Lesson 3.1 – Visual & Mental Attention and Communication

Module 3 of 12

Lesson 3.1 – Visual & Mental Attention and Communication

Module 3: Vehicle Movements

In this module we will cover the following:

• Visual and Mental Attention and Communication
• Reference Points
• Vehicle Balance
• Vehicle Maneuvers
• Driving Plan

Visual and Mental Attention

This is a process by which a driver scans the line of sight and path of travel for information on traffic flow and volume to identify immediate or potential hazards and risks.

Visual and Mental

Novice drivers must practice and learn the importance of directed visual and mental attention, limiting obstructions that minimize their open line of sight, scanning the road by using appropriate searching skills, targeting a line to maintain a safe path of travel and communicating with others.

Visual and Mental Attention

There are many factors that contribute to vehicle crashes…it is critical that students understand how an inadequate or improper visual search, lack of understanding of vehicle dynamics, failure to respond, failure to communicate or a delayed response to a hazard, contribute to a crash.

Visual Attention – Stage 1

Attention is distributed uniformly over the external visual scene and processing of information is performed in parallel.

Visual Attention – Stage 2

Attention is concentrated to a specific area of the visual scene (i.e. it is focused), and processing is performed in a serial fashion.

Mental Attention

Mental attention is the behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things.

Senses

Driving requires the use of our senses:

• Sight
• Hearing
• Smell
• Touch
• Taste

Kinesthesis is also a sense and it is described as the perception of body movements.

These senses support visual and mental attention by providing vital information that will help a driver make better and more informed driving decisions.

Sight

The majority of information we gather about our driving environment is done so through our eyes. Our eyes allow us to collect data about the weather conditions, road conditions, traffic, traffic flow, road signs, signals, markings and potential hazards, that once processed by the visual cortex, will help us determine an appropriate and safe course of action. Experience and practice will allow a driver to eventually process information in a way that will minimize hesitation and risk.

Our eyes can see an object in 1/350th of a second, which is pretty amazing. Once the eyes see an object, they send signals, in the way of nerve impulses, to the visual cortex, located in the back of the brain. The visual cortex then sorts all of the nerve impulses it has received to form a complete image that is then compared to the images stored in memory.

Sight (continued)

The eyes link our external environment with our internal one. A driver has to prepare the mind to see the traffic environment by having the knowledge and understanding of what needs to be seen and for the mind to tell the eyes what to visually target. Driver education and traffic safety, will help a driver to be mentally prepared to minimize distractions and see what is necessary. It takes both the eyes (visual) and the mind (mental) to “see” clearly!

Through visual interpretation and the use of the eyes, motorists can evaluate their traffic environment and recognize potential hazards and dangers.

Hearing

Hearing is the perception of sound and it is vital in helping drivers asses their driving environment and alerting them to any potential hazards or emergency situations.

Take for instance a situation where you’re traveling along a country road at night, your visibility is limited and suddenly hear a train horn….as you arrive at the crossing, you realize that there are no gates or lights, so the ability to hear and process the sound of a train sounding their horn, alerted you to the fact that you were near a train and/or possibly a train crossing.

The ability to perceive sound, might alert a driver of an approaching emergency vehicle, a siren indicating a weather emergency or maybe a vehicle sounding their horn to avoid a crash.

It will also allow a driver to hear the “thumping” of a flat tire, the beeping sound of their seatbelt indicator, tires screeching, changes in road surface and even potential mechanical failure such as the high pitch squeal or grind of brakes and rotors.

Hearing (continued)

Hearing provides vital information to the driver; therefore, it is important that any use of audio equipment or even passenger conversation be limited to low volume, in particular at railroad crossings and busy intersections. Avoid using headphones while operating a vehicle.

Hearing allows a driver to assess their driving environment, however, the inability to hear does not prohibit a person from testing to obtain a driver’s license. Persons with hearing disabilities have learned to compensate for their impairment by using the other senses.

Smell

Smell allows us to detect and recognize “something,” by means of sensitive olfactory nerves located in the nose. As we get older our ability to smell worsens, but at its best, the nose can distinguish between thousands of smells.

