Drivers-Manual- PDF

TURNABOUT A turnabout is a legal way to turn the vehicle around. The steps of a turnabout are as follows: Make sure your car can be seen for 500 feet in either direction. Stop just beyond a side street or driveway on the right. Check your rearview mirror to make sure no one is approaching from behi...

TURNABOUT A turnabout is a legal way to turn the vehicle around. The steps of a turnabout are as follows: Make sure your car can be seen for 500 feet in either direction. Stop just beyond a side street or driveway on the right. Check your rearview mirror to make sure no one is approaching from behind you. Signal before backing into the street. Back into the right lane, then signal before pulling back out when safe to do so. You should never make a “U” turn or a turnabout on any curve or near the top of a hill. TURNABOUT ROUNDABOUTS AND TRAFFIC CIRCLES A traffic circle is a circular one-way road at an intersection of several roads that facilitate an uninterrupted flow of traffic. In order to properly maneuver around the circle, drive slowly to the right of the circle through the intersection. Diagram Traffic Circle Warning Sign Traffic Circle A roundabout is similar to a traffic circle. However, a roundabout includes yield signs at all approaches to the intersection, and motorists actually travel around the circle until they reach their exit. A roundabout is typically bigger than a traffic circle. The following instructions should be followed when using a roundabout: • When approaching the roundabout, reduce your speed and always keep to the right of the splitter island on the approach to the roundabout. • When entering the roundabout, yield to traffic circulating from the left. Enter the roundabout when clear. • Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision. Keep to the right of the central island and travel in a counterclockwise direction. • When exiting the roundabout, indicate your exit by using the right turn signal. 11 PARKING Make sure you do not get in the way of traffic when you park on a public road. • Move as far away from traffic as possible. If there is a roadside shoulder, pull as far onto it as you can. If there is a curb, park as close to it as you can. • If you are parked parallel on the right-hand side of the street, give a left turn signal and look over your left shoulder before pulling out into traffic. If you are parked parallel on the left-hand side of a one-way street, give a right turn signal and look over your right shoulder before moving into traffic. STEPS IN PARALLEL PARKING 1 2 3 4 Stop smoothly two to three feet away from car you will be parking behind, and give your signal for the direction you will be backing Turn the steering wheel sharply right and back slowly toward the center of the car behind you. When clear of the car ahead, turn wheels sharp left, and back slowly to the car behind. Turn the wheel sharp right the and pull toward the curb in the center of the parking space. • • • Make sure your vehicle cannot move. Set your parking brake and shift to “park” (or reverse in a manual shift car). If you are parked on a hill, turn your wheels so that your vehicle will touch the curb if the vehicle begins moving. If there is no curb, turn the wheels so the vehicle will go off the road should it roll. It is safest to get out of your vehicle on the curb side. If you have to use the street side, check traffic before getting out. 12 • The law requires you to turn off the engine and remove the key when you leave a vehicle. Always lock your vehicle when leaving it, even if you are only going to be away for a short period of time. HANDICAPPED PARKING Unauthorized parking in designated handicapped parking areas is unlawful and is punishable by fine. Persons requiring or needing handicapped parking privileges should apply to the County Clerk’s Office for special decals or plates. Parking only for vehicles displaying an official permit and transporting a disabled person. SEEING WELL Most of what you do in driving is a reaction to what you see. To be a good driver, you need to see well. Seeing well means: • Knowing Where to Look • Having a Clear View • Looking ahead • Having clean windows and mirrors • Taking in the whole scene • Looking to the side • Adjusting your seat, seat belts, and mirrors • Looking behind • Checking the speedometer • Seeing well at night • Backing • Wearing corrective lenses LOOKING AHEAD In order to avoid last-second moves, a driver needs to look far enough ahead to see things early. One of the most common mistakes drivers make is looking directly in front of the vehicle instead of far enough ahead. Good drivers focus their eyes at least 10 to 15 seconds ahead. To determine how far a ten-second interval for a certain speed is, select a marker such as a sign, a bridge, or tree, and count “one-thousand one, one-thousand two,” etc. When you reach “one-thousand ten,” you have driven for 10 seconds. TAKING IN THE WHOLE SCENE Looking ahead does not mean looking at the