Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road

Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road

• Chapter objectives include maintaing a clean driving record, adhering to vehicle laws, following rules of the road, obeying traffic control devices, safely operating a vehicle and avoiding dangerous driving behaviours
• Traffic laws are designed to support safe and efficient traffic movement
• Drivers should know what is expected of them and anticipate behaviors from others
• Predictability reduces risk for all road users and traffic laws formalize this
• Traffic control laws based on the Uniform Vehicle Code apply in all states
• Laws include governing: licensing, financial responsibility, vehicle ownership, rules of the road, traffic-control devices, vehicle operation, and driver behavior and conditions
• The purpose of traffic laws is to promote the orderly flow of traffic by ensuring qualified drivers, providing rules, improving driver prediction, and guiding law enforcement
• Consequences happen when drivers are detected violating traffic laws
• Some drivers violate laws due to ignorance, self-centeredness, or the belief they won't get caught

State Laws

• State laws allow state officials to control the highway transportation system
• These laws establish procedures for driver licensing, vehicle registration, financial responsibility, and vehicle equipment standards
• States require applicants for their first license to pass a written test on traffic laws and a vision test.
• Applicants must also demonstrate basic ability to operate a motor vehicle, reaching an average driver level in approximately 5 years

License Suspension and Revocation

• The state can suspend or revoke a driver's license for driving offenses
• Suspension is a temporary removal of the license, usually for less than 1 year
• Revocation is a complete loss of driving privilege, typically requiring reapplication after at least 1 year
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a misdemeanor, possibly resulting in fines, penalties, or jail time

Auto insurance and Financial Responsibilities

• All drivers must be financially responsible with the ability to pay for damages from a crash, regardless of fault
• Failure to prove responsibility can lead to license and/or registration suspension until proof is shown
• Owners are not required to prove financial responsibility if their vehicle was driven without permission (e.g., stolen) and involved in a crash

Proof of Financial Responsibility

• Ways drivers and vehicle owners can demonstrate financial responsibility include maintaining auto insurance, depositing the required amount of money, or depositing sufficient bonds/securities

State Insurance Requirements

• Most drivers carry auto insurance, since they don't have enough money to meet the financial requirments for responsibility

Insurance for high-risk drivers

• High-risk drivers may need to file proof of future financial responsibility, like ability to pay $25,000 for 3 years
• This applies when their license is revoked or they failed to provide proof of responsibility/pay a judgment after being responsible for crash damages
• Insurance companies may reject high-risk drivers, but states offer assigned-risk insurance plans, charging higher premiums for minimum coverage

Vehicle Ownership and Registration

• Vehicle owners must hold a certificate of title and registration for their vehicles

Certificate of Title

• A certificate of motor vehicle title is required to demonstrate proof of ownership
• The state issues a certificate of title when a motor vehicle is purchased

Vehicle Registration

• All motor vehicles must be re-registered periodically with the state
• Proof of insurance is required for registration in states with mandatory liability insurance laws
• Upon registration, the owner receives license plates and a registration card

Rules of The Road

• Every state has a motor vehicle code with rules of the road effective whether signs are posted, signals, and markings

Right-of-Way

• Right-of-way laws determine who proceeds first at an intersection
• A driver can never "take" or assume right-of-way
• Right-of-way laws identify who yields to others, but drivers should not assume others will yield

Due Care

• All drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid crashing
• When two or more drivers approach a right-of-way situation, they all should be prepared to yield

Principles of Right-of-Way

• Prevents conflicts/crashes caused by failing to yield
• The right-of-way is either given or not given
• A driver must be driving lawfully to be granted the right-of-way
• All drivers have a responsibility to yield the right-of-way in order to prevent a collision
• A driver hasn't yielded the right-of-way if he or she forces other road users to change their speed, direction, and/or position
• Driver should yield, based on the rules of the road, whoever has the last clear chance to avoid a collision is obligated to do so

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

• Motor vehicle drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway within a crosswalk, when traffic signals are not in place

Entering an Unmarked or Open Intersection

• The driver of the vehicles on the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right

Lane Ends or is Obstructed

• The driver of the vehicle using the lane should yield the right-of-way to oncoming or following vehicles in the adjacent lane

Entering a Roadway from Driveways, Alleys and Parked Position

• The driver entering a road from a parked position, parking lot, shopping area, alley, or driveway should yield to motor vehicles approaching on the road to be entered and to any pedestrians on the sidewalk

Entering Intersections with Signs or Flashing Red Lights

• Drivers entering an intersection, controlled by a stop sign, yield sign, or red flashing signal light, should yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or aproaching from a cross street

Intersections with Traffic-Signal Lights

• Drivers who face a steady green signal light, with or without arrows, should yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to any pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time the signal is lighted
• Drivers who face a steady red signal light and intend to turn right, when permitted, should yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection

Freeway Merge

• The driver entering the freeway must merge safely. Drivers already on the freeway can help by adjusting speed and position

Entering and Passing Through Traffic Circles

• Driver of a vehicle entering the circle yields the right-of-way to vehicles already in the circle

