Chapters 10 & 11

Illinois Rules of the Road

Traffic Signals Traffics lights are red, yellow and green from

top to bottom OR from left to right. Red means STOP Yellow means warning, slow down or

proceed with caution. Green means GO.

Traffic lights

Treat a Flashing Red light like a stop sign Check both ways before proceeding with a

Flashing Yellow light. REMEMBER to yield the RIGHT of WAY.

Pavement Markings

Solid White Lines Used on the right side to signify the end of the

road Separate lanes of traffic moving in the same

direction

Broken White Lines

Used to separate traffic moving in the same direction

Yellow Solid Lines

Used when traffic is moving in opposite directions

Yellow Broken Lines

Separates traffic moving in the OPPOSITE direction

Passing

Double lines indicate NO PASSING Broken lines you can pass where these lines

are present If there are both solid and broken lines, the

car on the side on the broken lines is the only one who can legally pass

Railroad Crossing

When approaching a railroad crossing you must stop within 50 feet to 15 feet if there is a

posted STOP sign, the electric signal is flashing or the crossing gate is lowered. You also

must stop if a flag person issues a signal to stop or a train is approaching and/or gives a

warning.

Treat the crossbuck sign like a yield sign!

Chapter 11

Aggressive driving is the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.

• Speeding • Running red lights and stop signs • Tailgating • Passing on the shoulder of the road • Cutting off another vehicle • Slamming on brakes in front of a tailgater • Improper hand or facial gestures at other drivers • Yelling • Repeatedly honking the horn • Repeatedly flashing of headlights

How to React to Aggressive Drivers • Do not retaliate or in any way engage the

other driver. Get out of the way. • Do not make eye contact. • Keep your doors locked and your windows

up. • Keep enough space between you and the

vehicle in front of you to pull out from behind. • Do not underestimate the other driver’s

potential for aggression.

How to Avoid Becoming an Aggressive Driver

• Be patient and courteous. • Do not drive when angry, overtired or upset. • Allow extra time to get to your destination. • When possible, change your schedule to

avoid congestion. • Listen to relaxing music or books on tape. • Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt —

all drivers make mistakes. • Avoid all conflict, even if you are right.

Following Distance

Following a vehicle too closely is called “tailgating.” Use the three-second rule to determine a safe following distance. Select a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead of you passes the object, count “onethousand- one, one-thousand-two, etc.” You should not reach the object before you count to one-thousand-three. If you do, you are following too closely. Most rear-end collisions are caused by the vehicle in back following too closely.

Weather Conditions If you have to drive in FOG, turn off cruise

control, slow down, use fog lights or dim you lights and use your signals.

If you have to drive in the rain, turn your headlights and wipers on, no cruise control, watch the turns. If you hydroplane (skidding from the rain), regain control by releasing the gas and riding it out!

If you drive in high winds, reduce speed, be alert and plan your escape route.

Equipment Failure Blowouts-ease off gas, grip the wheel and pull off

the road. Do NOT brake suddenly. Loose a tire- same as above Steering fails- ease off the gas, turn flashers on & let

the car stop on its on- DO NOT brake suddenly. Brakes fail- pump your brakes Headlights fail- use your ER flashers Gas pedal sticks- use your foot to release it, if that

doesn’t work, shift to neutral & brake Blocked vision- roll down the window & pull over

Skidding (when your tire loses traction)- ease off the pedals, steer into the skid until you regain control.

Driving off the pavement- grip your wheel, ease off gas and brake gently. Check behind you and steer back onto pavement

Fire- If you see smoke, pull over & turn off the engine, get away from your car and dial 911.

Do not run the engine in garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Signs Review