5a – Entering Traffic and Traffic lanes
5a- ENTERING TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC LANES
Entering Traffic from the Curb Side
1. When parked on the side of the roadway, check traffic to the rear, side, and front.
2 Signal intentions, check mirrors, look over your shoulder, and identify a one-half-block gap in traffic.
3. Look as far ahead as possible along the projected path of travel.
4. Accelerate smoothly and steer into the intended path of travel.
5. Cancel turn signal and search one and a half to two blocks ahead along the path of travel.
6. Accelerate to the speed of traffic but not faster than the posted limit nor more than 5 mph slower.
Entering Traffic from a Parking Lot or Intersection
- While stopped with the turn signal on, check traffic to the rear, sides, and front.
- Identify a gap in cross-traffic of at least half a block. If turning right, the approaching traffic on the left should be 6 to 8 seconds away. If turning left, traffic on the left should be 6 to 8 seconds away and traffic on the opposite side approaching on your right should be 7 to 9 seconds away.
- Look as far ahead as possible along the projected path of travel.
- Accelerate smoothly and steer into the intended path of travel.
- Cancel the turn signal and search one and a half to two blocks ahead along the path of travel.
- Accelerate to the speed of traffic but not faster than the posted limit nor more than 5 mph slower than the traffic
Entering a Freeway
Would you stand still or run with the flow?
Freeways are usually our safest roads. Access is limited, traffic moves in the same direction without stops and at about the same speed. There are no intersections, sharp curves, traffic signals, or railroad crossings. Even so, you need good driving knowledge, skills, and attitude to get to your destination safely.
Think of a buffalo stampede…(Cowboys and Indians knew this too well!). Before entering you must adjust your speed to the flow and find an opening without disturbing upcoming traffic. If you want to drive slow stay in the right lane but no more than 5 mph below the traffic speed. If you are too slow you may create an obstruction of traffic that may cause an accident.
Nevada Law:
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic,
except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law.
Why driving too slow is dangerous?
If you are too slow when entering or driving with the traffic, you may create havoc for the traffic behind since everybody is going to use their brakes to avoid a collision. People might get nervous behind you trying to pass while taking risks or even call you names…Think of a zipper, the action is the same, smooth and easy. Go with the flow.
On a freeway drive on the RIGHT lane if you want to drive slow but no more than 5 mph below the speed limit. Usually, 60 mph should be the minimum unless otherwise signaled or obstructions.
If you are still afraid to drive, practice with an experimented adult. Driving must become second nature.
Before you start, plan your route. If you are not sure of the way, study a map before entering the freeway. Know the entrances and exits you will need to take. Take a note of the freeway ID numbers you should follow in sequence, that is especially good advice if you are approaching Los Angeles for the first time. Panels are very explicit. All you have to do is follow the trail and get in the right lane in advance. Also, check your gas gauge way ahead of entering a freeway!
- • Be sure you are using the “on-ramp” when you enter the freeway. Signs will say “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” if you have made a mistake. DO NOT DRIVE AGAINST THE STAMPEDE!!!!
- • Using the merge or acceleration lane, look for an opening in traffic, use your turn signal and accelerate to or near the speed of freeway traffic. Do not stop before merging on a freeway unless necessary; a stop can mean a slow and dangerous start into fast-moving traffic and can affect traffic behind you. Think of a closing zipper.
- • As you enter from a merging lane, you must yield to traffic already on the freeway. If you are already traveling on the freeway, watch for merging traffic and adjust your speed to allow safe and smooth merges. When entering a busy freeway, adjust your speed to the traffic on the freeway and merge slowly. Use your turning light to signal your intention. Drivers will understand and foresee your move and will smoothly provide a space for you.
DO NOT HESITATE OR STOP!
- • Driving speeds are frequently faster on freeways than on other highways, even though they may have the same posted speed limits. This is because there are fewer stop-and-go situations. Stay with the flow of traffic within the speed limit. Stay in your lane unless you need to change it. If you do change lanes, make sure to signal.
- • Freeways have several lanes in each direction. On these roads, you should leave the extreme left lane for faster traffic. Remember, lane hopping is always dangerous, annoys other drivers, increases the risk of accidents, and seldom saves time.
- • Stay alert! Be prepared for rapid changes in road conditions and traffic flow. Search much farther down the road – at least 20 to 30 seconds.
- • Watch traffic all around you. Be aware of other drivers who are changing lanes, passing, or slowing down.
- • Use your mirrors and look quickly over your shoulder before changing lanes. Use your turn signals 300 feet in advance to let other drivers know your plans and watch for their signals.
Zipper Effect
Ramp Meters and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes
This is not a malfunctioning red light. it is made to create a space between cars to enter the freeway one at a time. So stop on the red and go on the green if it is your turn.