Authorized Emergency Vehicles

• When an emergency vehicle approaches using its lights and siren, other drivers should drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right edge of the road

Funeral Processions

• Don't drive between moving vehicles that are part of a funeral processio
• Lead vehicle of the procession has to obey stop signs and signals when first approaching them

School Bus Rules

• Drivers are required to stop when they meet or pass a school bus loading or unloading children
• Always stop when the bus is loading or unloading children and when its red stoplights are flashing

Laws Governing Traffic-Control Devices

• Drivers need to obey all traffic control devices unless directed by someone in authority

Green Light (Traffic-Control Signals)

• Signals to drivers that, when the intersection is clear, vehicles may proceed straight through or turn right or left, unless a sign prohibits either turn
• The drivers have to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection

Steady Yellow Light (Traffic-Control Signals)

• A steady yellow light signals to drivers that movements allowed under the immediately preceding green light should be safely completed and that a red light will illuminate immediately after it

Steady Red Light (Traffic-Control Signals)

• Vehicles need to stop behind a clearly marked crosswalk or stop line on the near side of the intersection
• Stop your vehicle before entering the intersection where you have a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it

Due Care (Traffic-Control Signals)

• Drivers must always exercise due cars to avoid collisions
• Giving an audible signal when necessary and taking every precaution around children and any obviously confused, incapacitated, or impaired person

Occupant Protection

• Drivers must also ensure that all passengers have properly adjusted and fastened their safety belts
• All children are also secured in the appropriate child safety restraint and in compliance with state child-passenger safety laws

Vehicle Movements

• You should never move a vehicle from a stopped or parked position until you are certain your movement can be made with reasonable safety

Emerging From Driveway

• Right before driving onto the sidewalk area, building entrance, or other roadway to ensure the way is clear

Entering a Roadway

• Yield right-of-way to all approaching vehicles

Approaching or Entering An Intersection

• The driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right

Adhering to Speed Laws

• Speed limits are set to reflect traffic density, road conditions, sight distance, visual field, and types of vehicles
• Drivers may not drive faster than the maximum posted speed or slower than the minimum posted speed, unless conditions make it dangerous to travel at the minimum speed

Driving on the Right Side

• On all roadways of sufficient width, drive on the right half of the roadway, except when overtaking/passing another vehicle or when an obstruction makes it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway

Approaching Emergency Vehicles Stopped on the Road Side

• Safely change at least one lane to the left
• If it is unsage to change laes, slow down to the speed limit and position your vehicle to the lift side of your lane

Following Other Vehicles

• Never follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and safe, given the vehicle speed, traffic, and condition of the highway

Turning

• Signal of intention to turn or move right or left should be given continuously during at least the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning
• Right turns begin as close to the right side of the roadway as possible
• Left turns Begin a left turn as in the farthest left lane that is lawful

Stopping without Obstructing Traffic

• Don't enter intersections, marked crosswalks, or railroad grade crossings unless there is enough space for your vehicle on the other side without obstructing other vehicles, pedestrians, or railroad trains

Backing

• Don't back up until you are certain the movement can be made safely
• Vehicle must always yield the right-of-way to nearby pedestrians and drivers

Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors

• Wait to open any of your vehicle's doors until it is reasonably safe to do so ans will not interfere with the movement of other traffic

Laws Applying to Driving Behaviors

• In addition to laws governing the operation of vehicles, there are laws concerning the behavior of drivers

Reckless Driving

• Refers to improper acts such as speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way
• The driver consciously and intentionally drove in a dangerous manner, which palced other persons at increased risk of harm
• The conditions made the increase in a risk obvious and serious

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

• More than one dangerous act constitutes a charge of aggressive driving or road rage, All of the elemtns necessary for a charge of reckless driving typically present in aggressive driving and road rage offenses
• Aggressive driving is generally defined as behaviours that indicate an aggressive mindset but are not necessarily directed toward another specific driver whereas Road rage typically defined as behaviors that are directed at specific vehucles or occupants with malicious intent

Vehicular Homicide

• When a driver unlawfully and unintentionally causes the death of another person while violating a state law or municipal ordinance applying to vehicle operation
• Can be charged with homicide when the violation is determined to be the proximate cause of death

Distracted Driving

• States have passed laws prohibiting certain behaviors, like Using cell phones, having video screens, using a mobile device if they are under 18 and more

Laws Applying to Driver Conditions

• Drivers physical and mental conditions can affect his or her ability to drive safely

Consumption of Alcohol or other drugs

• Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol should not be driving and are committing at serious crime

Drowsy Driving

• Because driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol and other drugs, some states have passed laws to punish drivers who cause crashes after falling asleep behind the wheel

Methods of Law Enforcement

• Drivers who are observe violating traffic laws by police officers, state troopers, sheriff deputies, and other law enforcement personnel can be stopped

Camera Based Enforcement

• Some jurisdictions detect and sanction violators using technology to identify vehicles and drivers such as trffic speed laws being used in school and temporary work zones
• School buses may be equipped with technology designed to detect drivers who do not stop as required by law

Benefits of Maintaining a Clean Driving Record

• Employers view a applicants driving record as an extension of that persons charachter