Session 21: Communicating with other drivers

Which of the following situations would call for a light tap of your horn?

a. Greeting a friend. (b.) When you are passing a driver who starts to turn in your lane. c. When a driver doesn't react quickly enough at a green light. d. All of the above.

To reduce tension when you are driving, you should:

a. plan your time to avoid racing against the clock. b. plan your schedule to avoid rush hour traffic. c. create a soothing environment (music, passenger compartment temperature, seats, etc.). (d.) all of these.

When you cross paths with an aggressive driver, you should:

a. take a course in anger management. b. stop your vehicle immediately and ignore the aggressive driver. (c.) make note of the license number and report the event to the authorities. d. all of these.

How far before a turn should you signal?

a. 50 feet. (b.) 100 feet. c. 200 feet. d. 300 feet.

left turn hand signal

hand pointing out straight

right turn hand signal

hand pointing up

A car can disappear from a truck's view while:

it is up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on either side of the truck (especially alongside the cab), and up to 200 feet behind! These areas are all part of what is called the "No Zone".

Drivers must always keep in mind that:

(a.) their driving can be affected by emotional factors. b. their driving will affect their physical condition. c. emotional factors have little effect on their driving. d. all of the above.

In is raining extremely hard as you are driving down the highway. What should you do to make your vehicle more visible to other road users?

(a.) Turn on your headlights. b. Turn on your parking lights. c. Turn on your high beams. d. None of the above.

If you have vehicle troubles at night, what should you do to avoid an accident?

(a.) Turn on your emergency flashers. b. Turn on your high beam lights then your low beam lights. c. Shift into a higher gear. d. Use hand signals and your high beams.

When NOT to use your horn: There are several occasions when you should not use your horn. They include:

- encouraging someone to drive faster or get out of the way. - informing other drivers of an error. - greeting a friend. - around blind pedestrians. - around animal-drawn vehicles or animals being - herded on the roadway.

If available, use your 2-way radio or cellphone to notify authorities that your vehicle or another has broken down. Many roadways have signs that tell you the CB channel or telephone number to call in an emergency. If you are having vehicle trouble and have to stop:

- get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic, if at all possible. - turn on your (4-way) emergency flashers to show you are having trouble. - try to stop where other drivers have a clear view of your vehicle if you cannot get completely off the road. (Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve.) - stand by the side of the road where you are safe from traffic, if you do not have emergency flares or other warning devices. - never stand in the roadway. Do not try to change a tire if it means you will be in a traffic lane. - raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna, side mirror or door handle to signal an emergency.

Signal when you slow down:

- to turn off a roadway which does not have separate turn or exit lanes. - to park or turn just before an intersection. Traffic following you may expect you to continue to the intersection. - to avoid something in the road, or for stopped or slowing traffic that a driver behind you cannot see.

Give your horn a double light tap if:

- when a person on foot or on a bicycle appears to be moving into your lane of travel. However, pedestrians and bicyclists crossing at an intersection have the right-of-way. Do not use your horn in these instances, but do yield the right-of-way. - when you are passing a driver who starts to turn into your lane. - when a driver is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you. - when coming to a place where you cannot see -what is ahead: a steep hill, a sharp curve or exiting a narrow alley.

If there is danger, do not be afraid to sound a SHARP BLAST on your horn. Do this:

- when another vehicle is in danger of hitting you. - when you have lost control of your vehicle and are moving towards someone.

Use emergency signals:

If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, make sure other drivers can see it. All too often, crashes occur because a driver did not see a stalled vehicle until it was too late to stop. Try to warn other road users that your vehicle is there. Place emergency flares or triangles behind it. This allows other drivers to change lanes if necessary.

Use your horn:

People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn can get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent a crash. If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need.

