CHAPTER 14Driving in City Traffic

KEY IDEA This chapter discusses the skills

necessary to navigate driving situations in city traffic.

ADJUSTING TO CITY TRAFFIC What are some

ways in which city traffic could be different from driving in other areas?

What can we use to reduce the risks presented by city traffic?

TRAFFIC COMPLEXITY 2 main reasons for

city driving being more difficult are:1. Traffic Density2. Issues with Time,

Distance, and Speed

CLASS ACTIVITY Recall of information

You will have 10 seconds to look at the next slide.

After the slide is shown you will be asked to recall the numbers from smallest to largest.

7542

24596

3748472

849494041

Please write down the numbers.

Did anyone get: The 1st set? 1st and 2nd set? 1st, 2nd, and 3rd set? All 4 sets? Why was this difficult?

This time you will see four numbers. How many times does the number 4 appear?

7542

24596

3748472

849494041

How many times does the number 4 appear?

Is it easier to pick out specific items if you know what you are looking for?

USING THE IPDE PROCESS Identify

Be aware of aggressive drivers and distracted drivers

Predict Possible points of

conflict to gain time to respond

Decide Change speed and

communicate to create time and space

Execute Carry out you decision

in a smooth deliberate manner

FOLLOWING DISTANCE How far behind

another vehicle should we be (in terms of time)?

How do you check your following distance?

3 Second Rule

IS A 3 SECOND FOLLOWING DISTANCE ALWAYS SAFE?

What might be some situations in which you would need to increase your following distance to more than 3 seconds? Beginning driver Being tailgated Approaching a LOS

restriction Any poor traction setting Heavy load/vehicle Driver ahead seems

unsure Following a motorcycle

TAILGATERS Define Tailgating.

Following someone too closely (less than a 3 second following distance)

Managing a tailgater Increase your following

distance to 4 sec. or more.

Move slightly to the right.

Signal early for turns and stops.

Change lanes or pull over and let them go by.

MANAGING SPACE IN CITY TRAFFIC

How far ahead of your path of travel should you be looking?½ - 1 block in heavy

traffic in a city setting

APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL

Search your target area to find traffic signals.

Red light Slow and prepare to stop.

Green light “Fresh” “Stale”

Cover the Brake

What else at the intersection could help you determine if the light is “stale” or not?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHERE TO LOOK Scan Sidewalk to

sidewalk Identify signs, signals,

and roadway markings Be aware of the

roadway features and conditions

Identify the other users

Identify intersections and driveways so you know where traffic can come from

RESPONDING TO HAZARDS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD

Cover the brake Look for drivers inside

the car (through windows)

Pay attention to: Tail lights Presence of exhaust

(cold weather) Front wheel position

Be prepared to change lane position to the left

Video

RESPONDING TO ON COMING TRAFFIC

What should you do if an oncoming car enters your lane? How would you avoid a collision?Slow DownSteer Right Honk hornFlash Lights

Video Demo

SELECTING THE BEST LANE 4 simple

questions:Which one is the

safest?Am I going to

keep going straight?

Am I going to turn left?

Am I going to turn right?

IDENTIFYING ONE-WAY STREETS What can help you

identify if the cross street is one-way or two-way? Parked cars Lane markings Traffic flow Signs

ENTERING ONE-WAY STREETS Always turn from

the closest lane available to the turn into the first available lane in your direction.

WRONG WAY DRIVER Treat same as if

the crossed the center line.Steer rightSlow downHonkFlash lights

FOR YOUR QUIZ Explain what are the two main factors that

increase the difficulty of driving in urban settings. Explain four ways to help you manage tailgaters. Explain what to do to avoid a collision with an

oncoming vehicle in your lane. Explain how far ahead should you be scanning in

an urban setting. Explain what can you do to help you avoid a

possible hazard ahead of you on your side of the road.

List 3 of the 5 items you should be looking for when driving in an urban setting.

Explain how you select which lane you should be in when driving on a multiple lane road.

Explain which lane do you turn into when turning onto a cross street.