georgia license driver's manual

7/29/2019 Georgia License Driver's Manual

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DRIVERS MANUAL:GEORGIA:


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TRAFFIC LAWS:

Traffic laws are used to develop orderly movement of any moving object on the streets, highways and form of transportation route. Failure to obey can result in serious crashes, sometimes fatal.

There are three main traffic laws, obeying:. Lights and signs,. Traffic directions by any form of emergency unit even if its against normal traffic laws.. Traffic directions of not routing through construction/special event routes.

RIGHT OF WAY:

Right of way: drivers priority of route choice depending on situation.RIGHT OF WAY COMMONS:

Passing through stop sign intersection, must stop (right of way for other way that doesnt have stop si At sign-free intersection, driver on left yield to that on right. men yemeenak teyield, men shemalak kh At stop-sign filled intersection, drivers yield to walkers. Otherwise first come first pass. If you reach intersection same time, vehicle on right has right of way. When taking left turn on intersection, alley or driveway, right of way (ROW) to traffic from opposite

direction (men 2oddamak we men shemalak).

At yield sign, slow down and stop if necessary. Proceed when safe. When road youre travelling on merges with other roads, adjust speed and position to blend in as smo

Also, if other vehicles are merging into your road, slow down and keep safe distance (change lanes) toallow them to merge safely.

At traffic light intersections, do not cross unless it is safe to do so (bos yemeen we shemal). When entering/cross a highway from alley, yield to walkers & vehicles on road before entering/crossi Emergency vehicles using ER lights/sirens, move the car out of the way safely for traffic and ER vehicl Yield to all construction/maintenance areas/vehicles. You can right turn on red unless a sign prevents so at a traffic light. TAKE SAFE TURNS. You can left turn on red from left lane from one-way street onto a one-way street moving the same

direction as you will (to the left), unless a sign prevents so. Make sure to make complete stop and yieldall traffic before proceeding safely.

School bus preparing to stop will activate stop sign and yellow lights. Slow down and be prepared to stPay attention to children around that can cross. Once the yellow lights turn red and the stop sign isextended from bus side, its against the law to pass the bus, since its loading/unloading people. Highw

with medians (raseef fel nos), drivers on other side of road are not required to stop, but should be awaand prepared to stop.


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GEORGIA MOVE-OVER LAW:

This law commands motorists to move one lane over if possible if ER vehicle is parked on shoulder. In heavy traffic, slow down and be prepared to stop. Violation of this law is a moving violation, which results in an increase in points on drivers record. Violation of the Move-Over law increases record by 3 points and may cause a $500 fine.

PASSING:

To pass on two-lane road, wait for passing zone (striped white lines on you side of road). Makesure to pass safely without heading on coming traffic before passing zone ends, passingintersection and 200 feet before other cars.

Check all mirrors and blind spot, and turn left light before passing, make sure no ones passing you. Afpassing, make sure you put right light and that the car you are overtaking is clear in your rearviewmirror.

PASSING PROHIBITION:

Solid line and yellow line. 100 feet of railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct (khorm el magari), intersection, tunnel. Oncoming traffic under 200 feet away before you passing. On hill/curve where seeing oncoming traffic is hard/impossible. On road shoulder. When school bus stops.

PASSING PERMISSION: Passing vehicle moving in same direction. Something blocking right lane forces you to take left lane. Make sure to yield to traffic. Multi-lane road (marked, and in same direction). When in multi-lane road, dont drive on other side of centerlines unless permitted to do so (passing zo

or traffic lights) or when turning left.

PASSING ON RIGHT: You can pass on the right of a vehicle when its either turning left (with enough space for your car), or

its a multi-lane road.

YOU BEING PASSED:

When being passed by a vehicle, be prepared for any unsafe/stupid reactions of driver. You can reducespeed to help make passing shorter. Its against the law to increase speed when another car is passing

PASSING STOPPED CARS: When a vehicle stops for a walker, any other cars should do the same, and not overpass the stopped ca

When stopping for walkers, make sure to leave enough space for other vehicles to see walker crossing At an intersection, slow down and prepare to stop if other cars in same directions stop despite green

lights (i.e. busesetc), since walkers can be passing the road.

PASSING BICYCLISTS: Bicyclists have the same exact rights as motorists. Bicycles are allowed to drive on centerlines if theres an obstruction or if the road is too narrow for a c

and a bicycle to share. Pass bicyclists with caution (feet on brakes). Do not pass bicycles using the same lane as they do.

Bicyclists may be forced to swerve to avoid collisions.

PASSING MOTORCYCLISTS:


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A motorcyclist occupies a whole lane. Drive in adjacent lane when passing, not on the same lane.

WEAVING:

Against the law to weave (ghorza) to move faster than traffic. Passing is the lawful way of doing so, whits safe. Signals are necessary when passing. Otherwise, unlawful. Mel akher, clearly show passing.

TURN SIGNALS AND MAKING SAFE TURNS: Failure to follow turning rules is a violation and may cause accidents. Turns signals are necessary when turning. Keep signal until you have

completed the turn. Do not do it last-second. Let the signal be clear and time-enough for other people to realize it.

ILLEGAL SIGNAL: signaling for other vehicles to pass (a pass man signal). Stay as close to right/left lane (depends on turning direction), and end turn on

right/left lane of the resultant road (right lane when turning right, left lanewhen turning left).

