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Pre-Drive In-Car Instruction: Lesson 4
| IDENTIFY SPACE MANAGEMENT ZONES | APPROACHING INTERSECTIONS | APPROACHING CURVES |
| APPROACHING HILLS | PERFORM LANE CHANGES IN TRAFFIC FLOW | PERFORM LANE CHANGES WHILE MERGING WITH TRAFFIC FLOW |
| PERFORM LANGE CHANGES WHILE EXITING TRAFFIC FLOW | PERFORM SPEED & POSITION CHANGES IN TRAFFIC FLOW OF UP TO 55 MPH | PERFORM SPEED & POSITION CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO RAILROAD CROSSINGS |
Vehicle Operating Space
Drivers must be aware of the area surrounding their car. By dividing the space into different zones, drivers can easily search the areas. You must be able to identify each of the six zones listed below. You must also be able to identify open, closed, and changing zones while driving.
Each of the following six zones is the width of a lane and extends as far as the driver can see
:•
Front - The area directly in front of the car.•
Left front - The area to the left front side of the car.•
Right front - The area to the right front side of the car.•
Rear - The area directly behind the car.•
Left rear - The area to the left rear of the car.•
Right rear - The area to the right rear of the car.These zones may be open, closed or changing:
•
Open: The zone has no restrictions to the line of sight or path of travel.•
Closed: The path of travel cannot be completed due to some condition (red light, construction, etc), or there is a restriction to the driver’s line of sight. Drivers need to find an alternative path of travel.•
Changing: This is usually an open zone that is changing into a closed zone. An example of this would be a yellow light at an intersection.
Intersections
The following steps should be used when approaching an intersection. Discuss these items with your student as they are driving.
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Step 1 - Searcho
Identify the intersection.o
Identify controls (i.e. stop signs, traffic lights).o
Check area to rear of your vehicle.o
Search for any problems within the intersection.o
Adjust speed and lane position as necessary.•
Step 2 - Evaluateo
Scan open side areas.o
Scan closed side areas.o
Look for closed or changing frontal areas.•
Step 3 - Executeo
Adjust speed.o
Maintain lane position.o
Stop behind crosswalk or stop line.o
Or proceed through open space area.Look for the following things at each intersection you encounter:
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Did you use proper vision skills?•
Did you use proper steering skills?•
Did you stop at the appropriate spot?•
Did you obey all traffic laws regarding intersections?Approaching Intersections Video
Approaching Curves
You must practice driving through curves. Watch for the following things when evaluating your own driving:
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Did you approach the curve in lane position three? This allows for the most space between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.•
Did you slow down appropriately upon entering the curve? Your foot should squeeze the brake on entry and trail off through the central part of the curve until the apex or exit point is determined.•
Did you accelerate once you reached the apex of the curve? Light acceleration should be used to pull the vehicle through the curve. Braking is completely unnecessary at this stage, unless an obstacle appears ahead in their path of travel.Approaching Hills
The tips below offer some things for you to look for as you evaluate your driving.
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When approaching hills with oncoming traffic and limited sight lines, you should position yourself in lane position three. This allows for the most space between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.•
Make sure you check traffic to the rear and reduces speed prior to reaching the apex of the hill. This gives you time to respond to objects that may be blocking your path of travel farther down the hill.•
You think of hills as vertical curves that involve all the same entry, apex, and exit rules.•
When driving down steep grades, make sure you control the vehicle’s speed and checks traffic to the rear about every five seconds.When approaching a hill, make sure you check your rearview mirror often. You may want to slow down because you do not know what is on the other side. By checking your mirror, you can see how much you can slow down or brake (this is a defensive driving technique).
Also when driving up a hill you will want to stay on the right side of your lane. You do not know what is on the other side and this will be the safest lane position for you to drive in defensively (this can be called playing defense).
When driving down a steep hill, you should check your rearview mirror every five seconds to see if anyone is approaching you at an alarming rate. This is a defensive driving technique.
