VA Driver Improvement Flashcards

Sign Types and Colors

• Red & White Signs: Indicate stop, yield, do not, and no. Examples include stop signs, yield signs, and no entry signs.
• Black & White Signs: Convey regulatory information such as speed limits and no-passing zones.
• Yellow & Black Signs: Used for warnings about road conditions, such as curves or slippery roads. School zones are indicated with a yellow-green variant.
• Green/Blue/Brown & White Signs: Green signs provide destination information, blue signs indicate motorist services, and brown signs highlight historical or cultural points of interest.
• Orange/Pink & Black Signs: Warn about construction (orange) or incidents (pink) and may accompany regulatory signs relevant to those areas.

Sign Shapes and Their Meanings

• Octagon-Shaped Sign: Always signifies a stop; drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to other vehicles and pedestrians at intersections.
• Triangular Sign: Represents yield; requires slowing down and being prepared to stop for vehicles or pedestrians.
• Rectangular Signs: Vertical rectangles convey regulatory instructions, while horizontal rectangles provide directions or information.
• Diamond-Shaped Signs: Serve as warnings for special conditions or hazards; drivers should slow down and be prepared to stop.
• Pentagon-Shaped Signs: Indicate school zones and crossings, often paired with additional signs for crosswalk locations.

Regulatory Information

• Regulatory Signs: Must be obeyed as they convey laws. The red circle with a slash signals prohibitions.

Safety Tips

• Stalling on Train Tracks: If your car stalls, exit immediately and run diagonally away from the tracks towards the oncoming train.

Parking Regulations

• White Painted Curb: Stopping allowed only for picking up or dropping off passengers.
• Yellow Painted Curb: Stop only for loading or unloading; driver must remain with the vehicle.

Emergency Vehicle Guidelines

• Parking Near Emergency Vehicles: Do not park within 500 feet of stopped fire vehicles or follow them closer than 500 feet when lights are flashing.

Signaling and Following Distance

• Turn Signaling: Signal 3-4 seconds (about 100 feet) before turning.
• Following Distance Based on Speed:
  • Under 35 mph: Maintain a 2-second gap.
  • Between 35-45 mph: Keep a 3-second gap.
  • Between 46-70 mph: Observe a 4-second gap.

Intersection Scanning

• Scan at intersections from left to right, then left again to ensure safety.

Motorcycle Safety

• Approximately 50% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve automobiles, highlighting the importance of awareness when sharing the road.

Parking Directions

• Parking Downhill: Turn front wheels to the right, regardless of curb presence.
• Parking Uphill with Curb: Turn front wheels to the left.