Keep wheels straight before turn. Yield to all ROW (bicycles, crossers). Stop for crossers to clearly cros For multi-turn lanes, take turn in a way to end up in the corresponding lane of street youre turning to Yield to bicyclists travelling through intersection (right turn). Left turns = yield to all traffic, stop until crossers pass.

WATCHING FOR PEDESTRIANS WHEN TURNING: Walk signal is the green light for walkers. When allowed to turn, stop and make sure that crossers on road which you want to turn on have cross

U-TURNS: No U-turns on curves or near hilltops if you cant see oncoming traffic and when signs prohibit that.

TURNS ON MULTI-LANE HIGHWAYS: On multi-lane two-way highway, dont drive on opposing side except when turning left. If traffic lights/signals are present, make turn only when authorized to do so.

STOPPING, STANDING, PARKING PROHIBITION:

Parking on highways. Park off highway on shoulder if car is disabled/other problems. Make surthere is free passage and 200 feet clear view for traffic in each direction.

On street side of parked vehicle. Sidewalk/crosswalk (where crossers pass). Within intersection. Between a safety zone and adjacent curb. On a bridge/overpass, tunnel, underpass or subway. Railroad tracks. Controlled access highway. Anywhere with a no-parking sign.

STOPPING, STANDING, PARKING MOMENTARY PERMISSION:

In front of a public/private driveway (makan lel 3arabeyya badal el garage). 15 feet of fire hydrant.


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20 feet of: crosswalk at intersection, fire station driveway. 30 feet of any yield sign (stop, traffic light, yieldetc). 50 feet of railroad crossing. Where signs prohibit standing.

PARALLEL PARKING:

Drive past parking space and stop when right next to car in front of space (2 feet away, door-door).

Turn wheels sharply to the right, back slowly.

As front door passes back bumper of adjacent car, straighten wheels quickly, continue diagonally. As front bumper is clear of back bumper of adjacent car, turn wheels left quickly, back slowly. Stop before contacting car behind parking space. Turn wheels sharply right, and drive to the front slowly towards center of space. Adjust accordingly to

make car fit like a glove.

BACKING UP:

Check all sides of vehicle make sure its safe to do so. Turn your head right to check blind point. For buses and trucks, use all mirrors and a reliable person to do so.

SPEED LIMITS:

30mph Urban/Residential District. 35mph Unpaved County Road. 70mph Rural Interstate. 65mph Urban Interstate/Multi-Lane Highway. 55mph All other areas. Abide to these unless otherwise stated. WATCH FOR SPEED LIMIT SIGNS, especially in school districts

small neighborhoodsetc Some signs are temporary (constructionetc).

When driving slowly, keep to the right of a multi-lane road except when passing or making a left turn. Some highways have minimum speed signs. If you cant even reach minimum speed, take an alternate

route.

RAILROAD CROSSING:

Stop within 15-50 feet from nearest rail when: Signal flashes and/or flagman gives signal, stop sign. Crossing gates lowered. Train is approaching to an extent of immediate danger. Train gives warning signal (siren) and is an immediate danger due to speed or nearness or crossing. Never drive through, below or around a lowered crossing gate. Remain stopped until train has completely cleared the crossing.

HIGHWAY WORKZONES: Work zones: zones where maintenance/construction occurs. Work zones are made to not impede highway traffic. Signs, flaggers and roadway markings are used to notify motorists of work zones and lead them safely

through them. Make sure to drive cautiously, patiently and slowly through work zones. Orange means roadwork.

OBEY SIGNS:

Orange signs with black letters usually means work zones. They help direct traffic safely through thezones. You must obey them at all times.

Reduce speeds whenever close to work zones, or obey normal posted speed limit if not otherwiseinformed. However, remain cautious at all times.


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Those who disobey signs will be considered guilty of misdemeanor of high/aggravated nature awill be fined with $100-$2000, or by imprisonment for a year maximum.

Always obey flaggers; they have the same authority as signs. Always yield/reduce speed to flashing work vehicles or revolving amber lights (like police cars). Change lanes away from work areas as much as you can, and keep speeds low. Keep distance as much

possible.

Some roadwork doesnt need closing down lanes or that much attention. These maintenance vehicles will use Amber lights/arrows/signs. These vehicles may work at very low speed, or none.

Slow down and prepare to stop when you meet such roadwork, and follow any directions given.

FOUR THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN PASSING THROUGH A WORK ZONE:. Reduce speed.. Stay as far away from the workers as possible by switching lanes.. Prepare for the unexpected (keep foot on brakes, and firm wheel grip for any sudden maneuvering).. Watch for temporary speed limit signs to avoid fines.

OTHER LAWS:

Controlled-Access Roadways:

- Its forbidden to enter/exit a controlled access roadway (i.e. interstate) unless through authorized rou- Some vehicles are forbidden of using such routes (check for signs).- Backing up is out of the question on such roadways.

Coasting:- While travelling down a hill, one must not coast (drive without pressing the gas) with the vehicle in

neutral transmission. Keep feet on brakes in case of any sudden events.

DUI (Alcohol and Drugs):- Any substance that impairs the ability to drive safely is unlawful during driving.- People 21 years or older should not have more than 0.08gr of alcohol in their blood while drivi- People under 21 years should not exceed 0.02gr of alcohol while driving.- Some drugs make people nonetheless driving under the influence, no matter the amount.- Prescription drugs are not an excuse; if they impair decision-making, dont drive.- Fines charged for DUI can be up to $1000 and can have 12-month sentences as well as forced

suspension of driving.