middle of the road. It means taking in the entire scene, the sides of the road as well. “Scanning” the roadside helps you to see: • Vehicles and people that may be in the road by the time you reach them. • Signs warning of conditions ahead. • Signs giving you information about places ahead and how to reach them. Being alert and always looking far ahead reduces your chances of having a collision and increases the time you will have for decision-making and reactions. LOOKING TO THE SIDE Any time you come to a place where others may cross or enter your path, you should look to the sides to make sure it is safe to proceed. These places include intersections, crosswalks, railroad crossings, parking lots, school areas, parks, playgrounds, shopping centers, etc. INTERSECTIONS Following are some rules for any time you approach an intersection: • Look both ways. • Look to the left first, since traffic coming from the left is close to you; then look to the right. • Take one more look to the left before you pull out, just in case there is something you did not see the first time. • Do not rely on traffic signals. • At an intersection, look both ways, even if other traffic has a red light or a stop sign. Someone may disobey either 13 • • • one. Make sure you have a good view. If your view of a cross street is blocked by a building or a row of parked vehicles, edge forward slowly until you can see. If traffic in one lane is blocking your view of another lane, wait until it clears. If you try to look by placing the front of your vehicle into the other lane, you may get hit. PEDESTRIAN/CROSSWALKS Crosswalks are special areas set aside for people to cross the street. Usually they are marked with yellow or white lines and have fluorescent yellow-green warning signs. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SCHOOL CROSSING Most crosswalks are located at intersections; however, some are located in the middle of the block, especially in cities and towns. In turning a corner, watch for people who are about to cross the street you are turning into. Remember, if you have a green light, the light is also green for them. When traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Blind Pedestrian Right-of-Way Kentucky law 189.575 requires operators of a vehicle to yield the right-of-way to any blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by an assistance dog. Failure to yield the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian is a violation that could result in a fine up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250). When approaching a crosswalk, drivers should be observant for pedestrians. Drivers should pay particular attention to any pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog. Below are some suggestions for helping pedestrians who are blind: • At a stop light or sign, do not stop your vehicle more than five (5) feet from the crosswalk, unless there is an advanced stop bar (line). A blind pedestrian uses the sound of your engine as a guide, so drive up to the crosswalk to allow the person to hear you. Important: • Drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles must be extra alert to blind pedestrians, as they may be unaware of your presence due to the nearly silent nature of these vehicles. • Do not give the blind pedestrian verbal directions. The blind pedestrian listens to all traffic sounds before deciding to cross the street. • Do not wait too long for the blind pedestrian to cross the street. • If the person takes a step back and pulls in his/her cane, that is a definite sign you should go. • Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk. This forces the blind pedestrian to go around your car and into traffic outside of the crosswalk. • Do not honk your horn at a blind person. The blind person has no idea who you are honking at and may be startled by the noise. 14 Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. The law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. RAILROAD CROSSINGS Approach a railroad crossing with caution. You are far more likely to die in a collision between a motor vehicle and a train than you are in any other type of vehicular collision. The familiar round, yellow sign with the black “RR,” and/or “RR” painted on the pavement are advanced-warning signs indicating the road crosses railroad tracks ahead. The crossbuck sign at the crossing means the driver must yield to oncoming trains. At crossings marked with automatic fl asher units or automatic crossing gates, drivers must stop if the lights are fl ashing or the gates are lowered, and remain stopped until the lights stop fl ashing and the gates are raised. At crossings, which have the standard octagonal red and white stop sign, drivers must stop and proceed only when they determine no train is approaching. Look both ways as you approach a railroad crossing. You must yield the right-of-way to the train or stop if the lights are fl ashing or the gate is lowered. It is your responsibility to determine if it is safe to cross the tracks, even if the lights are not fl ashing. The signal may not be working. 