Lane Changes, Passing,

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Lane Changes, Passing, Parking
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LANE CHANGES

• If you need to change lanes, do the following
• Signal so other drivers know what you are
  planning to do.
• Check your Mirrors inside mirror first then the
  outside mirror on the side youll be changing
  lanes.
• Look Over your shoulder in the direction youll
  be changing lanes to make sure that blind area is
  clear.
• Go if it is clear

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S.M.O.G.
S - SignalM Check your MirrorsO Look Over
your shoulderG Go if it is clear
When your lane change is complete, cancel your
signal and adjust your speed
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Tips for a Good Lane Change

• Check the blind spot.
• Find or wait for a large enough gap to move into.
• Maintain a constant speed traffic behind you
  does not want you to slow down!
• Maintain lane position while quickly looking over
  your shoulder.

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SHARED TURN LANES

• Also called the center lane.
• Used for turning LEFT from the street into a
  parking lot or business.
• Also used as a chicken lane when traffic is
  heavy. When turning left from a side street a
  driver can pull out into the center lane and wait
  for an opening to join the flow of traffic

• Always check to be sure another driver is not
  intending to enter the share lane at the same
  time.
• Stop in the shared turn lane and wait to merge
  safely with traffic

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Tips for Using Shared Turn Lanes

• Signal for 5 seconds before entering the center
  lane from the street.
• Signal when exiting the center lane into traffic.
• The law does not allow you to travel in a
  shared turn (or any turn) lane.
• You cannot use the center lane to pass other
  vehicles

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PASSING AND BEING PASSED
Why is passing permitted in the right diagram but
not in the left diagram?
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Why would you need to pass another vehicle?
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PASSING
Nationally, passing accounts for almost 20 of
all traffic fatalities!

• Why are passing maneuvers risky?
• Impatience
• Illegal actions
• Lack of knowledge about how much time and space
  is needed to complete a passing maneuver

Do you REALLY need to pass?
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PASSING
When preparing to pass, ask these questions

• What will be gained?
• Will traffic ahead present additional risks?
• Will traffic ahead be essentially the same?
• Will there be a better, safer opportunity to pass
  later?
• What are the risks?
• Is the pass legal?

Traffic is moving at 55 mph. Will it be safe to
pass the truck ahead?
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Determining Passing Time/Space Needs

• Your speed is 40 mph
• The car you want to pass is going 30 mph
• You are at your pre-pass position of 2 seconds
  behind the vehicle
• You will need 30 seconds to complete the pass

• At 50 mph you will need 16 seconds
• At 60mph you will need 19 seconds

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Determining Passing Time/Space Needs
B
A
C
If oncoming traffic is traveling at 60 mph, the
combined distance needed to pass at 60 mph is 38
seconds. Thats 3,344 feet - equaling two-thirds
of a mile!
The law requires drivers to complete the pass
within _____ feet of an on-coming driver
200
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PASSING TIME/SPACE NEEDS

• It takes even longer to pass a vehicle if you are
  going uphill
• Passing a larger vehicle takes more time as well.

B
C
A
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Idaho Passing Laws

• Passing on the right is only permitted when two
  or more lanes are traveling in the same direction
• On a two lane road, pass only to the left of the
  vehicle
• Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection
  unless indicated by signs or markings
• Do not pass within 100 feet of a railroad
  crossing, unless indicated by a traffic control
  device
• Do not pass within 100 feet of a bridge or tunnel

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Idaho Passing Laws, continued

• Passing is not permitted
• If a solid yellow line is on your side of the
  road
• When a sign indicates a no passing zone
• When a school bus is stopped to load or unload
  passengers while on a two lane road
• If the vehicle must leave the pavement or road to
  pass
• When a vehicle ahead is stopped at a marked or
  unmarked crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross
• If you must exceed the speed limit in order to
  pass
• If the pass cant be completed within 200 feet of
  an approaching vehicle

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PREPARING TO PASS

• Check front, side and rear zones
• Confirm conditions are safe to pass
• Move to lane position 2 (left side of lane)
• Check target area, blind spot and rearview mirror
• Signal 100 feet or 5 seconds before the pass

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PASSING AND LANE RETURN

• Accelerate smoothly into the next lane (Increase
  speed at least 10 mph faster than vehicle being
  passed but NOT over the posted speed limit)
• Remember that you in the oncoming traffic lane!