Downhill is Dangerous Too Video
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--------- MCMDE Assignment Eight Begins-----------
Lane Changing Procedure
Lane Changing Procedure Video (fast forward to 1 minute into the video)
Lane Change to the Right Video
When preparing for and executing a lane change, you should follow the steps below:
1. Determine if a lane change is necessary.
2. Visibility - make sure that it’s safe to change lanes.
3. Activate your signal.
4. Recheck the rear side zone by using the side mirror.
5. Determine the gap (parents should assist students for the first few gap selections).
6. Smoothly move into the new lane.
7. Turn off your signal.
8. Adjust your speed to match the speed of traffic in your new lane.
9. Check your rear zones to ensure that the conditions are acceptable.
Merging into Traffic Video One
Merging into Traffic Video Two
Merging out of Traffic Video (Don't Do It This Way!)
Changing Lanes at Highway & Freeway Speeds Video
Lane Positions and Speed
Lane position adjustments and speed adjustments in three different situations: traffic flow of up to 55 mph, approaching railroad crossings, and approaching bridges or tunnels: When evaluating your driving, you should watch for proper usage of lane positions and for appropriate speeds for each situation. Below is a review of lane positions.
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Lane Position 1 (LP1). Your car is in the center of the lane and is three feet away from the left and right lines. This position will be used for the majority of driving situations.•
Lane Position 2 (LP2). Your car is in the left side of your lane, approximately zero to six inches away from the left line. Use LP2 when there is something blocking your path of travel in the right side of your lane.•
Lane Position 3 (LP3). Your car is in the right side of your lane, approximately zero to six inches from the edge or edge line on the right. Use LP3 when there is an object blocking your path of travel in the left side of your lane.•
Lane Position 4 (LP4). Your car is straddling the left lane line. You will be in LP4 when changing lanes to the left.•
Lane Position 5 (LP5). Your car is straddling the right lane line. You will use LP5 when changing lanes to the right.Watch Where You are Driving Video
Railroad Crossings
FACTS AND STATISTICS
More people die in
highway-rail crashes each year than in commercial airline crashes in any average
year.
When a train crushes a car, it
is equivalent to the force with which a car crushes a pop can.
A typical train weighs the
same as 4,000 automobiles combined.
About two-thirds of all
collisions at crossings in the United States happen in daylight.
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|
 150-car freight train
at30 mph = 3,500 feet or 2/3 of a mile 50 mph = 8,000 feet or 1 1/2 miles |
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| 8-car
passenger train at 60 mph = 3,500 feet or 2/3 of a mile 79 mph = 6,000 feet or 1 1/8 mile |
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COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING TRAINS Q: Do trains run on a schedule? A: No. Expect a train on any track at any time. Q: What should I do if my vehicle stalls on a grade crossing? A: Get everyone out of your vehicle and quickly move away from the tracks to avoid being hit by flying debris. Q: Why do trains have the right of way? A: Very simply, trains cannot stop quickly! The average freight train, traveling at 55 mph, takes anywhere from a mile to a mile and a half to come to a complete stop. In comparison, at the same speed the average automobile can stop in 200 feet. Q: What should I do if I am at a crossing with multiple tracks? A: When the last car of a train passes the crossings, do not start up until you are sure no train is coming on another track, especially from the other direction. Q: What should I do if my vehicle gets trapped on a grade crossing (i.e. waiting at a stop sign with a car in front of and behind you)? A: Do not allow this to happen! Never drive onto a grade crossing until you are sure you can clear the tracks. Q: When is it safe to go around lowered gates at a crossing? A: It is NEVER safe! A lowering or lowered gate means that a train is approaching. Always wait until the gate raises and it is safe to cross. TYPES OF WARNING DEVICES These are located in advance of railroad grade crossings. When you see an advance warning sign you should slow down, look, listen and be prepared to stop at the highway-rail grade crossing ahead. These markings, constisting of a stop line, an X and the letters RR, warn you to be aware of an upcoming highway-rail grade crossing. These are found at all public highway-rail grade crossings. The crossbuck means that you must yield to train traffic. If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks. Be