Speed Controls

Chapter 4 Safe Driving

Speed ControlsA driver is responsible to know 2 speed zones

25 mph - Residential, school & business50 mph - All others

No signs posted = choose the proper speed zone

Exceeding the speed is a common factor of all crashes

Dont Be Too Slow Either!

Speed Zones continueSpeed limits = highest speed you should travel under ideal conditions. A good rule is to keep up with traffic at any legal speed.

Speed Zones

25 - Business or residential25 - School must be posted35 - Suburban business & residential 50 - Other55 - Certain state highways & interstates65 - Interstates

Speed Zones continueDouble fines 4 areas where penalties double

School Zones Construction ZonesSafe Corridor Zones65 MPH Speed Zones

Speed limits not postedIt is possible to get a speeding ticket when going the post limit WHY?If driving faster than the weather or road conditions safely allowResult = Moving Violation

Always slow down:On narrow or winding roadsAt intersections & railroad crossingsHillsSharp or blind curvesWet slippery roadsPedestrians or driving hazards

Safe Corridor ZonesThese are sections of a high way that have above average accident reports.

In these areas, which are marked by signs, all fines are doubled as a way of getting motorists to drive with more caution.

Higher police presence and additional road maintenance in effort to reduce the accident rate

PassingPassing-changing lanes in order to go by slower moving vehicles

Ask Yourself- Is it legal? safe? necessary? Legal line nearest me = solid or brokensign preventingUnsafe areas include hills, curves, blind areas, intersections, rail roads, narrow bridges, other vehicles yielding to pedestrians

Keep to the RightLaw requires motorists to stay to the right, except to pass

What good, responsible, safe driver know is when they have the right-of-way and when they have to yield.

A good driver will also know when and how to give you their right-of-way. Overly courteous drivers cause a lot of problemsDont be a Mrs. Wojo!

Yield Must yield to:

All Emergency vehicles in service (lights & sirens) Buses & postal vehicles re-entering traffic Pedestrians Motorized or mobility vehicles Other vehicles already in intersection

Pedestrians NJ experiences a large number of pedestrian accidents compared to other states. In order to reduce this we must take a shared responsibility approach. The motorists must:

Yield to pedestriansDont block or park on side walks and crosswalksKeep windshield cleanBe alert in high pedestrian areasWatch for pedestrians when turn (all)Never pass vehicles that are yielding to pedestrians Penalty for not stopping for a pedestrian: fine up to $500, up to 25 days in jail, community service, a driving privilege suspension of up to 6 months+2 points

IntersectionsDefinition where 2 or more roads meet.

Most collisions occur at intersections

A single solid white line across a road at an intersection is a stop line. If a stop is required, you must come to a complete stop before crossing that line.

Types of IntersectionsControlled traffic is controlled by traffic signals or signs (or officer)

Laws governing signals dictate right-of-way, but at four way stop intersection, when cars arrive together, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right

Uncontrolled intersections without signals or signs reduce speed and be prepared to stop

Intersection continuedSignals not working = treat as a four-way stop

Exam note: a driver cannot drive on private property to avoid a traffic signal or sign, the only time a motorist can do so is when told to by police

Blind intersections slow down or stop to check traffic

Circles rules governing circle are individual

Entering & Exiting Limit access Acceleration lanes extra lanes added to road to allow motorist to speed up in order to enter a roadway. Remember these lanes will end & you are the driver responsible to yield

Deceleration lane extra lanes added to allow motorists to slow down to exit at the posted speed

Weaves combined additional lane for entering & leaving. Motorist entering must yield

Disabled VehicleIf your vehicle does break down Pull vehicle as far off the road as possibleSignal and slow down with care.Turn on hazard lightsRaise hood and or attach cloth to hood or windowPlace flares or signs 300 feet behind carCall for help and stay with vehicleDont stand behind car

CurvesApproaching curves is the same as approaching a turn except for the single, many people cause their own skid by doing this wrong.

Slow down (to posted limit) before enteringAvoid drifting Once in the turn foot should be on gasAt half way point gradually accelerate

TurningRight on Red Law: You must turn right on red unless a sign is posted.

