SECTION 6: Navigating the Roads

Beginning notes 

Signal 

• at least 100 ft before turning

• 5 secs before changing lanes on freeway

use horn:

• alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you can’t see at least 200 ft ahead

headlights 

• low beams within 500 ft of vehicle coming towards you

• low beams within 300 ft of a vehicle you are following 

• first 30 mins of sunrise and last 30 mins of sunset

• adverse weather conditions

• when you can’t see others vehicles through fog etc

• on mountain roads and tunnels 

lane markings

• single solid yellow line: center of a two way traffic road

• double solid yellow lines: do not pass over double solid lines

  • unless turning left to enter or exit driveway

  • instructed by construction or signs

  • in high occupancy vehicle carpool lane that has a left entrance 

• broken yellow lines: you may pass if next to driving lane

• single solid white line: traffic lanes going in same direction, including one way street

• double solid white line: lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use lane, like a carpool lane

  • never switch lanes until its broken white line

• broken white line: separate traffic lanes with two or more lanes going in the same direction 

• end of lane markings (large broken white lines): be prepared to exit or merge 

• yield line ( solid white line of triangles): shows approaching vehicles where to stop

choosing a lane:

• lanes are numbered from left to right, 1 being the faster

• left lane to pass or turn and right lane to enter/exit traffic from curb or shoulder 

changing lanes

• signal

• check mirrors

• check traffic behind and beside

• check blind spots

• be sure there is enough space 

types of lanes

• passing lane: left farthest lane next to divider that is used for passing

• carpool/hov lane (marked by diamond): reserved for carpool, buses, motorcycles, and low emission vehicles 

  • don’t enter or exit when double solid lines

• center left turn lane (middle lane marked by inner broken lines and outer solid line): for left lanes or u turns

  • only drive up to 200 ft in this lane

  • look for vehicles coming toward you, signal, merge into center lane completely, and turn when safe

• turnout lane: allows cars behind you to pass when driving slow

• bicycle lanes: it is illegal to be in a. bicycle lane unless you are parking, entering or exiting traffic, turning within 200 ft of an intersection 

  • buffered bike lane, bike route, bicycle boulevard, separate bikeway, shared roadway bicycle marking

turns

right turns

• you can drive into bike lane within 200 ft of the  turn 

• red turn against red light

  • you can turn unless there is no turn on red sign

• red turn against red arrow

  • you can not turn and have to wait until the light is green

• right turn at public bus transit lane

  • it is illegal to stop, drive, park in this lane but you may cross it to make a turn 

• right turn onto road with dedicated lane

  • allows right turns without stopping must abide to traffic light at its road

left turns

• enter designed left turn lane (do not cross over solid lines)  or enter two way center left turn lane within 200 ft of the turn 

• Left turn against red light

• Only when its from a one way street to another and no sign prohibits it 

U Turns 

• You can:

• Across a double yellow line

• in a residential area if no vehicles are  approaching within 200ft

• At an intersection at a green light unless a no u turn sign

• On a divided  highway if a center divider opening is provided

• You can not:

• Where no u turn sign is

• At a railroad crossing

• On a divided highway be crossing a divided section, curb, land, or two sets of double yellow lines

• Unable to see clearly for 200ft in each direction

• On a one way street

• In front of a fire station(NEVER use a fire station driveway

• In business districts

Merging and exiting  

• Highway traffic has right of way

Merging

   When entering a highway:

• Be at or near the speed of traffic

• Merge when safe and do not stop

• Leave 3 seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front

• Do not cross over solid lines

• If crossing is needed cross lanes one at a time

Exiting

   To exit a highway

• If needed to change lanes do so one ata time 

• Signal 5 second, approx 400 ft before exiting

• Do not cross over any solid lines 

Crossing or entering traffic

To merge enter or exit traffic, you need a space that is…

• Half a bock on city streets (150 ft)

• A full block on highway (300 ft)

Passing

• Ensure no oncoming vehicle/bicyclist is in your space

• Ensure a hills, curves, intersection, or road obstructions are safe (⅓ of a mile ahead)

Do not pass:

• If approaching a hill/curve cant see other traffic approaching

• Within 100 ft of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous area

• At cross roads/driveways

• Unless you have enough space to return to your lane 

How to pass…

On open highway

• Signal 

• Check blind spots over shoulder

• Drive into passing lane

• Speed up to pass vehicle

• Signal and return to original lane

Only pass on the right when…

• Open highway has 2 r more lanes going in your direction

• The driver ahead is turning left (don't pass when someone is going the same way)

• One way street

Parking 

Parking on a hill

• Downhill: turn the wheels toward the curb.

• Uphill: turn the wheels away from the curb.

• No Curb: turn the wheels toward the shoulder of the road.

Parking at colored curbs

• White: stop only long enough for pickups and dropoffs

• Green: only for certain amount of time

• Yellow: load and unload people or packages, do not stop longer than time posted

• Red: no parking

• Blue: only for disabled with special placard or license plate

Illegal parking

   Do not park vehicles…

• Where no parking sign is

• On crosswalks

• On sidewalk or blocking it, or in front of driveway

• Within 3 ft of sidewalk ramp and in front of curb for disabled persons/wheelchair users

• In cross hatched area next to disabled space

• In space for parking/fueling zero emission vehicle

• In tunnel/on bridge unless signs allow

• Within 15 ft of fire hydrant/station driveway

• Within 20 ft of unmarked crosswalk or curb extension 

• between safety zone and curb

• Double parked 

• On wrong side of street/freeway unless of emergency, law enforcement, or a stop is specified