Reckless Driving:- RD: Driving without any caution of ones own safety or other peoples.- Fines can go up to $1000 and 12-month sentences.- Drivers under 21 years old will be suspended from driving.

Racing: The following is considered racing:- Competing with another driver on a roadway.- A driver tries to prevent a rear driver from passing him by accelerating/ maneuvering to prevent pass- Penalties include fines and imprisonment, and suspension of driving if the driver is less than 21 years

Aggressive Driving:- Aggressive driving is driving intended to cause any kind of harm to another, physical or psychological- Aggressive driving charges include misdemeanor of a high/aggravated stature.- Penalties include imprisonment and fines, and suspension for underage drivers.

Following Emergency Vehicles:

- It is unlawful to follow any ER unit unless in official business.


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- You must stay at least 200 ft & park 500 ft away from ER units that responded to emergencies.Trucks & Vehicles Pulling Trailers:

- When travelling outside a business/residential district, drivers with trailers should keep a consideratedistance from other trailers too so that passing drivers can be able to overtake between two big trailersafely.

- Caravanning is when trailers stick together without that much space between them (unlawful).- Trailers wider than 8ft and 6 inches are not allowed on Georgias highways.

Riding in Trailers:

- Its unlawful to ride on a trailer/house trailer while it moves on a street/roadway.- Any incident (crashes or trailer disconnection) without proper restraint in trailers is very dangerous.

Median Strip:- Its against the law to drive across a divided section/barrier or unpaved area unless with proper

authorization/crossover.

mpaired Hearing/Vision:- Its against the law to drive while wearing anything that affects a persons hearing/vision (i.e.

headphones, funny glasses).

Obstructing Drivers View:- If a vehicle is overloaded to the point that the driver cant see or be able to operate the machine, it can

be driven. Passengers must stay away from the drivers view and ability to drive.

Opening Vehicle Doors:- Opening doors on the side where traffic is not allowed unless its safe to do so (traffic include bicyclist

One Way Streets:- Unless directed by a traffic control device, emergency units or construction personnel, it is strictly

forbidden to drive the wrong way on one-way streets. Only authorized ER units can do so when

necessary.Stopping:- When stopping/slowing down suddenly, you must perform the right hand, arm or brake signals. turn o

the stop signal as well.

Use Headlights Properly:- High beam headlights should only be used in rural areas (where lights are scarce) and where no other

cars are nearby.- Headlights should be used half and hour before sunrise and after sunset (all in between) and/or when

visibility is scarce.- Dim your lights when:

. 500 feet away from approaching vehicles.. Following cars less than or equal to 200 feet away.

. Well-lit roads

. Its raining, snowing or when theres fog/smoke (since high beams reflect, thus impair vision)

. Vision is less than 200 feet.

Night Driving:- Night driving needs more attention due to decreased visibility and increased straight-on-face lights of

other cars. One must be more cautious since surprises are more dangerous at night.- Make sure the headlights work properly and the lenses are clean. Check them every once in a while.- Make sure to drive at such a speed that makes it possible to reach zero speed before the distance

illuminated by your headlights end (dont drive too fast, youll get more surprises that way).- Slow down when approaching traffic/curve.


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- If visibility is very scarce, use the sidelines as a source of keeping yourself safe. The centerline good.- Clean your windshield.- Dont drive when tired. Keep yourself busy with music, occasional stops and fresh air.- Watch for signs, people and stopped cars, since theyre harder to see at night.- Never stop on a roadway for any reason whatsoever.

GEORGIAS LITTER CONTROL LAW:

Its against the law to litter or throw trash in any public/private property (include waters) in Georgia. Litter includes sand, gravel, slag, brickbats, rubbish, waste material, tin cans, refuse, garbage, trash, de

animals and discarded material. Public and private property includes roads and highways, any water bodies (lakes, beaches...etc), pa

playgrounds, buildings, conservation, recreation areas, forests, timberlands, residential and farmproperties

Throwing litter from a vehicle is a violation of this law, and is considered property damage(vandalism). This is considered a misdemeanor and results in $100-$1000 fines, and up two ayears sentence.

PROTECTING THE AIR:

Try to contribute to making the weather cleaner by keeping up with vehicle maintenance, and try tominimize your travels as much as you can.

Removing a vehicles emissions control components is a federal and state violation. Try using carpools or public transportations (BUSES ARE THE SHIT).

IDLING ENGINES:

Minimize idling. Doing so would decrease pollution, engine wear and fuel consumption. Follow the manufacturers instructions to how to warm up your engine efficiently to ensure sufficient

engine performance for safe driving. NOTE: Idling a vehicle for 10 seconds consumes less fuel than restarting the engine.


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TEEN DRIVING LAWS:

There are three licensing phases for teenagers. After reaching a certain age, meeting certainrequirements and demonstrating adequate abilities to drive a vehicle, teenagers move to the next phaThis requires responsibility as to not violate Georgia State laws during such phases.

Anyone under 18 years old must meet one of these requirements:- Certificate of Attendance (DS-1)- High School Diploma/GED (General Education Development)- Special Diploma- Certificate of High School Completion- College/Vocational School transcript dated within the last 30 days (official transcript with seal)- Certificate of adult literacy proving pursuit of GED

JOSHUAS LAW:

To obtain a class D/motorcycle permit license (at 16 yrs), one must have approved driver education. You must be 17 years to get a class M motorcycle license. The first phase of the licensing program is a class C instructional permit (CP).

