Special Driving Situations:

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Intersections, Roads, Streets and Highways

An intersection is any place where two or more roads meet or cross each other. Crashes occur most frequently at intersections, and they are considered the most dangerous places on a street or highway. More than one-third of fatal traffic crashes involving motor vehicles occur at intersections. On four-lane highways separated by a median of more than 30 feet, each crossing constitutes a separate intersection. The law requires that you slow down when you come to an intersection, even if you have the right-of-way. In intersections without traffic signs or signals, the right-of-way rules state that: the vehicle already in the intersection has the right–of–way ahead of any car that has not yet entered; when two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the car to the right has the right-of-way; a vehicle with the right-of-way may move straight ahead or, if legal and after signaling, turn right or left; and even with the right-of-way, be careful to avoid hitting other vehicles and pedestrians. When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, the right-of-way rules are not much help. Both drivers can move straight ahead or turn right. If one driver is going straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn must wait. The driver who wants to turn left must give the proper signal and wait until the turn can be made safely. Therefore, in this case, the driver who is traveling straight ahead has the right–of–way. Never change lanes while you are moving straight ahead through an intersection.

Right-of-way at intersections

When you approach an intersection with a stop sign, you must come to a complete stop and yield to the traffic on the through- street. Do not move ahead or turn until you can proceed safely. Drive with caution at intersections with traffic signals and wait until the signal permits you to turn or to move straight ahead. A traffic circle is a specially designed intersection. All cars in a traffic circle travel to the right. You drive around the circle in a counter-clockwise direction until you come to the road or street where you want to turn. You leave the traffic circle by making a right turn. If there is more than one lane in the circle, be sure you are in the outside lane before you come to the place where you intend to exit the circle. Look and signal before you turn or change lanes. Never make a right turn from an inside lane. An entire traffic circle is an intersection. Vehicles already in the circle have the right-of-way. When exiting a private driveway, stop and yield to all other vehicles and pedestrians. At unmarked intersections where it is hard to see in all directions, stop and then move forward slowly and cautiously. Interchanges

Interchanges

Many intersections may have roads crossing each other at different levels. These are interchanges and the method of turning at these specially designed intersections may vary. As you approach an interchange, slow down and give careful attention to the signs that direct you about how to make the turn.

Railroad Crossing Safety

As you approach a railroad crossing, you must: slow your speed; keep alert; and watch for the railroad crossing signal. A yellow and black "RR" sign indicates that you are approaching a railroad crossing. As you approach the tracks, look both ways and listen because you may have to stop. Trains can approach a crossing at any time. If there is a stop sign, you must come to a full stop before crossing. A railroad crossbuck sign is used at the crossing itself. A smaller sign below the crossbuck indicates if there is more than one track. Many crossings have flashing red lights or flashing red lights with gates. If the warning signal activates, you must stop before the gates lower across your side of the road. It is unlawful to move through a railroad crossing when the gates are lowered. Remember these railroad crossing rules: When flashing red lights are used with crossbuck signs at the railroad crossing, you must STOP, just as you would stop for any flashing red traffic signal. If you are waiting for a train to pass, be patient. Do not proceed to move immediately after the train has passed - there may be another train moving in the opposite direction from or following the first train. Always wait until the red lights have stopped flashing before moving ahead. Be prepared to stop for vehicles that must stop at crossings, such as school buses, motor vehicles carrying passengers for-hire or vehicles transporting explosives or hazardous materials (these vehicles are marked with placard signs). Never move onto a railroad track unless you are certain you can drive across safely. If you happen to be crossing the tracks and the warning lights begin flashing or gates start to come down, do not stop, KEEP MOVING! The warning signals will allow enough time for you to finish driving through the crossing before the train arrives. The gate on the far side of the tracks will not block you in. If you stop and try to back up, your vehicle may stall. Crossing gates will not trap you, but stopping traffic might. Be sure the traffic ahead of you will not stop and block you in on the tracks. If your vehicle is blocked in or stalls on the railroad track, make sure everyone vacates the vehicle immediately. Post a lookout in each direction of the track to see if a train is approaching. If there is no train in sight, attempt to push the vehicle clear of the tracks or to restart it (if stalled). Remember, no vehicle is worth a human life. With rail traffic increasing throughout North Carolina, it is more important than ever to practice safety at railroad crossings. Some trains require more than a mile for stopping distance. Trains cannot stop quickly, but your vehicle can.

