Safe Driving Rules and RegulationsChapter 4Mr. Ovalle

Exceeding the speed limit is the MOST common cause of fatal and other types of accidents.

Speed affects almost everything that can happen while you are driving.◦ALWAYS OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT.

25 mph◦ Business, residential & school zones◦ Shall be posted

35 mph◦ Suburban, business & residential◦ Shall be posted

50 mph◦ Non-posted rural roadways

55 MPH◦ Certain state highways (as posted) and interstates

65 MPH◦ Certain Interstates

Drivers pay double fines for exceeding a 65 mph speed limit by 10 mph or more.

Double fines also apply to most other moving violations committed in a 65 mph zone.

Some accidents occur from driving too slowly and backing up traffic.

New Jersey prohibits blocking traffic through slow driving.

Rules for passing depend on road type. Lane marking:

Pass on the left! Passing on the right when…

◦ On roads where more than one lane is going in the same direction

◦ Driver ahead is making a left turn NJ Law prohibits passing on the right

shoulder of the roadway.

On a hill or a curve At a street crossing or intersection At a railroad crossing On narrow bridges, or in an underpass and

tunnels When a sign prohibits passing or center

lines restrict passing When behind a vehicle that has stopped to

let a pedestrian cross

NJ Law requires drivers to keep to the right, except when passing.

Yielding the Right-of-WayYielding the Right-of-Way ALWAYS yield to police cars, fire

engines and ambulances when they are giving warning signs, such as flashing sirens and lights.

NEED TO KNOW!

State law requires ALL motorists to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

You cannot pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian.

What is the fine for not stopping for pedestrians in a crosswalk? ◦ $500.00, up to 25 days in jail, community

service, a driving suspension (up tp 6 months) and 2 points

Where two or more roads cross or merge at angles. (4 types)◦ Controlled◦ Uncontrolled◦ Blind ◦ Traffic Circle

An intersection where traffic is regulated by a traffic signal or regulatory sign.

A single, solid white line across a road at an intersection means motorists must stop behind the line for a traffic light.

Always yield to the driver on the right if arriving at the same time.

Always yield to any driver already in an intersection.

Two or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device.

Most of the time there will be a sign saying that there is an uncontrolled intersection ahead.

Are when building, parked cars or bushes obstruct a motorists’ line of sight.

There are no set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times.

What is the difference between a controlled and uncontrolled intersection? How can you tell the difference? In a traffic circle what prevails at all times and how can you make sure of that? Explain your answer in 2-3 sentences.

Motorists must yield to traffic already on the roadway before moving from an acceleration lane into the proper lane.◦ Speed up to the flow of traffic ◦ Try to avoid coming to a complete stop◦ Yield to traffic and enter the right-hand lane

when safe

Exit ramps or deceleration lanes◦ Start slowing down when entering a

deceleration lane◦ Obey the posted advisory speed limit◦ When exit is on the left, watch for signs ◦ If you miss an exit, go on to the next exit

It is important to adjust steering & speed when approaching a curve, cars tend to keep going straight.

SLOW down BEFORE entering the curve. Do not drift into another lane. Watch for cars that may drift into your

lane.

To get on or off or off such roadways, a cloverleaf turn is often necessary. Watch for entrance and exit signs. Drive slowly in the circle, obeying posted speed limits.

Unless a “No Turn on Red” sign is posted, motorists may make a right on red AFTER coming to a full stop and checking traffic.

Always use a blinker at least 100 feet before making any turn.

Cancel the signal after the turn.

Drive to the intersection as closely to the right as possible, keeping near to the curb or parked cars

Do not swing outward Do not swing into the wrong lane

To make a left turn from a two-way road into another two-way road, approach the turn as closely to the center of the road as possible.

A motorist must stop:◦ At an intersection with a stop sign◦ At an intersection with a red light◦ When a traffic officer orders◦ When there is a yield sign and traffic does not

permit a safe merge◦ When a school bus is picking up or letting off

children◦ When coming from an alley, private driveway◦ At a bridge span which is about to open◦ For a blind pedestrian using a cane or a guide dog◦ For a pedestrian in a crosswalk◦ Single white lines show where to stop

Only continue through an intersection where the light is changing from green to yellow if already in the intersection.

DO NOW 9-12

When can you make a right turn at a red light? Navigating curves can be dangerous what is the most important thing that you need to do before you enter the curve and while you are in the curve (2 things)?

Motorists must stop at least 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights.

Some vehicles must always stop at railroad crossings: school buses or tractor-trailers.

State law requires that motorists stop at least 25 feet away if traveling on a two-lane road, or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by line, or on a privately maintained road.

Slow down to 10 mph if traveling on a dual highway, if on the opposite side of a safety island or a raised median.

When approaching an ice cream truck, yield the right of way to any person who is in the roadway

Drive past the vehicle at a speed no faster than 15 mph

It is not necessary to stop on a dual highway when traveling on the other side

ALL motorists must yield to emergency vehicles sounding sirens or flashing lights.

Afterward, keep at least 300 feet behind an emergency vehicles responding to an emergency call.

DO NOT park within 200 feet of a fire department vehicle in service.

ALL motorists must turn on vehicle’s head-lights whenever windshield wipers are in use.

Headlights must also be used between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise, during rain, snow and ice storms, and when fog or smoke is present.

Headlights must be turned on whenever visibility is less than 500 feet.

Headlights also must be used between on-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise, during rain, snow and ice storms, and when fg or smoke is present.

Headlight have two sets of beams. Motorists may switch between bright (high) and dim (low) beams by using a switch or button located on or near the dashboard.◦ Bright Beams – use for open country driving

where there is no traffic in sight◦ Dim Beams – used for city driving and driving in

traffic or on roadways

Parking Lights Tail lights Overhead Lights Spotlights Fog lights Dashboard lights Brake lights

Do not park:◦ On a crosswalk◦ Near properly marked street construction◦ In a handicapped space◦ On an interstate highway◦ In a bus stop zone◦ In front of a private driveway◦ Within an intersection

Do Not Park:◦ Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant◦ Within 25 feet of a crosswalk◦ Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing◦ Within 50 feet of a stop sign◦ Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire

station◦ 75 feet on the street opposite a fire station

entrance◦ On any bridge, elevated roadway or tunnel◦ In any area where parking is prohibited

Throwing trash from a moving or parked vehicle is illegal.

Fines of up to $1,000 If the vehicle is moving when litter is

thrown, the driver’s license could be suspended.

Motorists may not use a hand-held cellular telephone while driving. ($100-$250 fine)◦ Exceptions to the rule:

Fire, Traffic accident, serious road hazard, medical emergency, and hazardous material emergency

Motorists may use a hands-free device.◦ GDL motorists may not use handheld or hands-

free devices according to GDL restrictions.