Online Traffic School

It’s not just cars we have to worry about; we share the road with a variety of other drivers in vehicles, riders on vehicles, and people around vehicles - including children.

Let’s explore the variety of other roadway users you will encounter and how to reduce your risk while you share the road with them.

We will examine the importance of driver-to-driver communication while on the road and using the communications that the road provides to you.

Large Trucks

For some drivers, sharing the road with large trucks is intimidating. But with a little knowledge and preparation, it is possible to share the road with trucks safely. First, be aware of your location around large trucks. Large trucks have blind spots at the front, back and sides. Remember, if you can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s mirror, the truck driver can’t see you.

Trucks and buses take much longer to stop than cars. Forcing a larger vehicle to stop quickly can cause a serious, even fatal collision. After you pass a truck, you should be able to see the entire cab of the truck in your review mirror before pulling back in front. Avoid situations in which you need to brake right in front of a truck. A fully loaded 18 wheeler truck cab and trailer including cargo can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. The average weight of a car is around 3,000. Think of how long it takes you to stop. What if your vehicle weighed 27 times more? Imagine how long that would take.

Lastly, be aware of trucks making wide turns. If you try to get in between the truck and the curve, you may get caught in a squeeze and can suffer a serious collision. Please pay attention to truck signals and give them lots of room to maneuver. Always remember, if you can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s mirror, the truck driver can’t see you. The right side of the large truck is especially a bad blind spot.

Although driving around large trucks can be a bit scary, most truck drivers are well trained and conscientious professionals. Always pass them on the left, to avoid that blind spot they have on the right and try not to drive beside them for extended amounts of time. Truck drivers will tell you that many people race to get around them when their exit is near. Do not pass the truck when your exit is within ¾ mile. Because one does not see in front of the large truck, it could create a problem. What if a car is too close in front of the truck and is slowing down to get off at that specific exit? This action could create a squeeze into a small and shrinking space in front of that 80,000 lbs truck! Many truck drivers say this is a very real and common occurrence.

Driving Around Motorcycles

In the winter, few people ride motorcycles because it is too cold and they avoid the extreme danger of riding a motorcycle on icy roads. However, the first few warm spring days bring out the cabin-fever motorcyclists anxious to get back on the road. Car drivers may not be used to seeing them, and it takes a while to get used to looking for them.

Here are some helpful precautions when sharing the road with motorcyclists. When you find yourself driving around either motorcycles or scooters, there is an additional risk anytime these vehicles are nearby. It is no surprise that motorcycle riders are more like to be injured if a collision occurs. This is largely because they have fewer protective systems compared with drivers of passenger vehicles. The risk of a collision is particularly high at intersections, where crashes commonly involve the driver of a passenger vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle. Drivers of passenger vehicles can reduce the risk of colliding with motorcycles and scooters by following a few simple techniques.

First, pay special attention to where these vehicles are in traffic and where they might be even if you cannot currently see them. You need to actively look for motorcycles, as they can move faster than cars and are harder to see.

Carefully check for motorcycles when changing lanes and make absolutely sure the space is clear before you start your maneuver. Always use your blinker! Some people do not use their turn signal when they do not see another vehicle, but what about the vehicle they don’t see? Just ask a motorcycle rider this question: Has a car driver ever seemingly looked directly at you and still pulled in front of you? Almost always the answer will be “yes.” Why is that? The motorcycle is small, and the car driver is probably distracted or focused on larger vehicles. Or worse, they might be texting and not paying attention to the road.

Increase your following distance when following a motorcycle. Five or six seconds of distance is recommended and even more time when weather conditions are poor.

Driving with Bicycles

Bicycle riders are also at risk when sharing the road with passenger vehicles. They have little physical protection. Fortunately, there are also ways in which passenger vehicle drivers can reduce the risks involved in driving with bicycles on the road.

First, you must take note when cyclists are nearby. That means both expecting them and using your eyes effectively to detect them. Bicycles are smaller than motorcycles, can be harder to see, even when they are directly ahead of you. Bicyclists used to ride facing traffic. For the past several years, the law dictates they now ride with the flow of traffic. Most bicycles have small handlebars that don’t provide side mirrors. Therefore, the cyclist is at the mercy of a possible distracted, intoxicated or sleepy driver behind them. Keep in mind that bicycles are slow, small and silent.

Once you detect a cyclist nearby, it can help to recognize what type of rider is on the bicycle. If the rider is a child, they don’t have the experience an older rider would have, and may not obey all rules.