If a freeway entrance is equipped with ramp meters and they are switched on, you must:
• Pull up to the stop line and stop on red.
• Be alert. The signal will change more rapidly than a signal at an intersection (every 1 or 2 seconds).
• Wait for the green light.
• When the light turns green, proceed along the ramp and merge onto the freeway safely (zipper action).
Some freeway entrance ramps have more than one travel lane and each lane is controlled by its ramp meter. Motorists are encouraged to use both lanes and abide by the ramp meter signal controlling their lane of travel.
Some metered freeway ramps have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) bypass lanes also known as Carpool lanes. These lanes are marked with a diamond on the pavement and are not metered.
If you are in a carpool of two or more people, you may use the HOV ramp meter bypass lane without stopping.
High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are one or more lanes of a roadway that have restrictions on use to encourage ridesharing and can reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Rules for HOV lanes vary and are usually posted.
Heavy fines of $500 or more may be issued to single drivers using HOV lanes
Typically, HOV lanes are open to motor vehicles carrying two or more people, and sometimes access is open to motorcycles or vehicles that use alternative fuels (hybrid or electric vehicles). Access restrictions on HOV lanes can apply 24-hours a day or only during peak congestion periods. The goal of HOV lanes is to provide an incentive to use ridesharing and public transportation, remove congestion from normal lanes of travel, and improve overall traffic operations. In places with excess capacity on HOV lanes, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes have been implemented. These differ from HOV lanes in that motor vehicles carrying only one person can use these lanes for a fee. Users may be able to use HOT lanes at all times that HOV lanes are in operation or HOT lane use may be restricted during the most congested periods.
Exiting a Freeway
Most freeway exits have a special lane for you to use before you reach the exit ramp. Avoid slowing down on the freeway itself. Wait until you are in the deceleration lane. Then slow down gradually until your speed matches the posted exit ramp speed.
Look ahead for signs telling you about the exit you want and the lane you need to use.
• Check-in front, behind, and to the side for traffic. Signal and move into the proper lane a mile
or more before the exit. Most exits are numbered to help you quickly spot the one you want to
take. These numbers are also usually listed on the major freeway signs.
• If you miss the exit ramp, never turn around or back up. Go to the next exit, get back on the
freeway in the opposite direction, and return to the exit you want.
Park the phone before you drive.
iF YOU MISS THE EXIT GO TO THE NEXT ONE !
HIGHWAY MARKINGS & PASSING ON MULTIPLE LANES
Like signs, highway markings warn, regulate, and inform. Markings are white and yellow, and each type of line has a special meaning.
THIS IS A REPEAT FROM LESSON 4.
VERY IMPORTANT!
On a one-way road, lanes are separated from White Lines. The left roadside may be marked by a single yellow line.
Broken White Line
Broken line your side
Solid Line your side
On a two-way road, opposite lanes are separated with Yellow Lines
Broken Line your side
Solid Line your side
Double Solid Line
DOUBLE YELLOW LINE: never cross in any direction
Why Did The Opossum Cross the Double Yellow lines
They are separating traffic in the opposite direction and they represent a solid barrier. Crossing it may lead to a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.
NOT GOOD !!!…
Do not cross for any reason (even if you are an opossum!).
Note:
single solid lines also designate the boundary and safe zone of a road. In emergencies, you can cross this without concern “legally.” It is simply stating “this is the edge of the road, be careful.”
Scientists are trying to find out why did the Opossum crosses the road?
a) To go to the other side
b) Just to test if it was a solid wall as they said it is.
c) Because he did not take a Driver’s Ed Class or did not read Topics.
d) An opossum is like a kid who do not believe what he is told and want to experiment on its own. ( Well!. question resolved! )
e) Just because we say don’t do it
f) An Opossum is a dummy.
Response: All of the above. Now It is part of the scenery.
The sad thing is It cannot explain his friends that they have to follow the rules, they are here for our safety.
NEVER JUMP TO THE OPPOSITE LANE & DO NOT TRY THIS!
CENTER TURN LANE
Safe Zone
Center lanes for left turns appear on many streets and roads. They are two-way left-turn lanes are designated by distinctive roadway markings consisting of parallel double yellow lines. The interior line is dashed and the exterior line is solid on each side of the lane.
It is a safe zone in the center of a road. You may cross these lines (even with a solid line on your side) only to make a left turn onto or from the highway.
When can we cross the solid line of a Center Lane?
You can only cross the solid line marking a center lane
- if you intend to slow down and stop before turning left and before crossing the opposite traffic lane.
- When entering an intersection into the main road and turning left into traffic. Use the center lane to eventually stop and wait for an opening before merging into traffic.
