Lesson 15.1
Rural roadways
- Shoulders can be wide or narrow
- Made up of different kinds of materials
- Road surface may be in poor condition
- Trees and shrubs can shield your line of vision
Safe Speed
- 55 mph or above
- Slower speeds are safer in harsh conditions
- Never drive faster than conditions allow
Traffic Controls
- Signs, signals, lane markings
- Most warning signs use graphics or pictures
- Alert driver of hazardous conditions
- Reduce your speed when you have a warning sign in sight
- Use cautions at intersections
Roadside Hazards
- Older roads are often more narrow and not maintained as well
- Possible uneven on the edge of the roadway
- Deep Ditches
- Trees, shrubs, or snow piles
Lesson 15.2
Visual Search Pattern
- 12-15 second visual lead covers more area
- Helps you safely respond to hazards
Curves, hills, and intersections
- Warning signs are located anywhere from 250-750ft before the curve
- Usually you'll find an advisory speed sign before the curve
- Always evaluate your target area
- Hills usually restrict your line of sight
- Slow when approaching a hill
- Make as much space going over and hill in case of oncoming vehicle
- Rural intersections usually only have stop signs
- Try to identify intersections early
Driving on multilane Roads
- All divided roads have traffic moving in opposite directions
- Always try to drive in the right hand lane
- When making a left turn try to get in the lane closest to the center line
- Check for traffic if entering a multilane road
Lesson 15.3
Passing
- If you are about to pass make sure it is legal first
- Check all roadways signs
- Make sure there are no conflicts ahead or behind you
- Check roadways condtitions
- If in doubt, do not pass
- Use your signals to pass
- Adjust your speed
No Passing situations
- Marked by solid yellow lines
- Signs can also indicate this
- When you're on uphill roads
- When you're at an intersection
- When you're going under a bridge
- When you're on a roadway curve
Being passed
- Do not speed up
- Move closer to the shoulder
- Slow down
Lesson 15.4
SLOW MOVING VEHICLES
- Cannot travel at normal posted speed
- Usually have some form of hazard light or sign
- Prepare to pass when safe to do so
Animals
- Easily can become frightened and run out on roads
- Large animals can cause huge damage
- Stop well in advance of an animal
- Be patient and wait
- Stay in your vehicle
Railroad Crossings
- Trains travel at high speeds
- Be alert for railroad crossings
- Slow and check left and right before crossing
- Make sure it's safe
Lesson 15.5
Mountain Driving
- Accelerate steadily
- Downshift to lower gear if needed
- Reduce speed if you can't see around a curve
- Follow heavier trucks at a 4 second following distance
- Never coast downhill
- Fog, snow, and ice are more common in the mountains
- High altitudes
Desert Driving
- Intense heat
- Intense glare from sun
- Requires frequent vehicle service
- Check radiator fluids every fuel stop
- Have speed limits of 75-80mph or above
- Sandstorms, flash floods, and storms can occur
- Try to get to higher ground and check your car after these events
Questions
- Why are there advisory speed signs before curves?
- What is the suggested second visual search pattern?
- What is a good following distance behind a slow moving vehicle?
- When turning left on a multilane road, which lane should you be in?
- Why should you not speed up when someone is passing you?
- When are you not allowed to pass in a situation?
- What do you do if you encounter an animal on the roadway?
- What weather can likely occur in the mountains?
- What should you do every fuel stop while driving in the desert?
- What is the first thing you should do when you see a warning sign?
Credits:
Created with images by jaxbot - "DSC_4491" • AurelienDP - "camera car road" • fabiencambi - "Speed limit" • Johan G - "Swedish winter road" • We have moved! Please visit /highwaysengland - "HA0442-233" • elljay - "no passing zone sign triangle" • Wokandapix - "bus school transportation" • steve p2008 - "cow" • Tony Webster - "Railroad" • tpsdave - "catalina island california landscape" • Moyan_Brenn - "Desert" • TeroVesalainen - "question mark why problem"