CLASS CP INSTRUCTIONAL PERMIT:

You can apply for a CP permit when you reach 15 years. Its valid for 2 years. You must:

-

Have satisfactory school attendance and conduct.- Present Identification and residence documents (including SSN information).- Have a parent/legal guardian to sign the application (must be 18 years or older to sign).- Pass a vision test, with minimum vision 20/60 in one eye with/without lenses and a vision field

140 degrees.- Pass a knowledge related to road rules and signs.- Pay a $10 fee prior to testing. No refund is made after failure.

- Once issued the CP permit, you can only operate CP approved vehicles and accompanied by a 21 yearsolder adult (who has a class C license) sitting beside the driver and having the ability to control thevehicle if things get out of control.

CLASS D PROVISIONAL LICENSE:

Once 16 years old, you can apply for a class D license. You must submit your class CP license or fill out a Lost License Affidavit if you cant give it back. You must also submit the same requirements as the class CP requirements (mainly school attendance

conduct). You must also present a Georgia Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) certificate that youve

completed it. Its mainly taught in most schools.

A parent/guardian must also sign this application. This person has the authority to retake your licenseuntil youre 18 years old. He/she must also sign the Driver Training Parental Affidavit.

You must also pass the Driver Education Requirements:


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- 30 hours of classes/online course + 6 hours of road experience with a certified instructor orcompleting the DDS approved Parent-Teen Driving Guide (PTGD).

- 40 hours of other driving experience, including 6 night hours (PTGD satisfies this requirement)- If you take it with an instructor, the Driving Experience Affidavit affirming the road experience

requirement must be done before the road test.- You cannot a class D licence until 17 years old if you dont complete the driver education cours

A class D holder must be clear of any major traffic violation resulting in suspension 12 months beforeapplying for a class C license.

A class D holder cannot drive between 12am and 6pm. Immediate family members can only ride with a class D holder for the first six months. In the second six months period of a class D holders issuance, only one underage (


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SIGNS, SIGNALS & MARKINGS:

All motor vehicle drivers must be familiar with the following signs, signals and markings, and must obthem unless directed otherwise by authorized personnel.

There are 7 main signs that all motorists must know shape-wise as well as written-wise so that they cabe able to recognize them from a distance and react accordingly to avoid any unexpected events.

Note that warning signs are usually in fluorescent yellow and green, and sometimes even red. The following 7 sign shapes provide the following instructions concerning traffic control:

Stop Sign: Complete Yield Sign: Slow down Rail Cross Sign: Passing isStop (Octagon) To reasonable speed according prohibited when a train is

To given conditions. Is coming. Put a few hundred ft.

from tracks.

D

(Diamond): Divided Highway (Pentagon): Placed (Horizontal Rectangle): GuideBecomes a two-lane, two-way 150-700ft in advance. signs . They show locations, directionsHighway. React accordingly. School zone/crossing. andspecial information.


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(Vertical Rectangle): Regulatorysign, telling you what you must/

must not do. Must be obeyed as trafficlaws.

REGULATORY SIGNS:

One Way Road Wrong Way: Approaching a one-way Can only travelHighway/street. In shown direction.

No U-Turn Keep Travelling in No Turn in GivenGiven Direction Direction

Do Not Exceed Reduced Speed Limit Slower Vehicles Take

Ahead. Take Care The Right Lanes


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No Right Turn Merging When Turn Flashes, Speed Limit Engaged

WARNING SIGNS:

Sharp Turn Curved Turn Winding Road

Side Road Enters Highway Ahead Road Crosses Highway Side Road Enters Highway AheadAhead At An Angle


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Road Ends Ahead. Prepare to Only Has One/Two Lanes. Dip Ahead. Slow DownYield/Stop Before Turning Approach With Caution

Bump Ahead. Slow Down Soft Shoulder. Use in Divided Road BeginsEmergencies Only

Divided Road Ends Two-Way Road. Be Cautious Height Not To Be Exceeded


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Merge With Traffic Hill Ahead. Shift To Low Gears Yield Sign Ahead.To Protect Brakes/Control Speed Caution

Traffic Light Ahead. Caution Stop Sign Ahead. Caution Lanes Reduced Ahead. Caution

Slippery When Wet. First Pedestrians Crossing. Animal Crossing. CautionHour of Rain Most Hazardous Slow Down

SERVICE WARNINGS:

Camping Site Hospital Site Roadside Park/Rest Area


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GUIDE SIGNS:

Guide signs are mainly used to indicate where you are, what road youre on, and how to get to somedestinations. Guide signs include: route markers, general destination, distance and location information. Examples include:

nterstate Number 95 Ahead Exit Number 34 Ahead Intersection Of Given Highways Ahead

Official Bike Route. Caution 4 Miles From Track. NumberSouth State Border Indicates Number of Tracks

Slow/Heavy Vehicle (Less Public Parking To The Right Flashing Red Treat As Stop Sign


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Than 25mph

Flashing Yellow Proceed No Travel Allowed In Lane Clear This Lane - FlashingWith Caution

PAVEMENT/STREET MARKINGS:

Stop Line:White line across street about 4 feet before traffic light. Drivers must stop at that line whethe light turns red, and not at the traffic light. Crosswalk Line: Lines made for pedestrian crossing. They can have a ladder-shape. Pedestrians always hthe right of way. Some crosswalks are found in residential areas, and also at traffic lights, next to the stop

line. Railroad Crossing Line: Line in a square shape, with an X on it and two Rs. At such crossings, a yellow linis put on the right side of the centerline to prevent cars passing. The crossing is sometimes equipped withcontrol arms and/or emergency lights to warn drivers of trains. If a train is approaching, drivers must sto No Passing Line: Solid yellow line preventing passing between lanes. Edge Lines: Lines on the right side of the road to guide the drivers at night for the road boundaries, as asafety precaution. Yellow lines on the left side of the road can be used to warm of narrow/raised medians Lane Lines: White dashed lines that mark/separate lanes on a road. With traffic moving in oppositedirections and having many lanes, two yellow centerlines mark the center of the road, to prevent passing such conditions. The centerlines can only be passed if a left turn is to be made to another street. On multi-lane roads, keep to the right except if youre passing other vehicles going in the same direction.