Incoming cars have the right of way (both right and left)
It is a TWO-WAY lane so opposite vehicles are also using the same lane to turn left
You cannot travel more than 50 feet when merging into traffic and must yield to cars already in the lane and the main traffic.
THIS IS NOT A PASSING ZONE.
Center lanes are not for regular traffic or passing or parking. You are only allowed to stop a few seconds waiting for an opening into traffic.
Merging into Traffic:
When you are starting a merging into traffic, you are like a plane taking off in a short distance (50 feet), and although opposite vehicles must yield as you are already in the lane, you may have someone entering the lane ahead of you anyway (it happen more than it should) so be prepared to stop rather than merging if you do not have enough space to do so. Then if you do not have enough space to “take off” again, then use this as a starting point from a stop sign.
These lanes are not for traveling and they may not be used for passing (thus the solid yellow line).
You may not travel more than 200 feet when entering a center turn lane before making a left-hand turn and you may not travel more than 50 feet in a center lane when merging into traffic after making a left-hand turn onto the highway.
When turning left into a main street center lane from a crossing street, be aware that somebody may come in front of you on the same lane to turn left (they have the right of way), stop before turning, and wait for them to turn. You may be stopped inside a center lane since it is a safe area. but do not park your car there to go shopping!
MINIMUM FOLLOWING DISTANCE ON A HIGHWAY
THE BARE MINIMUM FOLLOWING DISTANCE on a dry road and clear weather are two (2) SECONDS.
It seems short but actually, the fastest you go the greater the distance covered in TWO seconds.
At 70 mph you cover 102,63 feet/second.
In 2 seconds you would be covering 205 feet that are the length of 4.5 greyhound buses.
Increase that distance depending on weather, road condition, traffic, vehicle weight, or your lack of confidence or experience as a new driver.
So What is the Two-Second rule?
The two-second basic minimum distance is a rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a MINIMUM trailing distance at any speed.
(Many instructors prefer to say 3 seconds for beginner drivers.)
Less than 2 seconds is considered tailgating (too close for comfort for both cars).
The rule is that while a car is in motion, a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of his or her vehicle. This distance should increase according to the road conditions or experience of the driver. It is intended for automobiles, although this general principle applies to other types of vehicles.
To determine this, start counting “one thousand one” when the rear of a vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, such as a sign. If you reach the sign before you have counted “one thousand two,” you are following too closely – that is called tailgating.
At a normal speaking rate, this sentence takes approximately two seconds to say. Instead, you could also say: “only a fool breaks the two-second rule.”. That would serve as a reminder to the driver of the importance of the rule itself.
Remaining at least 2 seconds from the vehicle in front will provide a distance of one car length per 5 mph, at whichever speed you drive. The 2-second rule is used regardless of speed because the distance between your vehicle and the one in front will extend the faster you travel.
Using the 2-second rule helps to significantly reduce accidents or reduce collision damage if one occurs.
The two-second following rule
is NOT a guide to safe stopping distance.
Only the strict minimum distance between cars.
As the speed increases, the distance increases too; examples:
at 30 mph 2 seconds represents 88 feet
at 60mph, 2 seconds represents 176 feet
at 80mph, 2 seconds represents 235 feet…
IN ORDER TO STOP A CAR ON A FLAT ROAD
at 80mph you will need:
– 699 feet to stop on a dry road
or
– 1098 feet to stop on a wet road.
Driving on Freeways
Some drivers are too afraid to drive on a freeway. They do not want to use the right lane because of merging traffic.
They do not want to use a central lane as they have traffic on both sides of them so they prefer the left lane as it has none of the two previous ones and they feel safer.
But the left lane is not a lane for slow drivers, it will only be an obstruction to traffic, irate other drivers, and possibly create an accident. It may be a $500 fine.
Train yourself with a competent driver on a freeway
until you feel comfortable
as you must not be driving less than 5 mph below the traffic speed.
GO WITH THE FLOW!
Why Driving Slow in the Left Lane is Bad
Even so, if you are driving at the speed limit, you cannot block the highway traffic. You are not here to make people respect the law. Some people want to drive fast and by blocking them, you only make them upset. They will take risks trying to pass you in any way possible, cut you off, or else, and an accident may occur. It is also essential to let the left lane free for policemen in emergency vehicles.
Lessons 4 and 5 are the most important for your subconscious mind’s learning /training. Knowledge is more important than driving skills, which will be extremely valuable behind the wheel when there is no time for hesitation or guessing.
Sorry about this, this is a DMV request to match the mandatory 30-hour live Driver’s Ed classes. If you have plenty of time left, you can go back to the subjects you did not think were important or watch a video you missed.
If you are sure you read everything, then you may take a break.
End of Topic 5 a: “ENTERING TRAFFIC& TRAFFIC LANES”
Next: Topic 5 b:” SPEEDING AND STOPPING”