Traffic Control and Driving Essentials

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, vehicle control maneuvers, passing rules, and right-of-way protocols from the lecture notes.

Traffic Control Devices

Any sign, signal, or marking that controls or guides traffic; they must be obeyed unless a police officer directs otherwise.

Red Traffic Signs

Indicate stop, yield, or prohibited actions, such as stop signs and do not enter signs.

Yellow Traffic Signs

Warning signs for curves, hazards, and crossings.

White Traffic Signs

Regulatory signs that display laws such as speed limits and rules.

Green Traffic Signs

Signs providing directions, exits, and allowed movements.

Blue Traffic Signs

Signs for services such as gas, hospitals, and rest areas.

Brown Traffic Signs

Signs indicating recreation or cultural areas.

Orange Traffic Signs

Signage for construction or work zones.

Fluorescent yellow-green Signs

Signs for pedestrians, schools, and cyclists.

Pink Traffic Signs

Signs for temporary incident warnings.

Purple Traffic Signs

Signs indicating electronic toll collection lanes.

Flashing red light

A traffic signal that must be treated like a stop sign.

Flashing yellow light

A signal indicating to slow down and proceed with caution.

Broken traffic signal

A signal that is not working and must be treated as a 4-way stop.

Left turn on red

A maneuver only allowed when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

Flashing yellow arrow

A signal indicating a turn is allowed after yielding.

Green arrow

A signal indicating a protected turn.

White pavement lines

Markings that separate traffic moving in the same direction.

Yellow pavement lines

Markings that separate traffic moving in opposite directions, signaling a risk of head-on collisions.

Solid pavement line

A marking indicating that crossing is not allowed except for turning or emergencies.

Broken pavement line

A marking indicating that passing is allowed if safe.

Stop lines

Lines on the pavement that indicate the specific location where a driver must stop.

Steering hand position

The recommended position at 9 and 3 o'clock on the steering wheel for smooth control.

Stopping distance

The sum of reaction time and braking distance, which increases quickly with speed.

Signal distance

The requirement to signal a turn at least $100\,feet$ before turning.

Blind spot

An area around the vehicle not visible in mirrors that must be checked when changing lanes or backing up.

Passing on the right

Only allowed if there are multiple lanes in the same direction or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.

Left hand signal

The arm held straight out to indicate a left turn if electronic signals fail.

Right hand signal

The arm bent upward to indicate a right turn if electronic signals fail.

No-passing zone (Visibility)

Areas such as hills or curves where a driver cannot see at least $500\,ft$ ahead.

No-passing zone (Proximity)

Areas within $100\,ft$ of intersections, bridges, or railroads.

Right-of-way

A concept where priority is given to others, requiring a driver to yield or stop if necessary.

4-way stop rules

The first vehicle to stop goes first; if vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.