Turn Lanes: Lanes specifically made for vehicles that are to turn left. They have solid yellow lines as outeboundaries, and dashed yellow lines as inner boundaries. Any vehicle about to take a left turn shouldremain/go to that lane. Georgia Law forbids the use of this lane other than left turns. You can enter thislane no more than 300ft from your left turn. For two-way roads, use extreme caution when making a leturn. Bicycle Lanes: Lanes for the use of bicyclists. They are solid white lines mainly located at the far right,between the right traffic line and the edge of the road. If theres a right turn only lane, the bicycle lane willon the left of that lane so that bicyclists can travel straight without much trouble. They can also have painsymbols. Any other vehicles are prohibited from using these lanes other than to cross lanes or take a right Roundabouts: These can be used in intersections rather than stop signs. Its purpose is to handle heaviertraffic areas without the need of a signal/four-way stop. Right-of-way applies in roundabouts. Yield to tra

already on the roundabout. Youll always enter a roundabout from the right, and keep circlingcounterclockwise until you reach the road you want to enter, and then take a right. Traffic Stripping: Dashed Diagonal yellow markings mainly used to warn drivers that the highway/road narrowing down and that theres a crossing/intersection ahead. They are similar to a triangle with solidyellow diagonal lines on the outside of the lines. Keep to the right of these markings.


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SAFETY GUIDELINES:

Traffic laws cannot doesnt handle all driving situation, or prevent all types of accidents. There are somemain rules drivers should abide to, concerning safety. Such rules will help drivers from losing control ontheir vehicle and go into an accident.

ENTERING A CAR: Make it a routine to enter your vehicle in a safe manner. Enter from the sidewalk, or use extreme cautionwhen entering from the roadside. Keep your keys handy. Adjust the seat and mirrors for the most appropriate seating/view. Check that other passengers are seated correctly and dont interfere with your view. Fasten your seatbelt and make sure passengers do the same before starting the car. After starting, check for anything hazardous/approaching traffic. Give a proper signal to warn approachintraffic that youre leaving your parking space.

SAFETY BELTS: Georgia Law forces all front-seat occupants to wear their seat belts. Any person under 18 years old mustwear his/her seat belt. Seat belts are the most effective security feature in a vehicle. They help you:

o Keep control over your vehicle.o Keep your head from hitting the dash, windshield, or body frame.o Spread the crash force across the strongest parts of the body.o Protect you from injury.o Keep you from being ejected from the vehicle.o When used correctly, help reduce the risk of death/serious injury.o

Georgia Law allows officers to pull over vehicles for not wearing their seat belts. Primary safetybelt law.o No new private vehicles can be sold/licensed in Georgia unless they have at least two front seat

equipped with seat belts. Any person violating this law will be guilty of a misdemeanor.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN: Every driver with a child 6 years or younger must properly restrain the child with an appropriate restrainsystem according to the childs height (other than the exception of a taxi or other public transportation).

STEERING: Good driving posture is important for giving a clearer view and more control over the vehicle.


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The best steering wheel grip is the 9 oclock and 3 oclock position.Some cars have it 8 oclock and 4 oclodue to airbags. Check the owners manual to determine the best steering grip position of your vehicle. Always keep both hands on the wheel unless you are safely performing a driving-related task.

FOG: Avoid driving in fog if possible. If you must drive, though:o Drive slowly.o Drive slower when you see turn signals or stopping signals in front of you, since its harder to

determine the distance between vehicles in a fog.o Dim your headlights, since bright headlights produce a glare on fog, and make it more difficult t

see.o Do not drive with the parking/hazard lights on.

HYDROPLANING: Hydroplaning occurs when theres water on the road. At speeds up to 35mph, tires mainly get the waterof the way (like what a windshield wiper does). However, at higher speeds, tires dont get the water out o

the way as much anymore, and basically lose contact from the ground, riding over the water like skis. At55mph, tires can lose all contact from the ground. This provides no friction for braking, accelerating osteering. In the occurrence of hydroplaning, take your foot of the gas, and let the car slow down until the treach the ground again. Always make sure you have adequate tires that channel the water away in anefficient manner. Obviously, slow down when there is water on the road.

SKIDDING: When tires lose grip on the road, the vehicle skids. Power to the wheels and braking abilities are disabledSlick and slippery surfaces allow such behavior to occur. If a brake is applied to hard or a turn is taken versharply/abruptly, skidding might occur. Once you start skidding:

o Ease your foot of the gas.o Turn the steering wheel gently in the skid direction.o After regaining control, brake gently and steer safely.o NOTE: First hour of rain is the most hazardous time for driving, since roads are very

slippery due to water mixing with other chemicals found on the road.

