Driving In Urban Traffic

Adjusting to Urban Traffic

What are 2 factors that can make city driving Difficult?

Dense traffic & hazards are closer together

Mile for mile, city roads have the highest number and variety of hazards

deal with hazards more frequently

It takes time to see, react and adjust (IPDE) to hazards

IPDE Process

I – be more aggressive (look everywhere) P – predict possible pts of conflict D – be ready to reduce speed and change

position E – be prepared to use car’s controls in an

instant

How can you adjust to complex situations?

Focus on driving not on ?

Cell phones, music, others in the car Slow down and give yourself more time

and space.

What is a space cushion?

Driver Distractions

How old do you have to be to use a cell phone when driving?

19

Let the cell phone take a message or pull over

What should your following distance be? ____ seconds

How do you check your following distance? (I’ll give you 10 seconds Ask your driving partner)

Slow Down

When do you increase your following distance? Following a motorcycle or truck Carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer Traction is poor You have a tailgater You are learning to drive

Why do you increase your following distance when the tailgater is behind you?

Managing tailgaters

If you slow or stop, do it slowly & give the tailgater more time to respond

Move to the right to give the tailgater a view to see around you.

Signal early for turns, stops, & lane changes. Flash brake lights; increase following distance 4

or more seconds

Managing Space Look ahead while staying back Approaching Traffic Signals What is a Fresh Green Light? Stale green light? Never speed up to get thru a green light

before it changes. Cover the brake

Managing Space

Riding brake – resting foot on brake Adjust speed Select best lane –

Right – slow moving Left – faster, turns Center – fast, straight moving traffic

Managing Space

Lane changes – Check traffic in both lanes and mirrorsSignalCheck blind spotsChange lane w/out slowing downCancel signal

Responding to Oncoming Traffic

May cross your path because Driver impaired Poor judgment Poor visibility Reduced space Sudden moves Vehicle failure Turning buses and trucks Double parked cars

How to avoid conflicts

Slow down Flash lights Turn on lights Move to right Honk horn

What does a flashing Don’t Walk Sign mean to a driver?

Driving past parked cars.

How far away from parked cars??

About a door width away. (6 feet)

You are going the wrong way on a one way street!!

How do you Identifying One-Way Streets?

One way signs (Arrow, Do Not Enter, Wrong Way)

Traffic moving and parked are facing the same direction

Broken white lines instead of yellow Signs facing the same direction Stop line – curb to curb

One way streets

Carefully look at the worksheet and draw lines & arrows for each turn.