Chapters 9 & 10 Urban & Rural Driving

Chapters 9 & 10Urban & Rural DrivingDrivers EdMr. Hill

Complex Traffic SituationsUrban Traffic has more hazards than rural or suburban roadways.You will have to deal with Hazards more frequently in urban areas.Traveling at reduced speeds can give you the time you need to identify & react more effectively to the challenges of urban driving.

Hazardous CitiesMile for mile cities are the most dangerous & challenging places to drive, why?What specific elements make city driving so demanding?

Using IPDE in CitiesEliminate any distractions in the carIdentify aggressively & look far aheadPredict possible points of conflict earlierDecide: Be ready to change speeds/positionExecute: Be prepared to use the car controls in an instant.Following & Meeting TrafficAlways maintain a space cushion using the Smith system.You can see farther down the roadOthers will see you more clearlyYoull have more time to use IPDEYou are better able to avoid sudden collisionsMaintain at least 2-3 seconds of following room in good weather.How do you check that its 2 seconds?Areas for sudden stopsUnmarked IntersectionsIntersections with signal lightsLanes next to parked carsParking lot entrances & exitsAdverse weather conditionsNeighborhoods

Managing a tailgaterIncrease your following distance to 3 secondsMove to the right to let the tailgater see betterSignal early for turns, stops, or lane changesFlash your brake lights before you slow downIn really bad circumstances change lanes or pull over safely & wait for the tailgater to pass you.

Oncoming TrafficWhy could a vehicle come into your travel path?To avoid a head-on collision:Slow down to give the other car time & room to moveFlash headlights & blow hornMove all the way to the right to give the oncoming vehicle as much room as possible.Swerve sharply to open space on the right if necessary.

Traffic DrivingLook ahead & stay back (pg. 166)Better view of the road & more time to reactApproaching stop signsIdentify them early & use the IPDE processCovering the Brake (168)Adjusting SpeedDrive with the traffic flowStay within speed limitsAdjust your speed early to allow for other drivers who will block your way

Traffic ContinuedAlways select the best lane for youUse lane position to your advantageChange lanes only when necessaryWhat is the proper procedure?Overtaking & PassingOnly do so when necessary & follow the proper steps (pg. 171)Special Traffic (HOV) lanesStay out of them unless you are legitimately supposed to be thereUrban SituationsTwo Way StreetsOne-way Streets (pg. 173)Wrong-way driversEmergency vehicle blasting through tight spotsUnexpected situationsMultiple simultaneous challenges to you as a driverPLUS there is a much higher rate of pedestrians on city streets/sidewalksSituations (pg. 175)Rural DrivingWide open spacesTwisty-turny roadsHigher speedsUnpredictable road surfaceVery dark night driving

Road conditionsConcreteBrickAsphaltMacadamGravelDirtShouldersRoad MaintenanceLighting, weather & abrupt surface changes

Rural DrivingSpeedNever drive faster than road conditions will permitTraffic ControlsIdentify signage early & use it to your advantageFollow the suggested speeds on turns they are there for a reason!!!Watch out for hazardsSmall or soft shouldersObstructions close to the roadBusinesses along the roadwayFarm equipment & animals

Basic skills in Rural AreasDont use excessive speedAlways apply the IPDE process & Smith SystemUse an orderly visual search patternLook ahead & to the sidesLook for outsCheck road surfaceGlance in the rearviewSpeedometer & gaugesRoadway aheadRepeat process

Driving on 2-lane roadsWhat are some examples?CurvesHillsIntersectionsSpeed ZonesUse longer following distances to allow yourself a little margin for errors in judgment

Multilane RoadsMulti-lanes with center linesDivided RoadwaysLarge intersectionsEntering Multi-lane RoadsTurn to pg 187

Passing on Rural RoadsYou will pass & be passed always use caution & reason before passing someone.Turn to page 188-189Preparing to passPassing processExecuting a pass on a 2-lane road

No passing situationsLimited Space aheadSpace is narrowCross-traffic hazardGoing uphillIntersectionsRR crossingsBridges & underpassesCurvesOther situationsRural SituationsSlow Moving vehiclesAnimalsOncoming trafficNight drivingRR crossingsObjectsClose to the roadway

Special EnvironmentsDriving up a mountainDriving down a mountainDesert DrivingDriving in flood areasSnow drivingTurn to pages 196-198

Questions