Signal when you change direction:

Signaling gives other drivers time to react to your moves. You should use your turn signals before you change lanes, turn right or left, merge into traffic or park. Get into the habit of signaling every time you change direction. This includes signaling before beginning to pass another vehicle, and before completing the pass. Signal even when you do not see anyone else around. It is easy to miss someone who needs to know what you are doing. Signal 100 feet before your intended turn. Be careful that you do not signal too early, though. If there are streets, driveways or entrances between you and where you want to turn, wait until you have passed them to signal. If another vehicle is about to enter the street between you and where you plan to turn, wait until you have passed it to signal your turn. If you signal earlier, the other driver may think you plan to turn where they are and they could pull into your path. After you have made a turn or lane change, make sure your turn signal is off. If you don't, others might think you plan to turn again.

What should you do if your car breaks down on a country road at night?

a. Sit in your car. b. Stand near your car. (c.) Stay out of sight where you can see the road but no one can see you. d. Any of these.

If you feel nervous and rushed, it is BEST to:

a. have a passenger to talk to. b. drive in the right-hand lane. c. avoid driving unless you can pay careful attention to the road. (d.) all of these.

Using headlights in the rain or when visibility is reduced:

a. is not necessary. b. helps the driver see through the rain. c. helps light the roadway for other drivers. (d.) helps make your vehicle more easily seen by other drivers.

To avoid offending and enraging other drivers with respect to lane use, you should:

a. never cruise at the speed of traffic in the passing lane. b. never stop in a traffic lane to converse with a pedestrian or another motorist. c. if you found yourself in a turning lane by mistake, make the turn anyway. (d.) all of these.

You cannot control the driving environment nor the reactions of other motorists. The point where you must begin to protect yourself against road rage is:

a. to always give other drivers the benefit of the doubt (be courteous). b. to avoid offending other motorists (correct any bad driving habits). (c.) to remain master of yourself and your actions (self-control). d. to communicate and to cooperate with other road users.

Use headlights:

Besides helping you see at night, headlights help other people see you at any time. Remember to turn on your headlights whenever you have trouble seeing others. If you have trouble seeing them, they will have trouble seeing you. On rainy, snowy or foggy days, it is sometimes hard for other drivers to see your vehicle. In these conditions, headlights make your vehicle easier to see. A good rule to follow is; if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. Turn on your headlights when it begins to get dark. Even if you turn them on a little early, it will help other drivers see you. Whenever it's necessary to drive with your lights on, use your headlights. Parking lights are for parked vehicles only. When driving away from a rising or setting sun, turn on your headlights. Drivers coming toward you may have trouble seeing your vehicle because of the glare. Your headlights will help them see you.

Letting others know you are there

Some drivers do not always pay attention to what is going on around them. It is important for other road users to know you are there.

Daytime running lights:

Some newer vehicles have headlights that are on anytime the vehicle is running. They are called daytime running lights. These lights make it easier for others to see the vehicle, even in daylight. It helps to reduce the chance of a crash. However, daytime running lights are not meant to replace the use of headlights for night driving or when it is foggy, raining or snowing. If your vehicle does not have daytime running lights, you can get the same effect by manually turning your headlights on. Just remember to turn them off when you turn the engine off.

Which of the following has not been the cause of Road Rage incidents?

a. Honking the horn as soon as the light changes to green and the driver ahead does not move. (b.) Failure to slow down when returning to your lane as you complete a passing maneuver. c. Failure to signal your intentions or forgetting to turn off the turn signal after a lane change. d. Tailgating or approaching too close to the vehicle ahead prior to a passing maneuver.

stop or slow down hand signal

hand pointing down

Hand signals:

Sometimes, in addition to using your turn signals, hand and arm signals may be used. An example would be when bright sunlight can make it hard for other drivers to see your flashing turn signals, or when driving an antique vehicle (one manufactured before July 1, 1958) that may not be equipped with turn signals.

Signal when you slow down:

Your brake lights let people know that you are slowing down. Always slow down as early as it is safe to do so. If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where another driver may not expect it, quickly tap your brake pedal 3 or 4 times to let those behind you know you are about to slow down.