Vehicle Maneuvers

In this section we will learn about the following:

• Examples of vehicle maneuvers
• Executing vehicle maneuvers requires sustaining visual attention and communication while performing a series of vehicle operation and control tasks to accelerate, decelerate, steer (straight, right, and left), move forward, back, turn (left and right), perform lateral and turnabout maneuvers, stop and park.
• Why multi-task performances are more complex when executing vehicle maneuvers.
• How vehicle maneuvers are utilized to sustain visual attention and communication to other roadway users including vulnerable roadway users.
• How vehicle maneuvers are utilized to establish and manage vehicle operating space, line of sight, path of travel, lane placement, right-of- way, following interval, vehicle speed, and communication.

Vehicle Maneuvers

Vehicle maneuvers are controlled, changes in movement or direction.

Executing any Maneuver requires that a driver:

• Communicate their intentions in advance
• Confirm that the maneuver is safe
• Sustain Visual Attention while performing the Maneuver

Some Examples of Vehicle Maneuvers:

• Changing lanes
• Turning
• Parking
• Backing
• 3-point turns
• Stopping

Lane Change Procedures

A lane change is a lateral, vehicle maneuver that requires a driver to take precautionary measures to ensure everyone’s safety and to avoid traffic citations.

Before any Lane Change, a Driver Must First:

• Scan the Road and Determine if the lane change is safe
• Check all mirrors (rear view and side view)
• Check all Blind Spots

If it is determined that the lane change cannot be completed safely, then DON’T and proceed ahead until it is safe to do so.

Once the driver determines that a lane change can be completed safely, then:

• Be sure to position the vehicle in the correct lane position to maximize safety
• Use the appropriate turn signal, in advance, to communicate intentions to others
• Check blind spots (head check)
• Avoid long, blind spot checks (may result in a crash or loss of vehicle control)
• Avoid jerking the shoulders when checking blind spots (may cause a driver to drift)
• Change lanes smoothly and avoid slowing down during the procedure

Changing Lanes

Turning Procedures

Right Turns

• Make Sure that the Right Turn is NOT Prohibited
• Signal at least 100 feet in advance
• Use Lane Position 3 or if available a Right Turn Lane
• Look for Cross Traffic or Oncoming Traffic making a Left Turn
• Yield to Other Traffic and Don’t Forget Pedestrians
• Accelerate through the turn and do not cut corners or make wide turns

Executing a Right Turn

Turning Procedures

Left Turns

• Make sure that the Left Turn is NOT prohibited.
• Give a signal 100 feet in advance.
• Use Lane Position 2 or if available a Left Turn Lane.
• Yield to oncoming traffic, cross traffic and to pedestrians.
• Accelerate through the turn and avoid cutting the corner or making wide turns.

Executing a Left Turn

Turning Procedures

Two-Way Center Turning Lanes

The “Center Turn Lane” is used to make LEFT turns. And it is uber dangerous to use because it is legal for two vehicles, approaching from the opposite direction, to occupy it at the same time. Using the center turn lane requires a driver to be super alert, communicate effectively and use defensive driving techniques to safely execute a maneuver from this lane.

• Watch for pavement markings prohibiting entry (double, solid, yellow lines).
• Watch for oncoming or merging traffic intending to use the same lane.
• Signal with Time.
• Avoid entering the lane more than 100 feet before the turn.
• Use the same safety procedures for executing a lane change, before proceeding.

Center Turn Lane

Parallel Parking

Oh no!! The dreaded “Parking of the Parallel” kind! No worries tho, we got you covered.

Tips for Parallel Parking

• Scan the road for a space that is appropriate for your size vehicle
• Once you find a space that works, check your mirrors and signal your intentions
• Remember to signal ahead of time (a few cars in advance)
• If you are parking on the right side of the road, then signal right (up)
• If you are parking on the left side of the road, on a one-way street, then signal left (down)
• Slow down and approach with caution, especially in heavy traffic and inclement weather
• Lookout for pedestrians darting out from behind parked cars and for open car doors
• Stop parallel and approximately 2 feet from the car you are parking behind

Parallel Parking

• Keep your foot on the break and put your vehicle in Reverse (R)
• With your foot firmly on the brake, turn your front wheels all the way to the right
• Look over your right shoulder
• Ease your right foot off the break, do not accelerate, and begin backing
• Once your passenger window is parallel to the rear bumper of the car you are parking behind, begin to turn your steering wheel all the way to the left
• Be sure that your front-end clears the car in front of you
• And remember that there is also a car behind you (DON’T HIT IT!!)
• You should be between 6-18 inches from the curb
• Straighten your front wheels and center your car in the space
• Remember to check your mirrors and blind spots before exiting your car

