Interacting With Other Users

1
Interacting With Other Users
2
Interacting With Other Users

• Most collisions occur when two or more objects
  try to occupy the same space at the same time.
• Drivers must identify movement that could result
  in dangerous conflicts as well as judge the risk
  of two objects closing on each other

3
Closing Probabilities/Traffic Conflicts

• Major types of crashes
• Intersection related
• More crashes than at any other location
• Rear end
• More than 2 million crashes/year (tailgating)
• Merging exiting vehicles
• Lateral movement
• Lane change
• Merging exiting vehicles
• Cyclist
• Head-on
• Run off road (over correct)
• Single car
• Run off road (too fast for conditions)

• Common Conflicts
• Oncoming vehicles
• Merging/exiting vehicles
• Cars ahead of you
• Cars behind you
• Intersecting vehicles and pedestrians

INCR 2001 Report
Breaking the Accident Chain
4
Anticipate Errors

• Vision errors
• Failure to yield right-of-way
• Improper speed adjustment
• Poor judgment of distance or space
• Inadequate or improper vehicle control
• Improper signals
• Sudden actions to avoid objects

5
Clues to Problems
Read the clues to problems. Be aware of the risk!
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Communicating

• Turn Signals
• Ky requires 100 ft before turn
• Beware of confusing signals
• Headlights
• Double the distance at which you can be seen
• Horn
• Brake Lights
• Tap lightly to signal intention to stop
• Flashers
• Parking Lights
• Use only for parking

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Intersection Adjust Speed/Placement for Visual
Search

• Step 1 (Search)
• Identify Intersection
• Identify Signs, Signals, Markings
• Check Rear Areas
• Search for Intersection Problems

• Step 2 (Evaluate)
• Scan Open Side Areas.. 1st
• Scan Closed Side Areas
• Look for Closed, Changing Frontal Areas

• Step 3 (Execute)
• Adjust Speed/Position
• Maintain Lane Position
• Stop behind Crosswalk
• or Proceed Through Open Space Area

Cover Brake!
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Intersections
Master the ability to correctly estimate the
interval needed to enter or cross a traffic flow.
1 sec, 2 sec, etc
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Intersection Safety

• What types of crashes are likely to occur while
  waiting at a red traffic signal?
• How can you protect yourself against these types
  of crashes?

• Stop before crosswalk/stop bar
• Stop so you can see rear wheels of car in front
  of you
• Be sure cross traffic is stopping before you go

10
Driving in Traffic

• Adjust speed and position
• To stay out of blind spots
• to avoid driving in a pack
• to allow time to assess, collect, and process
  traffic information
• Maintain adequate space margins
• Position your car so you can observe actions of
  drivers 4 to 5 cars ahead of you
• Increase for view obstructions
• Leave an area into which you can steer on at
  least one side of your car

11
Driving in Traffic

• Meeting other traffic
• Avoid meeting large vehicles in reduced space
• Avoid meeting other vehicles as you approach non
  motorized users or stalled vehicles
• Avoid meeting other vehicles on slippery roadways
  such as bridges, shaded areas, or curves
• Following distance
• When behind a large truck
• When approaching a railroad crossing
• In poor traction

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Mid-BlockCrossing
What signs should you be reading in this
situation?
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Blind Intersection
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The Stalled Vehicle
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Come on, Good Buddy
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Dropped Lane
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Road Curves to the Right
When inertia overcomes friction, the vehicle
fails to turn. The sharper the change in
direction(more curve) the greater the need to
reduce speed.
Whats the risk?
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Road Curves to the Left
When inertia overcomes friction, the vehicle
fails to turn. The sharper the change in
direction(more curve) the greater the need to
reduce speed.
Whats the risk?
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Passing on a Two-Lane Highway
No oncoming vehicles for 3420ft if passing a
vehicle doing 50mph!
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Non-Motorized Users

• Expect to be Challenged the Unexpected

Children in Traffic
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Expressway Driving

• Effect of high speed on braking distance
• Effect of high speed on field of vision
• Highway hypnosis
• Effect of extended high speed driving
• Presence of slower moving vehicles
• Presence of faster moving vehicles
• Entrance and exit ramps
• Vehicles on shoulder (reentering)
• Wind effect

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Type of Interchanges
Trumpet
Cloverleaf
Diamond
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Cloverleaf Interchange
No gap to enter Entering traffic not matching
speed Sudden lane change to exit Exiting vehicle
returns Sudden slowing
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Entering an Expressway
1. Directly identify gap or vehicle following
gap 2. Transfer visual to rear/side mirror 2a.
Begin accelerating to highway speed 3. Head
check of blind spot (fast glance) 3a. Check
intended path 3b. Accelerate into gap - if there
is a problem, DO NOT STOP ON RAMP, go into
emergency strip 4. Adjust speed to highway
limits establish interval
4
3
2
1
25
Selecting the Best Travel Lane
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Approaching Merge Ramps

• Be aware of approaching merge ramps.
• If possible move out of the right hand lane to
  avoid a closing conflict.
• If impossible to move left be prepared to adjust
  speed to accommodate merging vehicles

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Exiting an Expressway
Exit Ramp
2
3
Deceleration Lane
1
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Driving Through a Weave Lane
What are the risks?
Who has the right of way?
Freeway Driving
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Dealing with Large Trucks

• Weight difference
• Momentum
• Acceleration
• Deceleration
• Turns
• Visibility