CURVES: Curves can be hazardous areas on a road. Due to the maneuvering involved, a less cautious driver can leavhis/her lane when turning. If the roads are slippery, this can be very dangerous and may cause accidents.Thus, slower speeds are definitely advisable in such cases. Sharper curves have a safe speed limit sign befthem. If not, one must use extreme caution doing so. When going through a curve too fast, just take your fo

of the gas; dont just apply the brakes, since it heightens the risk of skidding. Apply the brakes gently ifneeded.

LEAVING THE ROADWAY:

In the unfortunate event of leaving the roadway due to loss of control, change of road terrain can make ithard to steer a vehicle, and serious injury/death can occur if an accident occurs. Always pay attention to road conditions to prevent leaving the roadway. Drive at/below speed limits in bad driving conditions. Always drive defensively and consider the vehicles around you in your decisions. If the vehicle leaves the roadway:

o Dont panic


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o Take your foot of the gaso Grip the steering wheel very tightly and be prepared to withstand sudden shocks.o Dont apply the brakes suddenly; use them carefully.o Dont try to turn back to the pavement quickly, since that can make you lose control, or flip, or

even go into other traffic lanes.o Wait until your speed is reduced, check the traffic, and pick a spot to safely go back onto the

roadway.

TIRE BLOWOUT: Unlike a slow tire leak that can make the tire flat with time, a blowout occurs when the tire is ripped severand goes flat immediately. Such an occurrence can make you lose control.

o Apply the brakes lightly and safely.o Hold the steering wheel tightly and take your foot off the gas.o Dont move to the road shoulder until the car slowed down greatly.o If the car swerves to the shoulder due to the blowout, dont try to get back on the pavement. Le

the car coast to a stop.

WINTER DRIVING: Winter weather brings up many hazardous situations.Try using snow tires if roads require more traction. Always check the owners manual for your vehicles ti Keep your windows as clear as you can from snow and ice before using the vehicle. Try to get a feel for the road when entering it. Test the brakes gently, and see how the car reacts. Never apply severe braking in such conditions. Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles. Reduce speed depending on conditions. Watch for any hazards on the road.

CARBON MONOXIDE: Cars produce a deadly and odorless gas called carbon monoxide. Symptoms of CO inhalation include:o Sudden wearinesso Yawningo Dizzinesso Nausea To prevent CO inhalation:o Dont leave the car running in your garage.o Dont leave the engine running with the windows closed and the car parked.o Dont use the heater/AC of a parked car with the windows closed.o Dont drive with a problematic exhaust system/muffler.o In the case of inhalation, seek fresh air, or call 911 if matters become serious.

STEERING LOCKS: Steering locks are anti-theft devices manufactured since 1969. Not being able to deal with steering locks can be very dangerous for drivers. If the ignition is put in lock position while the vehicle is moving, steering capability is disabled.FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY: Most rear-collisions occur because cars follow each other at close, unsafe distances. Enough space is needed to allow for the person in front of you to suddenly brake/stop without you hitting

him. One way to determine how far you are from the vehicle in front of you is to see when that vehicle passes acertain point, and the amount of time it takes for you to reach that point after he/she passes it. During hazardous road conditions and weather, that distance should be extended even more.


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SPEED & STOPPING DISTANCE: Stopping distance is the distance it takes to stop from a certain speed. Stopping distance can depend on:o Mental/physical reaction of the driver.o Pavement condition.o Tire threading/type.o Chassis design.o Brake conditions, types and balance.o Wind direction and velocity.

SPEEDING: Speeding is the main factor of serious injury and death in accidents. The greater the speed, the greater the impact force, and the greater the risk of death. Striking something at 20mph, 40mph and 60mph is living driving off one, four and nine story buildings,respectively.

EXPRESSWAY DRIVING:

Expressways are different from normal roads and highways in that they have controlled access. Vehicles enter/exit the expressway at designated locations known as interchanges. Most Georgia expressways are free, but some require a toll charge. With the exception of control access and HOV lanes, expressways are like divided highways. Theres a median line/area separating traffic, marked by a solid line. Slower traffic keeps to the right, and all laws and safety guidelines apply here. When entering expressways:o The entrance ramp is a short one-way road leading to it.o From there, you move to the acceleration lane where you adjust your speed to be able to merge

accordingly with expressway traffic.o Vehicles already on the expressway have the right of way.

When exiting expressways:o Prepare to exit to the right of the road.o Deceleration lanes allow you to decelerate to an appropriate exiting speed.o Do not slow down on the expressway. Guidelines to using lanes on expressways:o Drivers on divided highways are to stay to the right of the median/yellow line unless directed t

do otherwise by authorities.o Drivers must obey yellow or white stripping defining the lanes, lane convergence, and forbidde

lanes.o Drivers are only allowed to enter/exit such roadways at designated locations.

GORES: Gore is the area of convergence between two traffic lanes. Its similar to a triangle, formed by solid white lines between the exiting lane and the merging lane. Theyre mainly seen at convergence of an acceleration lane and a neighboring travel lane. Drivers are forbidden to enter the gores, and are required to keep accelerating until the gore lines disappHOV LANES: HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes are mainly used for vehicles with more than one occupant, buses and

vehicles with alternative fuel license plates. They are marked with diamond shapes. There are hours of restriction also posted on the road for entry into HOV lanes. Violating HOV lane policies will fine up to $75 at the first offence, $100 for the 2nd, and 150 for the


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If violations exceed 3, then a $150 fine is taken and one point is added to the drivers record. For HOV lanes with double solid white lanes, this means vehicles can pass into the lanes. For HOV lanes with dashed white lines, then vehicles can pass into the lanes.TIPS FOR EXPRESSWAY DRIVING: Plan your trip carefully to avoid missing your entry/exit locations. Check your car before you start, since expressways are for faster traffic. Be alert of your surroundings, since its a higher speed road. Stay out of another drivers blind spot, where he cannot spot you on his rear view mirror.

