Ontario G1/G2 Lecture Review – Traffic Signs & Rules of the Road

Traffic Signs: Shapes, Colours & Core Meanings

• Octagon (red) – STOP; you must make a full stop and proceed only when safe.
• Inverted triangle (red border, white centre) – YIELD; give the right-of-way to crossing traffic/pedestrians.
• Circle (white with red slash) – PROHIBITIVE; indicates actions that are not allowed (e.g., \text{No R}, \text{No L}, \text{No U-turn}, \text{No Trucks}).
• White rectangle – REGULATORY (speed limits, lane-use, “Keep Right Except to Pass”, “Right Lane Must Exit”).
• Yellow diamond – WARNING (curve, hill, narrow bridge, divided-highway begins/ends, hidden intersection, bump, slippery when wet, winding road, traffic signals ahead, 4-way intersection, pedestrian crosswalk, school zone, playground, animal crossing, construction ahead).
• Orange diamond – TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION; obey flag-person, reduce speed, expect workers/machinery.
• Green rectangle – DIRECTION/GUIDE (destinations, free-way exit panels, provincial park).
• Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon – SCHOOL AREA / SCHOOL CROSSWALK.
• Fluorescent yellow-green diamond with children – PLAYGROUND; “watch for children playing – no active games on roadway”.
• Red/white triangle on vehicle rear – SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE (<40\,km\,h).

Typical Symbol Alerts (selected from transcript)

• Traffic island ahead → “keep right of island”.
• Divided highway ahead – opposing directions separated by median; ends sign indicates return to two–way.
• Steep hill ahead – shift to lower gear before descent.
• Pavement ends 500\,ft ahead – anticipate loose surface.
• Lane-use arrows – “right-turn-only lane”, “all-turns permitted lane”, “no parking between arrows”.
• Flashing amber beacon over sign – advance warning of danger.
• Blue flashing beacon on vehicle → snow-removal equipment.

Vehicle Lighting Rules

• Headlamps MUST be on from \tfrac12-hour before sunset to \tfrac12-hour after sunrise AND whenever visibility < 150\,m\,(500\,ft).
• Use LOW (dim) beam when:
  • Meeting oncoming traffic within 150\,m\,(500\,ft).
  • Following another vehicle within 60\,m\,(200\,ft).
  • Driving in fog, heavy rain, snow, or when dazzled by another driver’s high-beams (look to the right edge of road, not at lights).
• Parking lights are for parking only; never drive with parking lights alone.

Hill & Curb Parking

• Down-grade (front facing downhill): turn front wheels RIGHT toward curb, set parking brake.
• Up-grade with curb: turn wheels LEFT (allow back of tyre to rest on curb), set brake.
• Up-/down-grade with no curb: turn wheels RIGHT.

Alcohol, Licensing Classes & Suspensions

• G1/G2: zero tolerance – 0.0\% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
• Fully-licensed drivers (G) – Criminal Code offence at 0.08\% BAC; roadside “warn range” 0.05\% – 0.079\% triggers administrative suspension.
• Refusing breath/blood test OR registering over limit: immediate 90\text{-day} licence suspension + vehicle impound; longer suspensions & fines on conviction.
• First Criminal conviction (impaired / >0.08) – mandatory 1\text{-year} suspension, fine, possible jail.
• Graduated licences: first alcohol violation ⇒ 30\text{-day} suspension (plus Criminal Code charges if over 0.08\%).

Demerit Point System (Graduated vs. Full Licence)

• G1 / G2: warning letter at 6 points; suspension at \ge 9 points during first 2 years (minimum 30\text{-day}).
• Full G: warning at 9 points; suspension at \ge15 points (licence reinstated with total reduced to 7).
• Major convictions (stunt > 50\,km\,h over limit, careless, etc.) may add demerits, \ fines, possible immediate suspension & vehicle impound.

Emergency Vehicles & School Buses

• Siren/flashers → pull right to curb and STOP.
• Stopping for school bus with flashing red lights: stop in both directions (unless highway has median); remain until lights off or bus moves.
• Municipal transit bus signalling to re-enter traffic: slow/stop, yield.
• Streetcar with passengers & no safety-zone: stop 2\,m\,(6\,ft) behind rearmost door; proceed only when safe.

Right-of-Way & Intersections

• Flashing red light → full STOP, proceed when safe (treat like ALL-WAY STOP).
• Flashing amber (yellow) → slow, proceed with caution.
• In-operative signals → treat as ALL-WAY STOP.
• Uncontrolled intersection: vehicle on the right goes first.
• Pedestrian still in crosswalk when lights change retains right-of-way.
• Left-turn driver waiting in intersection may complete turn after light turns red when safe.
• YIELD sign – slow/stop if needed; enter only when roadway clear.
• Private driveway → yield to all highway traffic & pedestrians before entering.