SignalCome complete stop After yielding to traffic & pedestrians you may turnGlance at light to see if it has changed

Turns continuedRight turns:

SignalMove to appropriate lane (to far right)Stay in proper laneBe alert to pedestrians or bicyclists on right

Turns continuedLeft turns:Is it legalLeft most legal lane, (closest to center line) signalYield to all on coming & pedestrian trafficTurn into the left most legal laneStay in lane (Dont cut or turn wide)

Exam -Turning left from two-way to four-lane highwayMake the turn before reaching the center of the intersection

Stopping Regulations Signs, signals & rules indicate when a motoristshould stop.

Most accidents occur at intersections because: - trying to jump the signal - ignore yield regulations

To avoid accidents -slow down and prepare to stop

StopSolid or flashing red lightOfficer or traffic control person orders you toSchool bus with lights onComing from a private roadDraw bridge or rail road with warning lights onPedestrian in cross walk Blind pedestrian (dog or cane)Motorized wheel chairTrain Crossing:Motorist must stop 15 feet from railroad crossings when there are flashing lights, bells or flag signals

Fact: A train traveling at 60 mph or more need more than a mile to stop!

Stopping continuedStop line Solid white line across road

Certain vehicles must stop at rail road crossings if you are behind one you must also stop (see no passing)

School Bus Stop at least 25 feet in all directions unless:Divided highwayIn front of school may pass at 10 mph

Stop continuedFrozen Dessert (ice cream truck): -When conducting business (when you hear the music)- yield to all pedestrians then you may pass at 15 mph

Emergency VehiclesPull over and stop (yield to) After the vehicle has passed you may proceed Dont follow within 300 feet and never park within 200 feet. Urban areas my have an emergency lane

MOVE OVER LAWAll motorist approaching a stationary, authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway maintenance, or other emergency service vehicle that are displaying lights must change lanes into one not adjacent to the vehicleIf unsafe to change lanes- must reduce speed

Violation of this law - $100-$500 fine

Use of LightsWhen: hour after sunset hour before sun riseWind shield wipers onVisibility of less than 500 feet (fog, smoke, snow)

Parking or auxiliary light cannot be used when head lights are required

Lights continuedBright or high beams used for open country driving.

TTLB: The person driving toward you can see you. Turn your high beams off anytime there is a vehicle within 500 feet of your car. Including divided highways

Quick flash of your lights then look low and to rightDims for driving in city and traffic

Fact: High- beam lights can cause the other motorist pupils to constrict causing a three to five second recovery from the glareTraveling at 50 mph- Traveled a football field without being able to see

Other required lightsTail Lights - RearBrake Lights - Rear Back-up Lights - RearPlate Lights - RearSignal Lights - Rear & Front/sideHazard Lights - Rear & Front/sideParking Lights - Rear & Front/sideHead Lights - FrontDome Lights - InsideDash lights - InsideParking RegulationsWhen leaving a parked car open the door with care the driver is responsible for collisions occurring from opening doors.

Cars must be no farther than 6 inches from curb

Check for parking regulation signs before parking.

Then sign that controls your car is the sign behind you or the last sign you saw.

No ParkingFire hydrant 10 feetCrosswalk 25 feetStop Sign & railroad crossing 50 feetFire station entrance 20 feet, 75 feet opposite sideOn crosswalkOn SidewalkRed or yellow zone (pedestrian safety zone)On interstateIn bus stopDriveway entrance (any)On bridge or elevated roadNext to another car (double parked)Prohibited by ordinance

Cell PhonesTTLB: (After seat belts this is the number one TTLB) - Driving and texting has proven to be more dangerous that driving at the level of .08. I will do neither. If I need to talk or texted I will pull over.

Pull over, Pull over, Pull over!!

$100 to $250 fine, primary offense, all electronics are a GDL offense

Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

At any given moment during daylight hours, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.

LitteringThe driver is responsible for the vehicle, and trash thrown from a vehicle (moving or parked) can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and loss of license.

Life lesson There is no excuse for littering be a better citizen and dont litter or stand by quietly while others do. Regardless of the situation or location.