Bicycle Lanes

When a bicycle lane or bike path travels on or adjacent to the roadway, please pay special attention to bicyclists as you approach and move through an intersection. Because bicyclists ride to the right of motor vehicle traffic, a high potential exists for a crash between the bicyclist who is moving straight ahead through the intersection and the motorist who is turning right.

City Driving

Driving in cities and towns can pose problems for some drivers. Traffic is often heavy in urban areas. Watch for approaching traffic at side streets. When driving in heavy traffic, be alert for drivers who make quick stops. To avoid a rear–end crash by another vehicle, check your rear view mirror often and stay aware of dangerous situations that might exist behind you. If you intend to make a turn and find that you are not in the proper lane, continue to the next intersection and turn there. Other rules to follow when driving in cities: Give yourself plenty of space to make decisions — leave a "margin of safety" around your vehicle. Communicate your intended movements to other drivers. Watch the road far enough ahead of you to detect possibly dangerous situations earlier and to take proper defensive actions. Avoid driving side-by-side, especially in another driver's blind spot - if you cannot see the inside rear view mirror of the car ahead, you are probably in the driver’s blind spot. Never "weave" in and out of traffic - stay in one lane if you can and plan lane changes ahead of time. Be prepared to apply the brakes. Watch for parked cars that might be pulling out and pedestrians who might dart onto the street from between parked cars. Parked cars can also block your view of intersecting traffic, driveways and alleys. On a one-way street, use the center lane(s) for through–travel and the outside lanes for turning.

Open Roads

Rural highways can be narrow two-lane roads or multi-lane highways. Driving on rural roads is often more dangerous than driving in heavy city traffic because: the road may not be as wide; the lighting is often not as good; and/or the travel speeds may be higher.

Secondary Roads

A paved secondary road is not always designed for heavy traffic or regular highway speed. Most secondary roads are built for local transportation, and not for main highways. On these roads, hills are likely to be more steep and curves are likely to be more sharp than on primary roads. Sight distances are often very short. Secondary roads cannot be traveled safely at speeds that would be proper for primary highways.

Interstate Highways:

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Interstate highways are safer roads because they have separate traffic lanes for vehicles moving in opposite directions and fewer places where traffic can enter and exit. Also, Interstates do not have railroad crossings, sharp curves, stop signs or traffic signals.

When driving on the interstate, follow these rules:

• Plan your trip in advance.
  
  
• Be sure to check the vehicle's water, oil, tires and gas before leaving on your trip.
  
  
• Decide in advance where you must enter and exit the highway.
  
  
• When entering the interstate, use the acceleration lane until your vehicle's speed matches that of the other traffic and then merge safely.
  
  
• Keep to the right, use the left lane(s) for passing.
  
  
• Do not tailgate.
  
  
• Keep a safe following distance for the speed you are traveling - one of the most frequent types of crashes on an interstate highway is the rear–end crash - use the "two second rule".
  
  
• Remember that faster speeds require greater stopping distances and times.
  
  
• Stop at indicated rest areas frequently, preferably at least once every 100 miles.
  
  
• Never stop in the travel lane.
  
  
• If a vehicle breakdown forces you to stop, move far off the road. Tie a white cloth on the radio aerial or left door handle and raise the hood. If the breakdown occurs at night, engage the vehicle's emergency flashers or parking lights. If you are a driver who spots a vehicle breakdown, immediately contact the Highway Patrol or local law enforcement.
  
  
• When leaving the highway, signal your turn well in advance, and without slowing down, enter the deceleration lane. Proceed at the posted exit speed limit.
  
  
• Keep aware of cars in the lanes next to you.

