Chapter Four

Safe Driving Rules and Regulations

Speed Control:

A. Speeding is a common cause of fatal accidents.

B. Keep up with the flow of traffic at any legal speed.

C. Make glances to your speedometer to stay in touch with your speed.

New Jersey Speed Limits:

A. *25 mph – school zones, business or residential districts

B. 35 mph – certain low density business & residential districts.

C. *50 mph – All other roadwaysD. 55 mph – certain state highways (as

posted) & all interstate highwaysE. 65 mph – certain interstate highways

(as posted)

Facts about Speeding The higher the speed:

The less time the driver has to spot dangerous situations

The greater the time and distance it takes to stop

The greater the chance the car will skid The greater the force of impact will be in

a collision The greater the personal injuries and

property damages are in collisions

When to Slow Down

A. Judge your speed control by the type of, road, weather, and traffic.

B. Times to Slow: wet or slippery, curves, intersections etc.

Driving to slowly

A. Try to keep with normal flow of traffic.

B. NJ law prohibits you from blocking traffic by slow driving.

Keep To Right

A. Drive close to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway except when passing.

Passing:

A. Pass only when safe and you can see far enough ahead for oncoming traffic.

B. Watch for lane markings

You may pass on the right on roads that have more than one lane going in the same direction.

You may pass on the right when the driver ahead is making a left turn and there is room to pass.

Do Not pass on the right shoulder.

Do Not Pass

A. On a hill or curveB. At a street crossing or intersectionC. At a railroad crossingD. When a car in front has stopped to let

a pedestrian cross

Yielding the Right of Way

A. Yield to police cars, fire engines & ambulances.

B. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks Controlled Intersections

C. Traffic lights or signs in any direction.D. Conditions when you must yield at a

controlled intersection:1. at a 4-way stop yield to the driver on the right if both get there at the same time. ( left yields to right)

2. In the intersection yield to the other driver who is already stopped.

3. At a yield sign, slow down and yield to traffic on the road

4. When making a left turn yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

* driving on private property to avoid a traffic signal or sign is a motor vehicle violation.

Uncontrolled Intersections

A. When 2 or more roads join and there are no traffic signs

B. Be ready to stop if any traffic is coming from the left or the right.

Entering highways, parkways and turnpikes

A. Multi-lane roads with traffic flow in one direction.

B. There are no direct intersections. C.To enter acceleration lanes are

used (these are extra lanes to help the driver enter the highway and speed up to the flow of traffic).

Key points to entering highways

-watch for and obey the advisory speed limit @ the entrance ramp

-as you get to the acceleration lane, speed up to the flow of traffic

-before you get to the end of the acceleration lane look for an opening in traffic, try to avoid coming to a complete stop

-yield to traffic and enter when safe

Turning Regulations

A. Right turn on red

-NJ law allows a right turn on red after a complete stop unless there is a sign stating no turn on red.

B. Left turnsC. Circle intersections

Stopping Regulations

When you must stop:• at an intersection w/ a stop sign• where there is a red light• where there is a flashing red light• when a traffic officer orders you to stop• when there is a yield sign and traffic

on the through road is too close

• when a school bus’ red lights are flashing• for pedestrians in a crosswalk or @ an intersection• at a railroad crossing• for emergency vehicles

Using Your Lights NJ law states that you must turn on

your headlights when you use windshield wipers

Headlights must be used:- between ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise- in bad weather (rain, smoke, fog, snow)- whenever visibility is 500 ft. or less

Parking Regulations

Do not park:• on a crosswalk• within 10 feet of a fire hydrant• within 25 ft. of a crosswalk at an intersection• within 50 ft. of a railroad crossing• within 50 ft. of a stop sign

• within 20 ft. of the driveway entrance to any fire station; within 75 ft. on the street opposite a fire station entrance• in a handicapped spot• on a bridge, elevated roadway or in any tunnel

Littering

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

thrown license could be suspended