Idaho Public Driver EducationIdaho Public Driver Education

Urban Driving & Parking

Urban Driving Characteristics 

Urban and suburban driving includes residential areas with typically less traffic, business areas where traffic can be congested and inconsistent, and higher speed areas designed to move traffic through an urban area.  

Congested Areas

- Every city has it’s own busy areas where traffic is usually heaviest.

- Name three places in your town that are the most congested.

- There are more hazards mile for mile in city driving than in residential area driving.

- At times the hectic pace of city traffic and things to pay attention to can almost become overwhelming. Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

City Traffic

1. Pedestrians, bicyclists, road signs, billboards, traffic signals, advertisements and road markings

2. Many intersections controlled by traffic signs and signals3. Streets wider than residential streets 4. City blocks divided by alleys, creating even more intersections5. Many stores and businesses6. Faster traffic7. Traffic that starts and stops frequently8. Gridlocked traffic due to “rush hour” congestion9. Stop and go traffic lasting for many blocks or miles10. Crashes and/or special events like parades or concerts creating a need

for alternate routes11. Rows of parked vehicles, delivery trucks and blind alleys creating

LOS/POT restrictions to roadways and pedestrians12. Parking difficult to locate13. Drivers competing for lane openings or parking spaces14. Work zones creating congested conditions and impatient drivers15. Detours due to street maintenance or emergencies16. Pot holes caused by heavy traffic17. Double parked delivery trucks 18. Busses, trains, and trolleys

City Hazards

In this traffic scene, how many hazards can you

identify?

In this traffic scene, how many hazards can you

identify?

In this traffic scene, how many hazards can you

identify?

How many hazards can you identify here?

 

- Residential areas typically have lower traffic volume and slower speed limits

- Speed limits on residential streets are usually 25 mph or less

- Most crashes occur close to home; perhaps because drivers are more comfortable and less inattentive to familiar roads and conditions

Urban and Suburban Residential Areas 

Is this residential area similar to where you

live?

Urban and Suburban Residential Area Hazards

 

On this residential street, how many

hazards do you identify?

In this traffic scene, how many hazards can you

identify?

In this residential traffic scene, how can you

improve your line-of-sight?

Should the child on the scooter create a concern for drivers? Why?

Risky Behaviors inUrban and Suburban Residential Areas

• Speeding• Failing to search for pedestrians and

bicyclists entering or on the street• Failing to look for line-of-sight

restrictions that hide traffic signs• Ignoring speed bumps• Failing to yield the right of way on

narrow streets• Running stop signs• Failing to look for traffic and

pedestrians when exiting a driveway • Failing to wear a seat belt

Describe risky driver behaviors to avoid.

Two Lane Streets 

• On streets with two lanes going in the same direction, the right lane might not be the best travel lane because vehicles may suddenly slow to turn into a business or parking lot.

• Sudden starts and stops may occur if there are no turn lanes or center share lane to help traffic make left turns

• On-coming traffic may drift across the center line into the other lane

You are the driver approaching this scene.

What lane position would you choose?

Why?

Two Lane Streets 

In this traffic scene, identify any hazards or

areas of concern.

The speed limit on this roadway is 55 mph.

The drivers are all driving at the maximum speed limit.

Two Lane Streets 

Describe all the signs, signals, and markings in this street scene.

Is this street flat or inclined?

Multiple-Lane Streets

On streets with two or more lanes and a center shared turn lane, choose the lane with the smoothest flow.

Which lane would you choose to travel in.

Why?

Good Habits Managing Time and Space in Urban Environments

 Use an orderly visual search pattern.

Photo courtesy of the AAA Foundation

Where Should Drivers Search?

Where Should Drivers Search?

Control Space to the Front

You are traveling at 35 mph, what actions would you take to control your

space?

Communicate to Others

What communication clues are seen in these traffic

scenes?

Make Reduced-Risk Decisions

• Stay within the posted speed limit and choosing to reduce speed to reduce risk

• Know your Perception time (the amount of time it takes to see a hazard) and Reaction time (the time it takes to act after seeing the hazard)

• Know how to access local traffic information to plan alternative routes

• Plan routes that avoid rush hour and work zone congestion

• Avoid frequent lane changes — it greatly increases the chance of a collision

• Make smooth, controlled steering and braking maneuvers

• Always wearing a seat belt

Make Reduced Risk Decisions

You are traveling at 30 mph. Search your target area.

Describe the reduced-risk actions you would take.

ParkingParking

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Videos/ParkingWoes.wmv

Parking LawsParking Laws

• On sidewalks

• On the street side of any parked vehicle; known as “double parking”

• In intersections

• Within 50 feet of railroad tracks

• On bridges or overpasses

• In front of a driveway

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk

• Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal

• Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway

• On any controlled-access highway (freeway)

• Where prohibited by signs or a red, yellow, or white “no parking” curb

Parking is not permitted:

Possibly the easiest method of parking – simply swing a little wide and use reference points to park evenly between cars on both sides.

