SECTION 7: Laws and Rules of the Road

SECTION 7: Laws and Rules of the Road

Traffic signals

Solid red light- stop, until green

Red arrow- Stop, until green

Flashing red light- stop and go when safe

Solid yellow light- caution, stop or cautious cross intersection

Yellow arrow- either stop or cautiously complete turn

flashing  yellow light- proceed with caution

Flashing yellow arrow- continue to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic

Solid green light- go

Green arrow- go in the direction arrow is pointing, a protected turn

When a traffic light is not working > stop as if the intersection is controlled by stop signs in all directions

Pedestrian Signals and Signs

Walk or walking person- you make cross street

Don't walk or raised hand- you may not cross the street

Flashing don't walk/flashing raised hand- do not star crossing street 

Numbers- count down seconds left to cross

Diagonal crossing- allow crossing the intersection ina any direction at the same time, only when the walk signal allows it

Sounds- beeping, chirping, verbal message help blind/visually impaired

Pedestrian push button- actives the walk/walking person signal

No pedestrian signals- if there are no signals, obey the vehicle traffic signals

Signs

Stop sign: make a full stop before entering the crosswalk

Red and white regulatory sign: follow the signs instructions

Wrong way sign: do not go/enter this way

Red circle with a line through it:  do not do what is shown 

Yellow and black circular sign or x shaped sign: approaching railroad crossing

• Blue and white sign to tell what to do if there is an emergency on/near the tracks

5 sided sign: near a school, drive slowly

Diamond shaped sign: warns of specific road conditions and dangers ahead

White rectangular sign: communicates many important rules you must obey

Warning signs: warns of conditions related to pedestrians, bicyclists, schools, playgrounds, school buses, and school passenger loading zones

Right of way rules

Intersections

• w/o stop/yield signs: vehicle that arrives first has right of way

• If arrived at same time, give right of way to the other on your right

• With stop sign on all 4 corners: stop and then proceed

• T intersection w/ stop/yield sign: other on the through road (continuing to go straight) have right of way 

• Turning left: right of way to pedestrian or approaching vehicle close enough to be dangerous

• Turning right: check for pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycles next to you

• Green traffic signal light: proceed with caution, pedestrians have right of way

• Entering traffic: proceed with caution and yield to traffic already occupying the lanes

• Illegal to stop/block intersection here there is not enough space to completely cross before the traffic signal light turns red

• Blind intersections: no stop signs on any corner

• Speed limit is 15 mph

Roundabouts

• Slow down as approaching, yield to traffic already inside, enter when big enough gap

• Do not stop or pass

Pedestrian

• Always yield to pedestrians

• When another vehicle is stopped at crosswalk do not pass, pedestrian may be walking

Crosswalks

• Pedestrians have right of way on marked and unmarked crosswalks

• Blind pedestrians always have right of way

• Do not stop in middle of crosswalk

• Do not honk at blind person

• When they pul their cane and step away from intersection > you can go

Mountain Road

• If neither vehicle can pass, the one facing uphill has right of way and the one facing downhill should back up until the vehicle going uphill can pass

Sharing the Road

Blind spots

• Large vehicles and truck drives have large blind spots (no zones)

• If you cant see the trucks side mirror, the truck driver can't see you

Braking

• Avg vehicle at 55 mph can stop within 300 ft 

• A large vehicle at the same sped can take up to 400 feet to stop

• The larger the vehicle and faster it is moving the longer it takes to safely stop

• Do not move in front of a large vehicle and suddenly stop

Turning

• When a vehicle turns, the rear wheels follow  a shorter path than the front wheels

• The longer the vehicle the greater the difference in the length of the turn > trucks turn wider 

Maneuvering 

When driving near large vehicles and trucks do not…

• Change lanes right in front of them to reach an exit/turn

• Drive next to them longer than needed, always pass on the left side

• Follow too closely

• Underestimate their size and speed

Buses, Streetcars, Trolleys

• Safety zones: spaces set aside for pedestrians waiting for buses and cars, do not drive through them

• Marked by raised button/markers on a road 

• When a buss or car is stopped at a safety zone or traffic light you cnat pass at no more than 10 mph

• Do not overtake and pass a light rail vehicle or car on the left side, whether it is moving or standing 

• Unless tracks are so close to the right that the passenger vehicle cant pass on the right, you are on a one way street

• A traffic officer directs you to pass on the left

Motorcycles

• Allow 3 second following distance 

• Give them the full lane, lane splitting

• Never  try to to pass them in the same lane

Emergency Vehicles

• Right of way

• Against law to follow within 300 feet

Slow moving vehicles

• Some have an orange and red triangle on their back, also travel at 25 mph or less

• Road maintenance, scooters, neighborhood electric vehicles, golf carts

• Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and Low-speed Vehicles (LSV)

• Max speed of 25 mph

• Restricted from roads with 35+ speed limit

Bicycle

• To pass allow at least 3 feet between you and bicyclist

• Enter a bike lane no more than 200 feet before starting a turn.

Around Children

• Speed limit is 25 mph within 500 ft of a school while children are outside

• When school bus flashes red lights you must stop 

Alleys: road no wider than 25 ft 

• Speed limit is 15 mph

Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks

• Speed limit 15 mph within 100 ft and you cant see tracks for 400 ft in both directions

• If controlled by gates, warning signal or flagman, you may drive faster

Business or Residential Districts

• speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.

Other

No…

• smoking with minors in car

• Dumping  animals on highway

• Driving an uncontrolled overload vehicles

• Driving an unsecured load

• Carrying anything on vehicle that extend beyond the feders on the left side or more htna 6 inch beyond fenders on right side

• If extend 4+ ft > must display 12 in red fluorescent orange square flage

• At night, this cargo must be marked with two red lights.

• Allowing a person to rie in back of pickup truck unless there are seatbelts

• Transporting animals in the back of pickup truck unless properly secured

• Driving a behicle equipped with video monitor visible to driver 

• Throwing a cigarette, cigar, or etc from vehicle

• Putting signs or other objects on front windshield or side rear windows that block your view

• Interfering with a funeral procession

• Operating a vehicle with illegible license plate

• Altering a license plate  

Points on Drivers Record

License can be suspense if diver record’s shows

• 4 points in 12 months

• 6 points in 24 months

• 8 points in 36 months

As a minor, DMV may take action against your license if you have:

• One at fault collision or traffic violation conviction

• Two at fault collisions, two traffic violation convictions, or one of each: 

• You cannot drive for 30 days unless a licensed adult, at least 25 years old, rides with you.

• Three at fault collisions, three traffic violation convictions, or a combination

•  Your driving privilege will be suspended for six months. You will be on probation for one year.

• Any higher than this your license will be suspended again.