prepared to stop at the tracks if a train is coming. Flashing lights and bells are used with crossbuck signs at many highway-rail grade crossings. Always stop when the lights begin to flash because this means that a train is coming. After the lights stop flashing, make sure all tracks are clear in both directions before crossing. Gates are used with flashing light signals at certain highway-rail grade crossings. Stop when the lights begin to flash BEFORE the gates lower across your road lane. Remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing. Another train could be approaching on a second track. It is illegal to drive around lowering or lowered gates. MISCONCEPTIONS Never race a train to a crossing. If you lose you may not get a second chance. Never try to judge a train's speed and distance. Because of the large size of a train, it appears to be moving much slower than its actual speed. The fact that an approaching train is visible means that it is unsafe to cross. Trains cannot stop quickly! It is a matter of physics. The heavier the object, the longer the stopping distance. In addition, the contact surface between a train's steel wheels and the steel rails is only the size of a dime. This results in very little friction compared to an automobile with rubber tires on asphalt or concrete. They are not. It is considered illegal and trespassing to be on a railroad bridge. False! The object can fly off the track and cause serious injury to bystanders. Objects on tracks also endanger the train crew and can even cause a wreck. False! Trains do not follow set schedules. Expect a train on any track at any time. |
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A stop line, an X and the letters RR may be painted on the pavement in front of railroad crossings. These markings warn you to be aware of the crossing ahead and to pay particular attention to the possible approach of a train.
Never drive around lowered gates.
It’s illegal and can be deadly. If the gates are down, stop and stay in place.
Do not cross the tracks until the gates are raised and the lights have stopped
flashing.
Never race a train to the crossing.
Even if you tie, you lose.
Don’t stop once you start.
Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you’re sure you can
completely clear the crossing. If you start over a crossing and the flashing
lights or gates start down, don’t freeze; keep going. The warning signals, when
first activated, allow enough time to drive over the crossing before the train
arrives.
Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
Even if the engineer sees you, a train moving at 55 mph can take a mile or more
to stop. That’s the length of 18 football fields!
Get out of your vehicle if it stalls.
If your vehicle stalls on a track while a train is coming, get out immediately
and move quickly away from the tracks in the opposite direction the train is
traveling. If you run in the same direction as the train, you could be injured
by flying debris. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
Do not be fooled.
The train you see is closer and moving faster than you think. If you see a train
approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
Do not get trapped on the tracks.
Gates won’t trap you, but a halt in highway traffic flow might. Be sure the
traffic ahead of you will not stop and box you in on a track. Also, be aware
when pulling up to crossing gates you stop far enough back so if a vehicle
behind you fails to stop, your car will not be thrown forward into the train.
Be extra alert at night or in bad weather.
Never overdrive your headlights; you may suddenly see a train when you’re going
too fast and are too close to stop. About one of every four crossing crashes
involves a car driving into a train. Watch for the advance warning sign, slow
down and be prepared to stop.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
Although you may be familiar with your local crossings, never take train times
for granted.
Observe the lifesaving signs and signals.
If motorists obeyed all existing traffic laws, there would be virtually no grade
crossing collisions. Make sure you understand and follow the railroad safety
signs and signals that keep us all safe – they’re there for a reason.
Cut out distractions.
Turn your cell phone, MP3 players and radio off when you’re near train tracks.
Forget texting as it could be a deadly distraction near railroad tracks.
Expect a train on any track at any time.
Most trains do not travel on a regular schedule, so anytime is train time. Also,
be patient while waiting for a train to pass; darting out just as the train
passes may put you in the path of another train on a second track. Wait until
the lights stop flashing and the train has completely cleared.
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