North Carolina Driving Rules and Regulations

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering North Carolina road rules, driver safety, legal penalties, and vehicle maintenance based on the provided lecture transcript.

Driver License Requirement (Engine)

A license is required for sitting in the driver's seat of a car while the engine is running.

Driver License Requirement (Towing)

A license is required for steering a car while it is being pushed or towed by another vehicle.

Refusal of Chemical Test

If a driver refuses a legal chemical test, the Division of Motor Vehicles must revoke the license for at least $12$ months.

Point System Suspension

A driver who accumulates $12$ points within $3$ years may lose his/her license.

Driver Improvement Clinic

A program that allows a driver with $7$ points to have $3$ points deducted upon satisfactory completion.

Highest Point Conviction

Passing a stopped school bus while it is unloading children carries the highest number of points.

Automatic License Revocation (Speeding)

A driver will lose his/her license for speeding more than $75\text{ mph}$ in a $55\text{ mph}$ zone.

License Restoration Process

Requires obtaining permission from the Driver License Section in Raleigh, paying a restoration fee at a driver license office, and reapplying.

Drunken Person Fatality Statistic

Roughly half of all traffic fatalities involve a drunken person.

Highway Death Percentage (Alcohol)

Approximately $38\%$ of highway deaths are caused by drunken persons.

City Pedestrian Deaths

In cities, $2$ out of $5$ people killed in motor vehicle accidents are pedestrians.

Walking Along Roads (No Sidewalks)

Pedestrians should walk on the left, facing traffic, and wear or carry something white at night.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

Pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections where there are no traffic lights or signs.

Safe Driving Mirrors

A safe driver frequently checks the rear-view and side mirrors to monitor traffic and avoid rear-end hits.

Right Turn Signal

Before turning right at an intersection, a driver should turn on the right turn signal and avoid steering toward the center of the road.

Drowsy Driving Prevention

To combat sleepiness on a long trip, a driver should open a window or vent for fresh air.

Long Trip Eye Movement

A driver should avoid looking at any one thing for more than a few seconds.

Slow Driving Hazard

Slow drivers are a serious traffic hazard, particularly just after the crest of a hill or rounding a curve.

Speed Limit (Outside City)

The default speed limit outside a city is $55\text{ mph}$ unless otherwise posted.

Speed Limit (Inside City)

The default speed limit inside a city is $35\text{ mph}$ unless otherwise posted.

Curve Physics

When rounding a curve, a car tends to move toward the outside of the curve.

Driving Downhill/Steep Hills

Drivers, especially truck drivers, should use a lower gear to reduce speed and maintain control.

Passing on Two-Lane Roads

Drivers should sound their horn to signal the car ahead and use a left turn signal to inform the driver behind.

Legal Passing on Right

This is permitted on $4$-lane highways with $2$ lanes in each direction or on one-way streets.

Backing Speed Limit

When backing a car, the speed should not exceed $10\text{ mph}$.

Accident Frequency Location

Highway accidents occur most frequently at intersections.

Intersection Right-of-Way (4-Way Stop)

The law provides specific yielding orders; for example, if cars A, B, and C are proceeding and Car D is to the right of Car B making a right turn, Car D must yield.

Unmarked Intersection Visibility

If trees or buildings block the view, a driver should stop at the intersection and move forward slowly.

City Street Hazards

Drivers should watch for traffic from side streets and animals or children darting from between parked cars.

Heavy Traffic Safety

Drivers should watch for others who make quick stops.

Incorrect Lane Turn

If in the wrong lane for a turn, the driver should continue to the next intersection and turn there.

Interstate Collision Type

The most frequent type of accident on interstate highways is a rear-end collision.

Interstate Trip Planning

Drivers should plan to stop every $100\text{ miles}$ at a rest area.

Shoulder Breakdown Procedure

The driver should raise the hood and tie a white handkerchief to the left door handle.

Interstate Accident Risk

The chance of an accident is greater if a driver travels considerably below the posted speed limit.

Missed Interstate Exit

If an exit is missed, the driver must go on to the next exit.