15 If you do get boxed in or stalled on a crossing, abandon your car immediately and run away from the track in the direction the train is coming, in order to avoid being hit by flying debris. Once you are at a safe distance, call the 800 number posted on or near the crossbuck, or call 911, to alert the dispatcher of your stalled vehicle. Do not attempt to restart your vehicle until a dispatcher indicates it is safe and no trains are approaching. The stopping distance for an average freight train at 55 miles per hour may be a mile or more. Trains cannot stop quickly; cars can. If you are stopped at a railroad crossing where there is more than one track, do not start up as soon as the train passes. Wait until you have a clear view in both directions before you start across. A second train could be coming from the other direction. Never attempt to cross a railroad crossing until there is ample space to get completely across and off the tracks. Stopping on a railroad crossing is very dangerous. School buses and tank trucks carrying flammable liquids must stop at railroad crossings. Expect a train when approaching any railroad track. Crossing a track after the warning lights are flashing or the crossing gates are down is against the law, and you could be cited. OBSERVING TO THE REAR It is not always easy to maintain a safe distance behind your vehicle. However, checking traffic behind you several times a minute will help you gain a complete picture of the traffic situation. If someone is following too closely or coming up behind you too fast, you will have time to react accordingly. CHANGING LANES Some important things to do when you intend to change lanes are: • Make sure, by glancing in your rearview and sideview mirrors, that no one is preparing to pass you. Give a proper turn signal showing your intentions. • Glance over your shoulder to check for traffic near the left or right rear corners of your vehicle. These areas are called “blind spots” because you cannot see them through your mirrors. • • Also, glance in your left sideview mirror when you are preparing to change lanes or pull onto the roadway. This will allow you to keep an eye on traffic behind and ahead of you at the same time. Check over your left shoulder just before you change lanes. To avoid a collision on a multi-lane road, check the other lanes to see if another driver plans to move into the same spot you do. Try to avoid slowing down suddenly. If you are forced to slow quickly, check behind you to see if other drivers are following close to you. By doing this, you may prevent a rear-end collision. 16 KEEPING YOUR CAR WHERE IT CAN BE SEEN Try to keep your vehicle where it can be seen. You cannot always be sure other drivers will see you, but you can avoid putting your vehicle where they cannot see it. One common mistake is driving in another driver’s blind spot. • Try to avoid driving on either side slightly to the rear of another vehicle. Either speed up or drop back, but do not remain in another driver’s blind spot. • When passing another vehicle, pass through the other driver’s blind spot as quickly as you can. The longer you stay there, the longer you are in danger. CHECKING THE SPEEDOMETER Glance at the speedometer about once a minute to ensure you are driving at a safe and legal speed. This should become a habit. BACKING Backing requires extra caution because it is difficult to see behind your vehicle. Here are some rules you should follow whenever you have to back your vehicle. • Check behind your vehicle before you get in. Children or small objects are difficult to see from the driver’s seat. • • When backing straight to the rear or to the right, look over your right shoulder directly through the rear window. When backing to your left, look over your left shoulder. Do not depend on your mirrors. Back slowly. Your vehicle is more difficult to control when you are backing. Continue looking back until you come to a complete stop. Whenever possible, avoid backing into traffic; or, if possible, use a person outside the car to help you back. If you have passed your exit on an interstate or freeway, never back up or try to turn around. Go on to the next exit to turn off. HAVING CLEAN WINDOWS AND MIRRORS It is important that you be able to see clearly through the windows, windshield, and mirrors. • Keep the windshield clean, because bright sun or headlights on a dirty windshield decreases vision. • Keep your windshield washer container full. During winter, the windshield washer container should have sufficient windshield solvent to prevent freezing. • Smoking while driving causes film to build up on the glass inside your vehicle. Clean the inside of your windows frequently, especially if you smoke. • Remove snow, ice, or frost from all windows before you start to drive. • Do not hang anything from your rearview mirror or clutter up the windshield or rear window with decals. Besides blocking vision, they are a violation of the law. • Window tinting. Excessive dark tinting is not allowed. (See page 5.) 