Remember these tips when you drive:

• As your speed increases, look farther ahead.
  
  
• Give particular attention to hidden intersections and driveways.
  
  
• Watch for warning signs that signal changes in the road.
  
  
• Watch for other vehicles, especially oversized and slow-moving ones.
  
  
• Maintain a safe following distance
  
  
• Use the vehicle's headlights when visibility becomes poor.
  
  
• Be especially alert to oncoming vehicles because they are only a few feet away on some two-lane, undivided highways.
  
  
• If you see a line of cars approaching, watch for drivers who might be trying to pass.
  
  
• Always have a possible "escape route" to avoid colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

If you enter an interstate headed in the wrong direction, pull over to the right shoulder of the road and stop. When the way is clear, turn around and head in the proper direction (Avoid this error by watching for DO NOT ENTER signs.)

Traffic moves much faster on the interstate than on an ordinary highway. It is dangerous to drive very far below the posted speed limit. Follow the flow of traffic if you can do so without speeding. Crashes are more likely to occur when a vehicle moves significantly slower than the flow of the traffic.

Entering and Exiting the Interstate

A dangerous error made by drivers on an interstate is to attempt to leave the highway after missing an exit. If you miss an exit, do not slow down, back up or try to turn around. Proceed to the next exit and leave the highway there instead. You can always find a service or side street to return to your intended exit. Many interstate highways have cloverleaf intersections. A cloverleaf intersection occurs where a bridge takes one road over another road and all turns are right turns.

Safe Driving Tips:

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• Plan ahead.
  
  
• Allow time for frequent rest stops.
  
  
• Stop, get out of the car and move around at least once every 100 miles.
  
  
• When you feel sleepy, stop and rest or have something to eat.
  
  
• Constantly scan the road ahead, however do not look at any one object for more than a few seconds at a time and never stare into the distance.
  
  
• Use the rear view and side mirrors frequently to reduce the chance of your vehicle being hit from the rear.
  
  
• Slow your speed any time you see a situation that might be dangerous.
  
  
• Do not impair your view through the windshield or windows (an official inspection sticker and a current city decal, used in place of a city license plate, are allowed at the lower driver’s corner of the windshield).
  
  
• Load your vehicle so that the driver’s view of the road will not be blocked.
  
  
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while driving.
  
  
• Except to make a hand signal, no driver or passenger should ever place an arm, head or foot outside a moving vehicle.

To drive safely, your vehicle must be equipped with specific items that should be in good working order.

Lights:

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Make sure all the lights on your vehicle work.

• When you engage the high–beam headlights at night, you should be able to see a person who is 200 feet away. When using the low–beam headlights, you should be able to see someone who is 75 feet away.
  
  
• When headlights are improperly adjusted, they can shine in the eyes of approaching drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Vehicle vibration can cause the headlights to become out of adjustment.
  
  
• It is a good practice to routinely check and adjust the headlights.
  
  
• Overloading the rear of your car may cause the front of your car to tilt and produce an uncomfortable and sometimes hazardous headlight glare for oncoming drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
  
  
• Taillights must be red in color and visible for at least 500 feet.
  
  
• The law requires a white light shining on the license plate to make the numbers visible for at least 50 feet.
  
  
• All motor vehicles produced since 1955 must have red or amber lights that engage when the brakes or turn signals are used - these lights may be combined with the taillights or may be separated, and they must be visible for at least 100 feet in normal daylight.
  
  
• Because hand signals are difficult to see at night, it is very important that a vehicle’s lights have clean lenses and stay in proper working order.

Mirrors:

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Check and adjust the mirrors before you begin to drive. The rear view mirror should show what is directly behind you. Adjust the side mirrors to show the scene to the left and right rear of the vehicle. The mirrors should barely reflect the side of the car.

Brakes:

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• Every motor vehicle that operates on a public roadway must be equipped with brakes to adequately control the movement of, stop and hold the vehicle.
  
  
• All vehicles should have originally equipped brakes in good working condition - having two separate means of applying the brakes.
  