Our sense of smell is intimately connected to our memory. There are certain smells that are ingrained into our memory, such as the wonderful smell of freshly baked hot apple pie, buttery (movie theater) popcorn, ma’s meatloaf or the smell of dead skunk….a driver might recognize a dead skunk, solely by the looming aroma of the skunk’s distinct smell.

But seriously, the smell of warm pastries aside, the sense of smell also allows drivers to recognize potential mechanical problems, such as an engine overheating, leaking fuel, smoke, burning electric wires, brakes or rubber.

It is always best to pull safely off the roadway if you smell something unfamiliar emanating from your vehicle.

Taste

Taste is the sensation of flavor, and allows us to perceive or distinguish between substances.

A driver may use taste to mentally recognize unusual particles (not recognizable with vision) in the passenger compartment that are being omitted by the vehicle.

If this occurs, your vehicle may need to be serviced.

Touch

Touch allows us to be aware of someone or something by way of physical contact.

Touch not only allows drivers to operate a vehicle and its devices, such as the accelerator and brake pedals, the gear shift and other devices, but also provides important information that may alert a driver to hazardous road conditions or mechanical problems.

Through touch, a driver can feel vibrations on their steering wheel, alerting them to changes in road surface (smooth, rough, wet, slippery). A driver might feel vibrations from the rumble strips (bumps) on the side of the road and be alerted that they are getting too close to the edge of the road or traveling off the pavement.

The sense of touch also allows drivers to feel the vibrations of a flat tire, faulty brakes or a blowout.

Touch (continued)

Those bumps (rumble strips) that we often feel when we drift off the roadway are designed to alert drivers of their position on the road, in particular when a driver is inattentive or fatigued. Drivers can determine the condition of the road (potholes) by touch or feel. A driver may use the sense of touch to mentally recognize vehicle malfunctions, such as free-play in the steering wheel or brake pedal. These types of malfunctions require the vehicle to be serviced.

Kinesthesia

Kinesthesia involves being able to detect changes in body position and movements without relying on information from the other senses. The sense of kinesthesia allows a driver to mentally recognize loss of vehicle balance. With the driver properly seated and with feet and hands making necessary points of contact with the vehicle, a driver can sense the loss of traction and compensate with steering, accelerator, or braking inputs before losing control of the vehicle.

Field Of Vision

Field of vision encompasses the total area around you that can be seen while looking at a central point. From a stopped position, most people can see about 90-degrees to each side or a total of 180-degrees. It is within this 180-degree field of vision where critical information is collected and processed by a driver, allowing them to identify potential hazards, conflicts situations and solutions.

There are three major components of the visual system:

• Central (focal) vision
• Fringe vision
• Ambient (peripheral) vision

Central Vision

Drivers gather approximately 90% of their driving environment information through vision.

Central Vision is primarily used to read and identify distinct objects and is the basis for establishing visual attention, visual lead, visual targeting and visual searching tasks while driving. In a nutshell, it is what you see out of your front windshield when you’re looking straight ahead.

Central vision covers about 3 degrees of a person’s visual field and is primarily a conscious function. Central vision allows one to see clearly in order to recognize objects and read displays like signs, billboards and road markings. However, since it requires conscious thought, it is a relatively slow process.

Central Vision (continued)

Drivers gather approximately 90% of their driving environment information through vision.

Central vision allows you to read signs (a conscious action), while simultaneously obtaining sufficient orientation cues with peripheral vision to drive (a subconscious function).

With more driving experience, your brain will begin to direct your central vision towards the things that are relevant to the driving task. Your eyes should be constantly moving and scanning the road for hazards and potential conflicts.

Fringe Vision

Fringe Vision is a much wider conical field of vision. It is to the left and right of the Central Vision and is used to judge depth and position.

Ambient or Peripheral Vision

Ambient or Peripheral Vision is used in spatial orientation and is conical in shape around the other fields of vision. It detects color, motion and provides you with information about moving or stationary objects that may be potential threats to your safety. Peripheral vision also allows a driver to have a sense of the speed at which they are traveling.

This vision occurs outside the very center of gaze and gives a driver the ability to monitor and interpret what is happening to the sides, as well as up and down, while focusing on a specific, central vision task. It is a subconscious function, independent of central vision, whose primary role is to orient an individual in their environment.