Entering Angled ParkingEntering Angled Parking

Exiting Angled ParkingExiting Angled Parking

•Know which way you plan to drive forward once backed out.

•Don’t turn the wheel until your front end can clear the blue car.

•Move slowly and look for pedestrians, especially small children.

Perpendicular Forward ParkingPerpendicular Forward Parking

More difficult than angled parking because your car must turn a perfect 90 degrees and slide between two vehicles (which aren’t usually as far apart than the ones shown here).

Again, swing wide and use reference points to park evenly between carson both sides.

Exiting Perpendicular Forward ParkingExiting Perpendicular Forward Parking

• Watch for pedestrians, especially young children who may be below your rear window or trunk!

• Shift to REVERSE.• Back out slowly.• Crank the wheel once your front end clears the bumper of both cars.• Shift to DRIVE (or 1st) and slowly drive forward.

Backing Backing into Perpendicular Parking into Perpendicular Parking

ADVANTAGES

• Provides a better view when leaving the space • Avoids backing out into traffic • More likely to be let into the traffic flow when

exiting• Reduced risk of hitting something or being hit

ANY DISADVANTAGES?

45 Degrees

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Videos/ParkingBackwards.wmv

Parallel ParkingParallel Parking

TIPS:

•Select a space that is at least 6’ longer than your vehicle.

•Flash your brake lights and signal a right turn.

PROCEDURE:

1. Line up your back bumper with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper.

2. When your seat is even with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper, straighten your wheels.

3. When your front bumper is even with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper, turn your wheels sharply to the left. Back slowly, looking out the rear window.

4. Use the steering wheel to adjust the car so it is parallel to and less than 18” from the curb.

5. Straighten the wheels and even the spaces between the front and rear vehicles.

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Videos/ParallelParking.wmv

Exiting Parallel ParkingExiting Parallel ParkingTIPS:

•Back up before pulling out. This increases the space for pulling out.

•Signal left.

•Check blind spot.

•Crank wheel to the left and then enter traffic slowly.

ParkingParking Uphill Uphill WithWith a Curb a Curb

Crank the front wheels LEFT and let the front right tire roll back into the curb. Then put the car in PARK and set the emergency brake.

The goal is to always use the FRONT tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic!

ParkingParking Uphill Without Uphill Without a Curba Curb

Crank the front wheels RIGHT, put the car in PARK and set the emergency brake.

In this case, there is no curb, so the car will roll off the road and not into traffic (if for some reason it rolls).

ParkingParking Downhill With/Without Downhill With/Without a Curba Curb

Crank the front wheels right, put the car in PARK and set the emergency brake.

The right front tire will hold the car in place against the curb.

Parking Lot StrategiesParking Lot Strategies• Obey speed limits• Follow the directions of the signs and markings• Do not drive diagonally across parking lot lane

markings• Be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists, roller-bladers

and skateboarders• Avoid tight parking spaces• Avoid competing for a parking space

• Pull into the space far enough that the front and rear of the vehicle are not in the flow of traffic

• Position the vehicle properly in the space• Secure the vehicle, locking valuables in the trunk • Search all directions when exiting the parking space• Watch for drivers backing out

Parking Garage StrategiesParking Garage Strategies

• Watch for backup lights on other vehicles

• Observe and follow all signs• Stay to the right• Use headlights in dark garages• Be aware of people in and

around the garage

• When leaving the parking garage be aware - approach the vehicle with key in hand, look around and in the vehicle for unwanted passengers• Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians

Airport Parking StrategiesAirport Parking Strategies

• Parking at most airport terminal buildings is usually not allowed; parking is for temporary drop off and pick up of passengers only.

• A vehicle may be towed if the vehicle is left unattended at a terminal.

• Decide if you need short term, long term, or metered parking.

• Place the parking receipt in a secure location inside the vehicle.

Handicapped Handicapped ParkingParking

The handicapped parking symbol indicates parking spaces are reserved for a handicapped person

Vehicles displaying this symbol on their license plate or a special card in or around the dashboard may park in handicapped spaces Non-handicapped drivers are prohibited from parking in handicapped parking areas and may be fined ($100.00) for violations A handicapped person may park automobiles displaying the handicapped symbol in public parking spaces without paying and the time is unlimited

SummaryYou will need to practice parking to avoid embarrassing situations like double parking…

The good news is that you will have the chance to practice parking every time you drive!

Even better news: you may never need to parallel park (but you should know how just in case!)