Use turn signals before switching lanes Allow plenty of room for passing, and make sure the vehicle distances are safe enough. Drive around or below the speed limit. During rush hour, drive defensively and carefully, if not slowly. DO NOT BACK UP!!! Its prohibited by any means!! Stopping is prohibited here. There are rest areas signs at frequent intervals. Highway hypnosis and fatigue can be major problems when driving on expressways. Do not drive if you fedrowsy. Dont use drugs to keep you awake, since theyll make your driving more dangerous. Highway hypnosis is a condition of drowsiness or unawareness brought on by monotony/boredom. Its a good idea to exercise your eyes when on long trips. Conversation with other passengers is also anothway of preventing the hypnosis. Always pay attention and try not to daydream and wander off.

Never trust other drivers to do what you think theyre going to do. Expect the worst from everybody.OTHER HIGHWAY EMERGENCIES: Fire:

o Use mud, dirt, dust, snow or water to put down a fire.o Use hub cap to carry water,o Loosen dirt with tire tool to throw on fire. Accelerator jammed:o Slap the pedal with your foot.o Shift to neutral.o Concentrate on steering.o Use brakes.o Turn off ignition (NOT TO LOCK). Brakes fail:o Shift to lower gear.o Use parking brakes.o Rub tires on the curb.o Look for a safe area to stop. Wet brakes:o Test brakes lightly after driving through deep water. They may pull on one side or not at all.o Dry brakes by driving slowly in low gear while applying the brakes lightly.


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SHARING THE ROAD:

PEDESTRIANS: Motorists must stop or remain still to let pedestrians cross a crosswalk.o When the pedestrian is at about half the roadway on which the vehicle is travelling, or if he/she

approaching/within one lane of the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is travelling/turniHalf of the roadway means all traffic lanes carrying traffic in one travel direction.

o When making a left/right turn at an intersection.o

At stop signs when at a complete stop, before moving.o At traffic signals, or even when the light is green if the pedestrian is still on the crosswalk.o When entering a street/highway from an alley, driveway or private road.o When a blind person is crossing a street, if theyre carrying a white cane or guided by a dog.

Crosswalks are found on all four corners of an intersection, even if theyre not marked. Its the part of tpavement where the sidewalk extends on the street.

Pedestrians have the right of way on crosswalks, no matter what. Vehicles must remain stationary if thpedestrian already crossed half the roadway.

Blind pedestrians always have the right of way. Make sure to be on a lookout for pedestrians anywhere youre driving, especially areas where

pedestrians are likely to be.

When turning right at a red traffic light, drivers must stop before proceeding. Dont block the crosswalsince that would make the pedestrians walk around the vehicle, and be at risk from incoming vehiclesThus, after making sure the road is clear, make sure the crosswalk is clear.

Take care when passing stopped vehicles on multi-lane roads, since pedestrians can pop out of nowhefrom behind the vehicle. When stopping, make sure to stop about 10 feet before the crosswalktomake other drivers see the crosswalk and whoever is crossing.

When entering a driveway, alley, parking garageetc drivers must stop behind the sidewalk area anmake sure its safe to cross (check for pedestrians). Drivers turning left on a driveway must not only loout for oncoming traffic, but also for pedestrians crossing all crosswalks youre about to pass.

Pedestrians are vulnerable in a car crash than motorists, and are more likely to be killed or seriouslyinjured. When a collision occurs at 20, 30 and 40mph, the likelihood of pedestrians to be killed i

10%, 45% and 80% imminent, respectively.


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BICYCLES: Bicycles have become an important factor of Georgia roads nowadays. Motorists must always be alert of bicyclists. Accidents with bicycles most often happen because motorists dont see the bicyclists soon enough. These accidents usually occur in daylight, on dry, straight roads, especially near intersections and drivewa Bicyclists are allowed to use all Georgia roads except interstate highways. Motorists must yield to bicyclists, no matter how slow they might be. Try to make eye contact with bicyclists on intersections to make sure you both see each other. A short horsignal wouldnt hurt, as long as it doesnt startle him/her. Because bicyclists have to suffer from more road defects, make sure to leave plenty of room for them toswerve to miss a pothole or other road dangers. At intersections, make sure its clear of bicyclists before turning. When passing bicyclists, its better to drive slowly. Wait until conditions are right for passing. Take care of bicyclists that may swerve in front of you without warning, since some bicyclists tend to forgto gradually move to the left to make a left turn. When meeting bicyclists at night, dim your lights to not blind the bicyclists. Some might not have lights, oreven reflectors. So take care.