Low-Beam Headlight Use

Use low beams at night in the city and in foggy or misty weather.

Following Another Car (Night)

High-beam headlights should never be used when following another vehicle.

Drizzle Driving Precautions

Slow down as rain loosens oil and gravel, and allow at least twice the normal following distance.

Slick Road Conditions

Roads are especially slick just after it has begun to rain or drizzle.

Heavy Snowstorm Visibility

Low-beam headlights should be used during the day in heavy snowstorms.

Snow Traction

The best way to get good traction on hard-packed snow is to put chains on the tires.

Manual Transmission (Slippery Surfaces)

To pull away from a slippery surface, the driver should start in second or high gear.

Trailer Hill Safety

When pulling a trailer down a steep hill, drive in a lower gear and keep in the right lane.

Brake Failure Action

Shift into a lower gear and use the emergency brake.

Drying Wet Brakes

Slow down and press the gas pedal while keeping light pressure on the brake pedal.

High Speed Blowout

Grip the steering wheel firmly to keep the car from swerving.

Changing a Flat Tire

Always block the wheels before beginning the change.

Night Breakdown Off-Road

The car should be parked completely off the road with the parking lights on.

Shoulder Recovery

If a vehicle runs onto the shoulder, the driver should take their foot off the gas pedal gradually.

Icy Road Braking (Non-ABS)

If not equipped with ABS, the driver should pump the brake pedal lightly to stop.

Skid Recovery

Turn the steering wheel in the direction the rear end is skidding and reduce pressure on the gas pedal.

Accident Reporting

Drivers involved in an accident must make an immediate report to law enforcement and notify their insurance company.

Flashing Red Traffic Signal

Though often meant as a stop, the provided text specifies it does not mean 'slow down' or 'stop only if necessary' in the context of the options given.

Flashing Yellow Traffic Signal

Means slow down and proceed with caution.

Diamond-Shaped Sign

Used to warn of hazards, such as a deer crossing, and indicates the driver should slow down and drive with care.

Highway Work Zone Color

The main color used for signs in highway work zones is orange.

Blind Pedestrian Consideration

Special consideration is given if the pedestrian holds a white cane or has a guide dog.

Bicycle Rider Safety

Bicycle riders are likely to be seriously injured in almost any collision with a car.

Required Car Equipment (NC)

All cars are required to have license plate lights, a horn, and a muffler.

Siren Regulations

Only law enforcement and emergency vehicles may be equipped with sirens.

Exhaust System

The system that carries harmful fumes from the engine to the rear of the car; leaks can allow dangerous fumes to enter the vehicle.

Suspension System Trouble

Indicated by a car that pitches and tosses in normal driving or leans heavily in turns.

School Bus Stop (5-Lane)

If a bus stops in the far right lane, only traffic in lanes going in the same direction as the bus must stop.

Public School Bus Speed Limit

The maximum speed limit for a full-size public school bus in North Carolina is $45\text{ mph}$.

Alcohol Elimination and Judgment

Only the liver eliminates alcohol (coffee does not), and even small amounts below $0.08$ can affect judgment.

Alcohol and Medication

Combining the two can have unpredictable effects, and a driver can be prosecuted for driving under the influence of prescribed medication.

Alcohol Eye Effect

Alcohol causes the driver's eyes to stare at a specific point.

Standard Alcohol Content

A beer, a shot of whiskey, and a glass of wine all contain $0.6\text{ ounces}$ ($18\text{ ml}$) of alcohol.

Alcohol and Brain Concentration

Alcohol tends to concentrate more in the brain than other parts of the body.

Underage Drinking Conviction

A $20$-year-old driver convicted of driving after drinking alcohol receives a $1$-year revocation.

DWI While Revoked

Conviction of DWI while the license is already revoked for a prior DWI may lead to car seizure and sale or imprisonment.

Repeat DWI (3rd Conviction)

A driver convicted of a third DWI within a specific timeframe faces permanent revocation and imprisonment for $14\text{ days}$ to $24\text{ months}$.