Be sure to give cyclists plenty of space. If you must pass them, pass as you would any other roadway user, giving them plenty of room. Be patient, as they might not be as fast as you. Wait for a safe opportunity to pass the cyclist.

It’s worth repeating, 80% of wrecks involve distracted drivers. As many cars pass the cyclist, most will see the cyclist and take every precaution. However, it only takes one distracted, drunk, high or sleepy driver and the cyclist has no chance. They cannot see and probably cannot hear the upcoming motorist.

Pedestrians

You are driving the speed limit through your neighborhood 20 or 25 mph. Cars are parked along the street. It is a bright sunny day. You look away for a split second and suddenly a child emerges in front of a parked car. Did you see him? If so, could you stop in time? Perhaps he is on a tricycle or maybe running from a friend playing tag or chasing a ball. A split second of not looking directly at the road or driving over the speed limit could result in every parent’s worst nightmare. How could you live with one horrific moment? Not to mention you could face possible criminal charges and/or a possible massive lawsuit.

It’s is not just neighborhoods where potential tragedies lie. Children can run out in front of parked cars anywhere. What about someone in a wheelchair? All they have to make themselves visible is a small orange pennant attached to their chair.

Also, some pedestrians maybe blind, deaf or suffer other permanent or temporary disabilities. We all must pay attention and watch out for them. Pedestrians always have the right of way.

Roundabouts are fairly new on American roads and very little education or instruction has been provided to drivers. Therefore, it is imperative that we learn how to handle them safely.

How should you use a roundabout? How should you enter it, drive in it, and exit?

The maximum speed into and inside a roundabout will probably be lower than the speed for the road you are approaching on. This means you will have to slow down as you approach.

When most drivers first encounter a roundabout, they can be intimidating, and not something to figure out “on the fly.” Once drivers have experienced a few roundabouts, most become much more comfortable driving them. Hopefully, these techniques will help you become even more comfortable. Although they may seem particularly challenging, roundabouts can be quite straightforward, and their overall benefits cannot be denied.

The entire intersection is controlled by yield signs, and you must yield the right-of-way to anyone already in the roundabout. Do not pull into the roundabout circle unless you have room to do so without affecting another driver’s speed or position. Also, be sure to watch for pedestrians that may be in the crosswalk.

When the path is clear, merge smoothly into your travel lane. Once in your lane, continue around without stopping or passing other cars until you reach your exit point. When you have reached your exit, signal your intention to alert others and yield to any pedestrians.

At some intersections, the traffic volume is so high that a roundabout will feature two lanes, and inner lane and an outer lane. These work the same way as single lane roundabouts with just a couple of differences. With a two-lane roundabout, you enter on the outer lane, then signal to enter the inner lane. As your exit approaches, you signal again, move back to outer lane and exit the roundabout.

Do you feel most people understand and practice this procedure? Even traffic rules and patterns common for years are frequently ignored.

Whether you like roundabouts or not, like in-laws, they are here to stay.

Of course, most intersections that are regulated by traffic control devices are not roundabouts. It’s very likely that you will drive through at least one intersection every time you drive. It is also highly likely that you won’t be the only road user at each intersection. You are likely to encounter both other vehicles as well as bicyclists and pedestrians.

The result is the is a much higher potential for collisions at every interaction. Unfortunately, recent research shows that this is particularly so for older drivers. Although the risk associated with intersections can’t be totally eliminated, it can be reduced by applying a few techniques.

How should you approach any intersection? The following tips will be helpful.

As you approach an intersection, scan the entire intersection and identify any areas of blocked vision and any signs, signals, or road marking. As you get closer, you will need to adjust your speed, most often by slowing down.

If you must come to a stop or slow down significantly, be sure to check if there is a vehicle following behind you. If so, it can’t hurt to tap the brakes a couple of times to help alert the driver behind you that you are decreasing your speed. The flashing lights can help alert the driver behind and help prevent a rear-end collision.

Another useful trick is to ‘cover the brake’ before you go through an intersection. This involves moving your right foot to hover just above the brake pedal. This way, if you need to brake suddenly, your foot is already positioned to apply the brakes without delay. After you are through the intersection, simply transition your foot back to the accelerator and continue on.

Lastly, intersections are also a frequent reminder that not all drivers obey traffic laws. You need to be aware that this could happen at any intersection.

The best approach is to always be ready for other drivers to take the action that puts you at the most risk, and then be prepared to respond if you need to.

If you are ready for what could go wrong, you will go a long way toward preventing a collision by having thought ahead.

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