MOTORCYCLES: Motorcycle drivers are much more vulnerable to injury than motorists. Over 2/3 of accidents with motorcycles are due to a car turning on a motorcycle. Motorcycles are usually smaller in length and size. This makes them appear farther away or slower than tactually are. Since its difficult to judge on these two matters, a second look is a must, and a third. Its also harder to spot motorcycles in traffic than normal vehicles. Because motorcyclists have the advantage of maneuverability and small size, some motorists may not seethem sometimes. Be on the lookout for any sudden motorcyclists appearing in front of you. In traffic, motorcyclists position themselves to see and be seen. This can be on the left or right side of thelane, depending on the conditions. As traffic moves, the riders position may change. He/she could be at the center, or on the sides of the lane Most drivers take this opportunity to miss potholes and other road hazards. This poses a great danger to motorcyclists due to limited lane space, giving them a greater risk of not misssome road hazards. Always notify motorcyclists that youre about to make a turn or switch lanes with a turn signal or any othkind of signal. Intersections are the hot spots of motorcycle accidents, due to motorists not seeing the motorcycle or cuttthem off. Also, misunderstanding a motorists intentions also leads to trouble. Dont assume a motorists intentions unless an unmistakable maneuver is made. Sometimes, turn signals dont automatically shut off and people tend to forget theyre on, so take care of th MAKE SURE YOU SEE THE MOTORCYCLE AND KNOW ITS SPEED BEFORE TURNING/ENTERING ANINTERSECTION. Try to allow about a 2-second distance between yourself and a motorcyclist. More distance isrecommended to allow for more braking distance if sudden. Passing regulations are similar with motorcycle. Motorists being overtaken must maintain their speed unthe passer is safely across. Allow motorcyclists to complete the pass and assume lane position. Because motorcycles are different from normal vehicles, they require different skills and knowledge,.Different tests for motorcycles are available. Passing a normal test and a motorcycle test allows the perso

be able to legally drive and ride. Motorcycles are registered and insured in the same way as normal vehicl


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SCHOOL BUSES: All motorists must stop behind a stopped school bus with its lights flashing or its stop sign flagged. The only exception is on highways that are separated by median strips at the center. Only vehicles that arfollowing/travelling alongside a school bus in the same direction must stop. A warning light will be given in advance when a school bus is about to stop. Unless the bus starts moving again or turns of the warning lights, you may not proceed.

COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES:Sharing the road with commercial vehicles is very important. Because such vehicles can be very heavy (reach 80,000 pounds or more), one must consider them in theirdecisions as a priority. There are differences in road considerations when dealing with trucks:

o Fully loaded tractor-trailers travelling at 55mph require 3 times the distance a car needs to stoo Larger trucks are harder to maneuver and require much more room to turn.o Large trucks have larger blind spots called NO ZONES. DO NOT TRAVEL IN THEM!!! Driving safely includes not driving in blind spots, especially when passing. The larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spots, so take care. When passing a truck, drivers shouldnt remain in the no-zones any longer than needed to safely pass. The easiest way to avoid the no-zones is to look for truck drivers reflection in his side mirror.If you cant

him in the mirror, youre in a blind spot. The main blind spots of a truck include: directly in front, directly behind, and along each side, especially tright side.

ACCIDENTS:

In the unfortunate event of an accident:o Stop somewhere safe.o Call 911.o Give reasonable help to the injured.o Warn approaching traffic without jeopardizing your own safety as well as that of the injured.o Activate your hazard lights and/or use the reflective triangleso Give your name, address, license plate number and drivers license number to anyone involved

the accident. Get the same from them as well.o If you damaged an unattended vehicle, locate the owner or leaver your name, address and the

name of your vehicles owner in an obvious place where the owner of the damaged car can see. Send for emergency help, no matter what the person says. Note that unskilled handling of an injured person can cause further damage and make the injuries moresevere. Do not try to lift an injured unless absolutely necessary. Try to keep the injured in the same position he wfound at until professional help is on the scene. Stop serious bleeding with a thick cloth, as clean as they can, applied with pressure by hand. Try to keep tinjured warm. If an accident occurs and no serious injury occurs, its the drivers duty to move the damaged vehicles on tside of a multi-lane highway or expressway to keep the traffic flowing. The median, emergency lane, shouand other safety refuges are available. Drivers should only do so if theyre able to do so, and if the vehicles are fit to do the job. Any hazard to thedriver and people nearby should be avoided. If the drivers are unfit to move the vehicles, they can assign a person with a valid drivers license to move vehicle for them.

DEER-AUTOMOBILE COLLISIONS:


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Its important to know what deer usually do and what their habits are when it comes to running in front omoving vehicle. Deer are wild animals and their actions are unpredictable, thus you must take extreme care. Thus, take the following guidelines into consideration:

o In deer hot spots, constantly scan the roads and the shoulders for any animas or suspiciousmovement.

o Always slow down when a deer is at sight to a speed where you can make a safe controlled stopand of course when a deer is crossing in front of you or another vehicle. Deer usually travel ingroups so suspect a few deer if you find one.

o When you see deer, blink your lights or dim them so that you dont blind them. They tend to stastill if blinded. Also, a short horn wont hurt, and will scare them away.

o If a deer or any other animal runs in front of the car, stop as fast as you can (in a safe manner), atry to minimize the collision severity. Never swerve to avoid a deer, since that can make you hitanother vehicle or leave the road.

o Call the police as soon as you can. An insurance company usually needs an accident report fromthe police before paying claims for damaged vehicles.

o Deer are usually found in the morning and evening hours, on the roadsides. Drivers should bealert of these peek hours.

o They are most active in October, November and December (breeding season). Also, late Februaand early March are also critical months for deer collisions.

oDeer usually feed on road shoulders available following winter. They are also found mid-dayduring the summer.

o Thus, its always a good thing to stay on the lookout for deer where there is a deer population.

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