reaching the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection. (2) Remain stopped as long as the arrow signal is red. - Steady Yellow Arrow Signal: (1) This means that the movement indicated by the arrow is ending. (2) You should slow down and proceed with caution. - Steady Green Arrow Signal: (1) Proceed with caution in the direction the arrow points. (2) Remember that you must yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

(1) Traffic Signals

- Steady Red Signal: (1) Come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, prior to the crosswalk and before entering the intersection, and remain stopped as long as the signal is red. (2) When turning on a red signal, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and all other traffic. - Steady Yellow Signal: (1) This means that the signal is changing from green to red. Its purpose is to provide time for approaching traffic to stop safely and to clear other vehicles from the intersection before the signal turns red. (2) If you are too close to the intersection to stop safely, continue through the intersection with care. - Steady Green Signal: (1) Proceed with caution after you have checked first to see that other vehicles have cleared the intersection. (2) When it is safe to proceed, you may enter the intersection to go straight-ahead or tune unless a sign or additional signal prohibits the turn. (3) You must yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

In inclement weather, you should:

- Steer and brake smoothly.

(2) School Vehicles

- The driver of any vehicle following or approaching the school vehicle may not proceed until the school vehicle resumes motion or the alternately flashing red lights are deactivated. - This does not apply to the driver of a vehicle on a physically divied highway.

(1) Sharing the Road: "No-Zones"

- There are four blind spots around trucks where cars "disappear" from view and the driver cannot see you. Remember, if youu cannot see a truck's mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you!

(3) Driving in Fog

- There are some unique circumstances while DRIVING IN FOG that require additional actions on the part of the driver. - Below are some general guidelines and requirements foroperation a vehicle in foggy conditions: 1. Reduce your normal driving speed. 2. When you see headlights or another vehicle's taillights ahead, reduce speed still further. You must be prepared to stop quickly. 3. If the fog is so thick that you cannot safely operate your vehicle, pull completely off the road to a safe loaction and turn on your emergency flashers. 4. Use Low Beam Headlights only, and if you have them, special fog lights.

Service Information and Guide Signs

- These signs identify the commercial business, product or service offered at particular exits.

(1) Traffic Warning Signs

- These signs provide notice to road users of a situation that might not be readily apparent.

(1) Basic Rules for Headlight Usage-

- When driiving, you must turn on your headlights anytime there is not enough light to clearly see at least 1,000 feet ahead of your vehicle. - Key times to use headlights are nighttime, foggy conditions and stormy weather. Maryland law requires that you turn on your headlights when you are using your windshield wipers in inclement weather.

Work Zones (Unexpected Conditions)

- Work zones are set up with your safety in mind. - Follow these safety rule swhile traveling in work zones: 1. Stay alert - make saety your first priority; 2. Watch your speed - obey posted speed limits and be aware that speed cameras may be in use and speeding fines may be much higher in work zones; 3. Expect the unexpected - work zone conditions change constantly - be ready to react; 4. Minimize distractions - avoid using cell phones, chaning radio stations and other distractions; 5. Pay close attention - obey work zone signs and watch for workers, pedestrians and bicyclists; 6. Drive courteously - merge with caution, don't tailgate and don't change lanes unnecessarily; 7. Respect the flagger - obey the flagger's directions.

(1) Slow Moving Vehicles

- You may encounter slow moving vehicles on the roadways, including bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, and farm vehicles. - Some of these vehicles may have the slow-moving emblem (shown) on the back of the vehicle to Help warn you they are only going 25 mph or less. 1. Be constantly aware of any vehicles that might be traveling at a much slower speed. 2. Adjust the speed and portion of your vehicle accordingly. 3. Only pass the slow moving vehicles when it is safe to do so.

(1) Interstate Driving

1. Entering the Interstate: - Interstate and other limited access highways are usually reached by an entrance ramp and an acceleration lane. - The entrance ramp provides access to the highway and the acceleration lane provides the opportunity to get up to the speed of the traffic already on the interstate or highway. - When entering an interstate, the solid painted lines that divide the entrance and the interstate should not be crossed.

(2) Interstate Driving

1. Entering the interstate: Question- - You are car "A." When merging with traffic flow, you should try to enter: Answer- - At speeds lower than the traffic flow.

(2) Interstate Driving

2. Exiting the Interstate: - Move to the appropriate lane well before reaching the exit. - Start slowing down as soon as you enter the Deceleration Lane and continue slowing to the posted advisory speed for th eramp. - If you exit at the wrong place on a interstate, continue until you are off the exit ramp and look for a way to re-enter the interstate. Never stop and back up on any portion of the interstate.

(3) Interstate Driving

3. Stopping: - Stoping on the traveled portion of a highway is prohibited. Stopping on the shoulder is permitted only when your vehicle is disabled or in other emergencies. - If you must stop on the shoulder of the interstate or highway, turn on your emergency flashers to warn other drivers and stay inside your vehicle if you can. The extremely high speed of traffic makes standing or walking along an interstate highway very dangerous.

MVA will suspend the license of any driver who:

Refuses to submit to a test to determine BAC.

(2) Right-of-Way

You should yield the right-of-way to: 1. The driver who is at or arrives before you at the intersection; 2. Drivers in the opposing traffic lane, when you are making a left turn; 3. The driver on your right, if both of you arrive at the intersection at the same time; 4. Drivers on a publie highway, if you are entering the highway from the driveway or a private road; 5. Drivers already on a limited accessor interstate highway, if you are on the entrance or acceleration ramp; 6. The driver on your right at a four way intersection controlled by stop signs; 7. Pedestrains, bicyclists, and other drivers who are still in the intersection; 8. Drivers on the through highway, if you at a "T" intersection and you are entering the through highway by either making a right of left turn; 9. Other drivers, if you are approaching an intersection with a Yield sign facing you.

Hydroplaning

________ occurs on wet roads when your front tires start to ride on a cushion of water and the tires lose control with the road. - To prevent it, maintain your tires in a good condition, and lower your speed in repsonse to wet roads. - If you detect a loss of control, take your foot off the gas, don't apply the brakes, maintain the direction of the vehicle, and allow the vehicle to slow to a manageable speed.