• Lane Return
• Return to lane when the headlights of the
  passed vehicle can be seen in your rearview
  mirror
• Signal, check blind spot
• Cancel signal

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Tips for Safe Passing

• Signal for 5 seconds before passing
• The vehicle you are passing should be 10mph or
  more under the posted speed limit
• Do not slow down during the passing maneuver
• Use smooth steering motions
• Pass where it is legal watch for No Passing
  Zones
• Do not exceed the speed limit
• Return to the lane only when you can see the
  vehicles headlights in your rearview mirror

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Parking
If you drive it you gotta park it!
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Parking Laws
Parking is not permitted

• On sidewalks
• On the street side of any parked vehicle known
  as double parking
• In intersections
• Within 50 feet of railroad tracks
• On bridges or overpasses
• In front of a driveway
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or
  traffic signal
• Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway
• On any controlled-access highway (freeway)
• Where prohibited by signs or a red, yellow, or
  white no parking curb

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Entering Angled Parking
Possibly the easiest method of parking simply
swing a little wide and use reference points to
park evenly between cars on both sides.
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Exiting Angled Parking

• Know which way you plan to drive forward once
  backed out.
• Dont turn the wheel until your front end can
  clear the blue car.
• Move slowly and look for pedestrians, especially
  small children.

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Perpendicular Forward Parking
More difficult than angled parking because your
car must turn a perfect 90 degrees and slide
between two vehicles (which arent usually as far
apart than the ones shown here). Again, swing
wide and use reference points to park evenly
between carson both sides.
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Exiting Perpendicular Forward Parking

• Watch for pedestrians, especially young children
  who may be below your rear window or trunk!
• Shift to REVERSE.
• Back out slowly.
• Crank the wheel once your front end clears the
  bumper of both cars.
• Shift to DRIVE (or 1st) and slowly drive forward.

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2
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Backing into Perpendicular Parking
ADVANTAGES

• Provides a better view when leaving the space
• Avoids backing out into traffic
• More likely to be let into the traffic flow when
  exiting
• Reduced risk of hitting something or being hit

ANY DISADVANTAGES?
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1
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Parallel Parking

• TIPS
• Select a space that is at least 6 longer than
  your vehicle.
• Flash your brake lights and signal a right turn.

• PROCEDURE
• Line up your back bumper with the (green/front)
  cars back bumper.
• When your seat is even with the (green/front)
  cars back bumper, straighten your wheels.
• When your front bumper is even with the
  (green/front) cars back bumper, turn your wheels
  sharply to the left. Back slowly, looking out
  the rear window.
• Use the steering wheel to adjust the car so it is
  parallel to and less than 18 from the curb.
• Straighten the wheels and even the spaces between
  the front and rear vehicles.

Easy!
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Exiting Parallel Parking

• TIPS
• Back up before pulling out. This increases the
  space for pulling out.
• Signal left.
• Check blind spot.
• Crank wheel to the left and then enter traffic
  slowly.

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Parking Uphill With a Curb
Crank the front wheels LEFT and let the front
right tire roll back into the curb. Then put the
car in PARK and set the emergency brake. The goal
is to always use the FRONT tires to prevent the
vehicle from rolling into traffic!
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Parking Uphill Without a Curb
Crank the front wheels RIGHT, put the car in PARK
and set the emergency brake. In this case, there
is no curb, so the car will roll off the road and
not into traffic (if for some reason it rolls).
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Parking Downhill With/Without a Curb
Crank the front wheels right, put the car in PARK
and set the emergency brake. The right front tire
will hold the car in place against the curb.
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Parking Lot Strategies

• Obey speed limits
• Follow the directions of the signs and markings
• Do not drive diagonally across parking lot lane
  markings
• Be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists,
  roller-bladers and skateboarders
• Avoid tight parking spaces
• Avoid competing for a parking space

• Pull into the space far enough that the front and
  rear of the vehicle are not in the flow of
  traffic
• Position the vehicle properly in the space
• Secure the vehicle, locking valuables in the
  trunk
• Search all directions when exiting the parking
  space
• Watch for drivers backing out

The high school parking lot may be the most
dangerous place you will drive!
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Parking Garage Strategies

• Watch for backup lights on other vehicles
• Observe and follow all signs
• Stay to the right
• Use headlights in dark garages
• Be aware of people in and around the garage

• When leaving the parking garage be aware -
  approach the vehicle with key in hand, look
  around and in the vehicle for unwanted passengers
• Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians

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Airport Parking Strategies

• Parking at most airport terminal buildings is
  usually not allowed parking is for temporary
  drop off and pick up of passengers only.
• A vehicle may be towed if the vehicle is left
  unattended at a terminal.
• Decide if you need short term, long term, or
  metered parking.
• Place the parking receipt in a secure location
  inside the vehicle.

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Handicapped Parking
The handicapped parking symbol indicates parking
spaces are reserved for a handicapped person
Vehicles displaying this symbol on their
license plate or a special card in or around the
dashboard may park in handicapped
spaces   Non-handicapped drivers are prohibited
from parking in handicapped parking areas and may
be fined (100.00) for violations   A handicapped
person may park automobiles displaying the
handicapped symbol in public parking spaces
without paying and the time is unlimited
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Summary

• Changing lanes, parking, and passing are all
  skills you will need to practice to avoid
  embarrassing situations like double parking