Intersections & Right of Way

1. Intersections & Right of Way Chapter 8

2. Three basic types of intersections • Controlled • Use some form of signal, sign, or control device to direct traffic • Examples – Stop Lights, STOP & YIELD signs, flashing yellow lights, and railroad crossings • Semicontrolled • Have either signs or signals on one or several approaches to the intersection but not every approach • Dangerous because not every driver knows what to do • Uncontrolled • No form of control • Found in rural or residential areas with little traffic • Rarely found in the city or urban areas 8-1 Intersections

3. More than 1/3 of all collisions happen at an intersection • 1/4 of all fatal collisions take place at an intersection • Major Reason • Driver’s failure to identify a safe path of travel through the intersection Searching Intersections

4. Can You Name 6 Intersection Identifiers? Street signs Parked vehicles on cross streets Traffic Stopping Turning Traffic Crossing Traffic Roadway Markings

5. Street Signs • Roadway Markings • Crossing Traffic • Parked Vehicles on Cross Streets • Turning Traffic • Traffic Stopping • Rows of Mailboxes • Fences or Power Lines Clues To Identify Intersections

6. Approaching a Red Light or STOP Signs • Reduce speed to stop • You must make a FULL STOP at the crosswalk, stop line, or imaginary line extending from the stop sign if no actual line is painted on roadway • You can be ticketed for not coming to a complete stop • Never try to beat a signal • Look for signs indicating turning prohibitions • No turn on red Approaching a Controlled Intersection

7. Yellow Lights and YIELD Signs • Point of No Return • Point at which you can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection • Checking traffic to your rear is crucial in determining whether or not to stop • It is safer to proceed if you can do so safely rather than risk being rear-ended Approaching a Controlled Intersection

8. Yellow Lights and YIELD Signs • “Long” Yellow – the light just turned yellow • “Short” Yellow – the light has been yellow for a while and could change to RED • Identifying this in the distance can better prepare you to stop if the light changes to red • Flashing Yellow or YIELD sign at an intersection: • Reduce speed and scan in both directions • Look Left, Right, and Left again • Proceed if clear Approaching a Controlled Intersection

9. Green Lights • “Stale” Green • A light that has been GREEN for a long time • Anticipate and slow down • “Fresh” Green • A light that has just changed from RED to GREEN • Proceed when clear • Watch out for drivers trying to “beat” the yellow light • If turning left, make sure there is a sufficient break in oncoming traffic Approaching a Controlled Intersection

10. Don’t treat the lights as a drag race • Pedestrians or vehicles can come into your path as you accelerate • Don’t enter unless you are sure you can get all the way across • Don’t block the intersection • Can be ticketed in some jurisdictions Intersection Do’s and Don’ts

11. http://youtu.be/ZyUSLCe3S58

12. Use Extra Caution • Scanning ahead is critical • Many are in residential areas • Have to watch out for children, animals, etc. • Always reduce speed and be prepared to stop Approaching an Uncontrolled Intersection

13. Alley Intersections • Can be dangerous in urban settings • Have to be more patient in waiting for an opening • Is the first opportunity to go the best opportunity? • Traffic Circles (Roundabouts) • Circular roadways that allow traffic from many different directions to intersect without having to stop at traffic signals • Be aware of vehicles on both sides of you • Inner lane is used for through traffic/Outer lane for exiting traffic • Exiting can be tricky, so you can always travel around the circle until you get an opening Other Types of Intersections

14. The right to use a certain part of a roadway when somebody else wants to use it at the same time • “Yielding” is giving the “right-of-way” to someone else • You can always give right-of-way to others even if you have the right-of-way • Why? – flow of traffic, avoid collisions, or just being NICE • Never assume others will give you right-of-way • Communicate with others 8-2 Right of Way

15. Pedestrians come first – That’s why we stop behind the crosswalk or STOP sign • Cross-traffic comes second • Uncontrolled intersections, intersections with STOP signs on all corners (4-way), or intersections with flashing red or broken signal lights – Person that stops first, goes first Right-of-Way at Intersections

16. Right-Hand Rule • Drivers on the left should always give right-of-way to drivers on the right • Communication is vital • Give Right-of-Way to pedestrians before coming to a sidewalk • Give Right-of-Way to all vehicles in a roadway when approaching from an alley, private driveway, or private road • Stop Twice – once for pedestrians and once before entering the roadway • Making turns • Always yield to vehicles that already have the right of way • If you are in the intersection and the light turns red, cross traffic will yield to you Right-of-Way at Intersections

17. Turn to page 176 in your textbook

18. Passing • Always give right-of-way to vehicles passing you and any vehicle that will prevent you from passing safely • Merging Lanes • If the lane you are in ends, give right of way to vehicles passing you in your lane • Roadway Parking • When pulling out of a parking spot, you must give right-of-way to through traffic on the road Other Right-of-Way Situations

19. Pedestrians • Always be prepared to give right-of-way to pedestrians • Treat any intersection as if there were a crosswalk painted on the road • Emergency Vehicles • Must always give right-of-way to any emergency vehicle • Move to the far right of your lane as near to the curb as possible and stop • Do not stop in an intersection • If you can’t stop, slow down and make a path • Funeral Processions & Motorcades • Lead vehicle has right-of-way over other vehicles • Will have flags, signs, lights, or police escort • Vehicles behind the lead follow without stopping Other Right-of-Way Situations

20. Railroad crossings are the site of hundreds of deaths each year in the U.S. • One of the deadliest types of intersections • Caused by human error: • Disobeying warning signals or devices • Outrunning trains • Ignoring crossing barriers 8-3 Railroad Crossings

21. It takes 2/3 of a mile for an 8 car passenger train going 60mph to stop. • It takes a 150-car freight car traveling 30 mph 3,150 feet to stop • This is the speed at which most highway-rail crashes occur • Even if the engineer sees you, it is impossible for them to miss you • A train hitting a car is like stomping a pop can 8-3 Railroad Crossings

22. Controlled Railroad Crossing • Includes signs, warning lights, signals, roadway markings, lowered crossing gates, or some combination of these • Warning signs will be posted well in advance (200-800 feet) • Uncontrolled Railroad Crossings • Found in rural areas • No warning signs or signals • Treat as if you were approaching a YIELD sign 8-3 Railroad Crossings

23. Approaching a railroad Crossing • Reduce speed and listen for train coming • Look and Listen • Determine if any controls are at the crossing and obey them • Do not try to beat the train • Do not go if the gates are down • If you determine it is clear, proceed. If it is not clear, stop well away from the tracks (20 feet) • Once the train has passed, check to make sure there isn’t another • Don’t just go because the arms are up! 8-3 Railroad Crossings