  
• The brake pedal should be at least one-third of its original distance from the floor when fully depressed. If it is not, you must have the brakes checked and, if necessary, repaired.
  
  
• If the pedal gradually lowers under the pressure of your foot, you must have the hydraulic system checked.
  
  
• Brakes that squeak when you depress the brake pedal can indicate a problem - have them checked - do not risk a possible loss of the brakes.

Anti-Lock Braking System:

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Anti-lock brakes can help improve vehicle stability (Avoiding spin-outs), steerability, (Directing the vehicle where the driver wants it to go) and stopping capability (Distance needed to stop the vehicle).

With ABS, it is important to brake hard and keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while stopping. Pumping the brake pedal or releasing the steady pressure on the brake pedal will reduce the effectiveness of the ABS

Auto Theft Prevention:

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To help prevent auto theft, never leave the key in the ignition switch of an unattended vehicle. Shown below is helpful information pertaining to vehicles with steering lock devices. Be Cautious with vehicles with Steering-Lock Devices. Never turn your ignition key to the lock position while the vehicle is in motion. That will cause the steering to lock and, quite possibly, loss of control of the vehicle.

Steering Lock Operation:

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The Transmission Park System Park. Shift the transmission into the "park" position. Turn key to LOCK and remove.
The Two-Hand Button System Park. This system requires two hands. Depress button below the steering column. Turn key to LOCK and remove.
The Lever System Park. Depress lever located near the ignition. Turn key to LOCK and remove.
The One-Hand Button System Park. Depress button located near the ignition, Turn key to LOCK and remove.
The Push-In System Park. Turn key to off, push in. Turn key to LOCK and remove.
The Turn and Remove System Park. Turn key to LOCK and remove.

1992 Automobile Safety Foundation

Tires:

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Every vehicle operated on the streets and highways of North Carolina must be equipped with tires that are safe for the operation of the vehicle and do not expose the public to needless hazards. Tires are considered unsafe if they are cut, cracked or worn so as to expose the tire cord, or when they have visible tread separation, chunking or less than two thirty-seconds inch tread depth.

Tires are important for stopping your vehicle. Never drive on smooth tires or tires that have fabric showing. Tires without enough air wear out more quickly. Also, tires without enough air increase the likelihood of a blowout. Over-inflated tires reduce traction and wear heavily on the middle of the tread.

The air pressure of tires must be checked at least once every week. For safe driving and fuel economy, tires should have the right amount of air. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation. The best time to check air pressure is when the tires are cool. If you do not have an air pressure gauge, you can take your car to a nearby service station or auto center to have it checked.

Horns and Sirens:

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• Every licensed motor vehicle must be equipped with a horn in good working order.
  
  
• The horn must be loud enough to be heard for at least 200 feet, and it must not make any unreasonably loud or harsh sound.
  
  
• If the horn fails, have it repaired right away.
  
  
• The horn must be used as a reasonable warning device. You should not use the horn unnecessarily or unreasonably.

Only law enforcement and emergency vehicles may have emergency lights or sirens.

Muffler and Exhaust System:

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Every motor vehicle must have a muffler that is in good working order. The muffler filters smoke and excessive noise. One function of the exhaust system is to take harmful fumes from the engine to the rear of the vehicle to be released. Check your exhaust system often to be sure it is not leaking. A leak in the exhaust system can allow poisonous carbon monoxide gas to enter the passenger compartment of the car. Carbon monoxide poisoning often can be fatal, and even small amounts can cause you to become sleepy or unconscious and lose control of the car. For this reason, it is suggested that you keep a window open about one inch at all times.

Suspension System:

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If a vehicle sways freely, leans heavily to one side during a turn or seems to bounce continuously, there may be a problem with the suspension system. Have a mechanic inspect the suspension system, including shock absorbers, and immediately correct any defects. A faulty suspension system can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Emergency Warning Flashers:

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Most cars are equipped with an emergency warning device that flashes all four turn signal lights. These flashers can be used as a warning by any vehicle to signal other drivers of a possible danger or that a vehicle is stopped or disabled.