Turning & Lane Positioning

• Right turn: approach and stay in extreme right-hand lane/curb.
• Left turn from two-way road: align just right of centre-line.
• Left turn one-way ➔ one-way: from left curb lane into left curb lane.
• U-turn illegal on curve/hill where visibility < 150\,m, at railway crossing or within 30\,m, or within 150\,m of bridge/tunnel with obstructed view.
• When waiting to turn left, keep wheels straight until turn begins (prevents push-into-traffic if rear-ended).

Lane Changes & Passing

• Mirror – signal – shoulder-check (blind-spot) – change only if clear.
• Pass left of vehicle; passing on right allowed only when:
  • Vehicle ahead is turning left and you have room on a paved lane/right shoulder.
  • On multi-lane road where two or more lanes travel in same direction.
• Solid centre-line on your side – no passing.
• Broken centre-line – pass if clear.
• Keep right except to pass; commercial vehicles outside built-up areas must keep at least 60\,m (≈200\,ft) apart unless overtaking.

Speed Management

• Statutory limits (unless posted):
  • City/town/built-up area – 50\,km\,h\,(30\,mi/h).
  • Rural highway – 80\,km\,h\,(50\,mi/h).
  • Certain freeways – posted 100\,km\,h.
• Drive at a speed that lets you stop within a clear distance you can see ahead.
• 50 km/h following distance guideline ≈ three-car-lengths (use 2-second rule; double in rain, snow, at night).

Freeway (400-Series) Rules

• G1 ↑ prohibited on 400-series / >80\,km/h roads unless with licensed driving instructor.
• Enter via acceleration lane: signal, look over shoulder, accelerate to match traffic, merge smoothly – do not stop in acceleration lane.
• Exit: keep right-hand lane if sign “RIGHT LANE MUST EXIT”.

Signals – Mechanical & Hand/Arm

• Mechanical signals always preferred; use hand signals if indicators fail:
  • LEFT turn – arm straight out.
  • RIGHT turn – arm out & up (or, cyclists may extend right arm straight).
  • SLOW / STOP – arm out & down.
• Cyclists/motorcyclists have equal rights; check mirrors/blind-spots, change lane to give space when passing.

Skid & Blow-out Control

• Skid: release accelerator, steer in direction of skid, do not brake hard; resume gentle power when control regained.
• Wet/icy road – stop by pumping brakes (non-ABS) or steady pressure (ABS).
• Blow-out: grip wheel firmly, ease off accelerator, allow vehicle to slow while steering straight, move off road when safe.

Visibility Hazards

• Use low-beam and reduce speed in fog; high-beam causes glare.
• Night glare: glance to right road edge markings, never stare at oncoming lights.

Parking Restrictions & Distances

• No parking/stopping: on bridges, within intersections, on sidewalks, within 30\,m of railway crossing.
• Fire-hydrant: must park ≥ 3\,m (10 ft) away.
• Disabled truck on ≥60\,km/h highway – place flares/reflectors at 30 – 90\,m ahead & behind depending on device.

Seat-Belts & Child Restraints

• ALL occupants must be properly belted; driver responsible for passengers <16 yrs.
• Infant (<9\,kg) – rear-facing seat; Child (<18\,kg) – appropriate forward-facing; Booster until height \ge145\,cm or \ge8 yrs.

Accidents & Reporting

• Stop, render aid, exchange information, protect scene.
• MUST report to police immediately if: injury OR combined damage > \$1000 OR if driver fails to produce documents.
• Documents police may request: valid driver’s licence, vehicle permit (ownership), proof of liability insurance – produce on demand.

Licence Administration & Updates

• Change of name/address – notify Ministry within 6 days.
• Lending your licence to anyone – never permitted.
• Driving while under suspension: fines up to \$500, jail ≤6 months, additional 6-month suspension, vehicle impound.

Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) Highlights

• G1:
  • Must be accompanied by fully-licensed driver (\ge4 yrs experience, BAC < 0.05\%) in front passenger seat. • No driving midnight-5 a.m. • No 400-series highways / >80\,km/h zones unless with licensed instructor.
• G2:
  • Zero BAC, seat-belt for every passenger, limited passengers 12 a.m.–5 a.m. in first year (as per Highway Traffic Act).
  • After required waiting period, pass G1-exit (road) test to obtain G2; pass G2-exit (highway) test to obtain full G.

Miscellaneous Rules & Best Practices

• Never change lane/turn without proper signal & shoulder check.
• Pull over right & stop for police/ambulance/fire with lights & siren.
• Solid white line at intersection (stop line) – stop before line.
• Railroad crossing with active lights/gates – stop ≥5\,m from nearest rail; never shift gears on tracks.
• Hazard flares/reflectors mandatory for disabled commercial vehicle.
• Safe following space: 2 seconds in ideal, 4 seconds in rain/snow/dark.
• Maximum load/projecting objects must be marked with red flag (day) or red light (night).

These bullet-point notes capture every topic, numerical limit, prohibition, sign meaning, legal requirement, practical technique, and safety recommendation mentioned throughout the transcript. Review each heading systematically to prepare for the Ontario G1/G2 written examination and road tests.