Parallel Parking

Parallel Parking

Exiting a Parallel Parking Space:

• Check your Rearview Mirror & Shift into Reverse (R)
• Look Back Over Your Right Shoulder
• Back-up straight & STOP (without touching the vehicle behind)
• Turn your Wheels all the way to the Left & Shift into Drive (D)
• Signal Left & Check your Blind Spot (Left Shoulder)
• Proceed Cautiously & Make sure the Right Fender Clears the Vehicle in Front
• Turn Wheels Slowly to the Right Once Halfway out of the Parking Space

Exiting After Parallel Parking

Perpendicular Parking

This type of parking space is angled ninety degrees to the curb:

Parking

• Signal and position the vehicle 5-6 feet away from the space
• Move forward until the driver's body is aligned with the first line of the space
• Turn the wheel rapidly left or right (under control)
• Steer towards the target in center of space and straighten the wheels
• Position the front bumper 3-6 inches from the curb or end of the space

Exiting

• Place foot on brake, Signal, Shift to Reverse (R) & Look through the rear window
• Be careful with kiddos, pedestrians and other traffic
• Back until your windshield is even with the bumper of the vehicle located on the turning side and begin turning the steering wheel in the direction you want to go
• Monitor your front bumper on the opposite side of the direction you are turning
• When the front bumper clears the back of the vehicle, stop, and shift to drive

Perpendicular Parking

Straight Backing

• Make sure the vehicle is straight
• Place Left Hand at 12 o’clock Position
• Shift into Reverse (R)
• Place Right Hand Behind Passenger Seat
• Check over your Blind Spot (Left Shoulder)
• Look Back Over your Right Shoulder
• Back Slowly
• STOP or PROCEED with Caution

Straight Backing

3-Point Turn

• Is used to reverse the direction of a vehicle.
• Use forward and reverse gears alternately.
• Should be completed after 3 movements.

Narrow roads or longer vehicles may require this process to be repeated.

Three (3) Point Turn

Stopping

• Scan the Road Ahead, Behind and to the Sides
• Check your Mirrors (Before, During and After)
• Check your Blind Spots
• Maintain Vehicle Control & Balance (accelerator, brakes and steering)
• Let off the Accelerator
• Check your Rearview Mirror
• Apply Light Pressure to the Brake
• Steadily Increase Brake Pressure
• Until the Vehicle comes to a Complete Stop (tires are no longer in motion)
• You Should Feel a Slight Tug Back
• Check your Rearview Mirror
• Stop with the front bumper behind the stop line.
• If no white line is present, line up the front bumper with the stop sign
• Stop for at least 3 seconds
• The Stopping Process should be Safe, Smooth and Controlled

If you’re visibility is obstructed (tree, building, etc…), you may inch up slowly, but you must come to a complete stop again. Before proceeding, check for pedestrians, bicyclists, oncoming traffic and cross traffic.

Approaching a Stop Sign

Multi-task Performance

Multi-task performances are complicated to perform because focus and attention is shifted from the driving task to something else.

The National Safety Council reports that brain researchers have identified “reaction-time switching costs,” which is the measurable time when the brain is switching its attention and focus from one task to another. The cost of switching could be a few tenths of a second per switch. When the brain switches repeatedly between tasks, these costs add up. Even small amounts of time spent switching can lead to significant risks from delayed reaction and braking time.

For example, if a vehicle is traveling 40 mph, it goes 120 feet before stopping. This equals eight car lengths (an average car length is 15 feet). A fraction-of- a-second delay would make the car travel several additional car lengths. When a driver needs to react immediately, there is no margin for error.

Distracted Driving PSA

Communication

Effective communication allows roadway users to prepare accordingly and also increases the chances of you being seen. Drivers must make reduced risk driving decisions by anticipating and assuming that other roadway users may not see them. Vehicle maneuvers and proper use of signaling devices are used to communicate your intentions to others and grab their visual attention.

Communication Indicators

• A Vehicle’s Lane Position
• Use of Turn Signals or Hand Signals
• Use of Brake Lights
• Use of Hazard Lights
• Vehicle Speed

Anticipating potential hazards and utilizing the proper visual search techniques allows a driver to evaluate their driving environment and make the necessary adjustments to path of travel, speed and target area.

A driver must constantly scan their driving environment based on risk probability and potential consequences. There are many ways a driver can be involved in a crash. These are primarily the result of a driver's inability to control vehicle operating space, line of sight, path of travel, lane placement, right-of-way, following interval, vehicle speed and communication.