Urban Traffic

• Traffic is more dense• City traffic hazards are

closer• Use IPDE Process

Following others

• 3-4 second rule• Pick fixed object and count

to see if your spacing is enough

Sudden stops

• Watch for areas of sudden stops– Buses– intersections,– Business drives– Parked cars

Tailgater

• If being tailgated– Increase following distance– Move slightly to right ( car

can see around you)– Signal early, tap brakes

Oncoming traffic

• Reasons for crossing center line:– Driver impairment– Poor judgment– Poor visibility– Reduced space– Sudden moves by others– Vehicle failure– Turning buses and trucks– Double parked vehicles

• Avoid conflict– Slow– Turn on or flash lights/horn– Move to right zone

Managing urban traffic

• Look at least 1 block ahead• Predict lights

– Never speed up to make a light

• Covering brake– Foot off accel and hold over

brake– DO not Ride the brake

• Brakes will heat up and wear faster

Driving with traffic

• Blend with traffic– Drive with the flow– Within speed limit– Adjust speed and position early

• Lane selection– Left is faster

• Passing– Signal– Head check– Change with out slowing– Illegal to pass in intersections

Special Traffic lanes

• Express lanes- City driving allows for traffic to flow in one direction with minimum exit and entrance ramps

• Tolls- For I-pass users with a transponder for tolls

One way streets

• Fewer conflicts• Avoid lanes next to parked

cars• May make left turns on to

one way streets

One way

• Wrong way drivers:– Slow, steer right, sound horn,

flash headlights• Parked cars:

– Alert of doors, cars leaving a parking spot

– Alert for pedestrians