17 ADJUSTING YOUR SEAT, SAFETY BELTS, AND MIRRORS • • • Adjust your seat, rearview mirror, and side mirror before you start to drive. Adjust your seat so that you can see the pavement 12 to 15 feet in front of the vehicle. Your chest should be located 10 to 12 inches from the center of the steering column, and your shoulders should be no lower than the top of the steering wheel. Sliding the seat forward will raise it. Do not adjust the seat while the vehicle is in motion. If it is still too low, use a seat cushion. Do not move the seat so far forward that you cannot easily steer. Adjust your seat belt and shoulder strap so they fit snugly and properly. To guard against glare from the headlights of a vehicle behind, use a day-night mirror. Adjust it before you drive. SEEING WELL AT NIGHT • • • • • • • It is more difficult to see at night than during the day. You can see better at night by doing the following: Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles, except when fog or other inclement weather would make low beams more appropriate. Properly adjusted high beams let you see twice as far as low beams. It is very important to use them on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas, or where there may be people along the side of the road. Dim your lights whenever you come within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when you are following another vehicle within 200 feet. Slow down and use low beams in fog, snow, or heavy rain. The light from high beams will reflect back and cause glare during these conditions. If the lights of an oncoming vehicle remain on high beam, dim your lights and look toward the right side of the road. This will keep you from being blinded by the oncoming vehicle’s headlights. Do not try to “get back” at the other driver by keeping your bright lights on. If you do, both of you may be blinded. WEARING CORRECTIVE LENSES If you are restricted to wearing corrective lenses, remember the following: • Always wear your corrective lenses when you drive. If you are not wearing them and you happen to be stopped by a police officer, you may be issued a citation. • Avoid using dark glasses or tinted contact lenses at night. They cut down the light and make it more difficult to see. COMMUNICATING TO OTHER DRIVERS Collisions often happen because a driver does not see another vehicle, or when a driver does something unexpected by other drivers. It is important that drivers let others know where they are and what they plan to do. Communicating Means: • Letting others know where you are by: • Using Your Lights. • Using Your Horn. • Putting Your Vehicle Where It Can Be Seen. • Using Emergency Signals. • Letting others know what you plan to do by: • Signaling a change of direction. • Signaling when slowing or stopping. USING YOUR HEADLIGHTS Headlights help you see at night and help others see you at night and during the daytime. On rainy, snowy, or foggy days, it is sometimes difficult for other drivers to see your vehicle. On cloudy days, vehicles seem to blend into surroundings. In these conditions, even during daytime, low beam headlights make your vehicle easier to see. • Turn on your headlights at sunset. If you turn them on early, you will help other drivers see you and possibly avoid a collision. • Whenever you are driving and lights are necessary, use your headlights. Parking lights are for parking only. 17 The best rule to remember is to turn your headlights on whenever you have trouble seeing other vehicles. If you have trouble seeing them, chances are they are having trouble seeing you. USING YOUR HORN People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn may get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent a collision. Give your horn a gentle tap well in advance: • When passing another driver and it appears that he might pull in front of you. • When approaching a driver who is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you. • When coming to a place where you cannot see what is ahead (for example, a steep hill or a sharp curve). If you feel there is a real danger, sound a SHARP BLAST on your horn. USING EMERGENCY SIGNALS When your vehicle breaks down on the highway, make sure other drivers can see it. Collisions often occur because a driver does not see a stalled vehicle. If you have mechanical trouble and have to stop, follow these rules: • Pull completely off the road, to the right if possible. • If you cannot get completely off the roadway, try to stop where your vehicle can be seen from a distance. Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. • Turn on your emergency flashers to warn other drivers. If your vehicle does not have flashers, then turn signals may be used instead. • Lift the hood to show others you need assistance. • Give other drivers plenty of warning. If you have flares, put them 200 or 300 feet behind the vehicle. This allows other drivers to change lanes, if necessary. • If you do not have emergency flares, stand off the roadway and wave traffic around your vehicle. Use a white cloth flag or a piece of clothing. • Call for assistance for your stalled vehicle, if you can. SIGNALING WHEN YOU CHANGE DIRECTIONS For the benefit of other drivers, you should always signal when you change directions. This gives them time to react safely to your changes. You shall use your turn signals before you: • Parallel Park. • Make a turnabout (turnaround). • Change lanes or pass another vehicle. • Turn at an intersection. • Enter or leave a freeway or interstate highway. • Pull away from the curb. • Pull over to the side of the road. If you do not signal, other drivers will not know what you plan to do. They may start to do something that will lead to a collision. Here are some important rules about signaling direction changes: • Signal every time you change direction, even when you do not see anyone else around. The vehicle you do not see is the most dangerous. Check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder. REMEMBER YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY JUST BY TURNING ON YOUR TURN SIGNALS. 18 Right Turn • • • • • • Left Turn If you plan to turn at an intersection, signal 100 feet before the turn. If you plan to turn beyond an intersection, signal just after you pass through the intersection. If you signal earlier, another driver may think you are turning at the intersection. After you have made a turn or lane change, turn your signal off. An inappropriate turn signal is unsafe and annoying. Be cautious of improper signals by other drivers. If the driver in front of you is signaling for a turn, do not signal unless you are also going to turn there. Tap your brake to warn others that you are slowing down. Signaling a turn for someone else is confusing to others and may cause a collision. Signal only for the maneuvers you intend to make. Your car must have mechanical signals. Hand signals cannot be used. REMEMBER to watch for hand signals from farm, construction, and animal-drawn vehicles which do not have mechanical signals. SIGNALING WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNEXPECTEDLY Your brake lights let people know that you are slowing down, but they do not show how much. If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where another driver does not expect it, tap your brake pedal as a warning. ADJUSTING SPEED Posted speed limits do not tell you at what speed to drive. They only tell you what the maximum legal speed is under ideal conditions. By law, you have to go slower if conditions make the posted speed limit unsafe. Speed should be adjusted to varying road conditions and situations. Speed adjustment as it relates to the following topics is discussed below: • Kentucky speed limits. • The condition of the road. • Visibility. • Traffic conditions. KENTUCKY SPEED LIMITS When the speed limit is not posted, these are the limits on Kentucky roads. 15 MILES PER HOUR • Speed limit on off-street parking facilities. 35 MILES PER HOUR • Thirty-five (35) miles per hour in a business or residential district. 19 55 MILES PER HOUR • On all state highways except interstate highways and parkways as indicated otherwise. 65 MILES PER HOUR • On interstate highways and parkways. ADJUSTING TO ROAD CONDITIONS The only contact your vehicle has with the road is through the tires. Each of the tires has approximately six square inches of rubber on the surface of the road. The grip of the tires depends on the condition of the road and of the tires. The grip is reduced when driving on curving roads, slippery roads, and anytime the road surface is wet. CURVES Before you reach a curve, speed must be adjusted to keep the vehicle safely on the road. If the curve is sharp and you are going too fast, the tires cannot grip the road and your vehicle will skid. An advisory speed sign will give you a recommended safe speed. Reduce your speed before you enter the curve so you do not have to brake in the curve. Braking in a curve can cause a skid. SLIPPERY ROADS If the road is slippery, it will not provide the grip your tires need. You will have to drive slower than you would on a dry road. Adjust your speed under these conditions: • On wet roads, reduce speed by 5 to 10 miles per hour. • On snow, reduce speed by half. • On ice, slow down to 5 to 10 miles per hour. HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AREAS The color orange has a special meaning. It appears on signs and barricades in construction and maintenance areas as a constant warning to motorists of possible dangers. Slow down and be alert. Failing to obey all signs, signals, markings, flaggers, or other traffic-control devices, which are placed to regulate, control, and guide traffic through construction or maintenance areas, is illegal and could result in double fines if posted. Follow signs and watch for workers and equipment on the highway. CONSTRUCTION SIGNS 20