Peripheral vision gives the driver an initial warning of a changing or closed space area, however it is negatively affected by fatigue, drugs and speed. It is important to scan the road curb-to-curb. Doing so increases a driver’s search scope making it easier to effectively evaluate their driving environment.

Employ a 360° Scan

Today’s drivers are faced with a multitude of tasks. There is so much information to ingest and process in such a short period of time, that a driver might become overwhelmed and ultimately distracted. Drivers are expected to focus on the driving task, but it is difficult to account for all potential mental and physical distractions they may face. However, drivers must always focus on the task at hand; safe vehicle operation.

Drivers must employ a 360° scan by keeping their eyes moving, searching side-to-side, front-and-back and using their mirrors to minimize the odds of being surprised by their driving environment.

Mental vision is the process of visualizing an image or action. For instance, athletes often use mental vision to accomplish their objectives…they visualize the ball going into the hole, hoop or goal. The same mental process or ability to visualize an image is necessary for drivers to be able operate their vehicle safely. Drivers can help their cause by visualizing and anticipating potential road hazards to allow sufficient time to respond with the appropriate action.

Field Of Vision Terms

• Depth Perception – The ability to perceive the relative distance of objects. Being able to quickly and accurately judge the distance of an object is a major component of safe driving.
• Visual Acuity – The ability to see things clearly both near and far away. It is engaged when the eyes focus straight ahead, allowing a person to drive, read and see details sharply.
• Near Visual Acuity – The ability to see details of near objects (within arm’s length).
• Distance Acuity – The ability to clearly see, identify and distinguish shapes and details of objects at a given distance.

Field Of Vision Terms (continued)

• Accommodation (near vision focusing) – A driver will look from the road to the dashboard and back again fairly often. This ability to change focus from far to near is called accommodation or near vision focusing.
• Visualization – The ability to form visual mental images in your mind, retain or store them for future recall or for synthesis into new mental images beyond your current or past direct experiences.
• Tracking – The ability to follow a moving object smoothly and accurately with both eyes, such as a ball in flight or moving vehicles in traffic.
• Fixation – The ability to quickly and accurately locate and inspect, with both eyes, a series of stationary objects, one after the other, such as moving from word to word while reading.

Functions of Vision While Driving

• To Acquire Visual Information
• Maintain an Open Line-of-Sight
• Develop Searching Skills (Targeting, Line-of-Sight and Path-of-Travel)
• Use Visual References
• Use Turn Points to Start the Turning Process (Forward and Rear Visual Turning Points)

Visual Searching Skills

Novice drivers must learn to use visual functions to develop proper searching skills. Inadequate or improper visual searches decrease a driver’s ability to recognize, respond or anticipate a potential hazard, which it turn increases the odds of a crash.

The ability to drive safely requires vision and perception. To be a safe driver you must be able to see clearly and effectively, while scanning your driving environment. You must be able to identify hazards in time, to react safely and accordingly.

Because so many driving decisions are based on what you see, effective visual skills are essential to the driving task.

Although a strong working field of vision is necessary for safe driving, detection, in the context of a distracting background is more relevant because of the visually cluttered driving environment.

Visual Targeting

Targeting involves a driver to “Visually Target” on a fixed object at the end and in the center of the path of travel.

How to Select a “Visual Target”

• Decide on an intended path of travel
• Aim for an object in the center of that path
• Identify the Target (this is necessary during the learning process, however, the idea is to learn to identify a target and from that, gather driving information from the target area)

Targeting will allow a driver to maintain a visual lead while the vehicle is in motion.

Targeting is utilized to sustain visual and mental attention in order to accurately identify traffic flow and potential risks.

Benefits of Targeting

• Allows a driver to visualize the space they intend to occupy
• Helps a driver learn to use a searching process
• Gets a driver to look far ahead, rather than close to vehicle
• Allows a driver to anticipate and plan ahead
• Increases steering precision and lane tracking (staying in your lane)
• Helps develop skid avoidance skills

Target Area

The target area is the driving environment to the left and right of the target. The idea tho, is to search the target area for driving information and not necessarily focus on identifying a specific target.

Targeting requires a driver to determine if a target area is open or closed; (i.e red light or green, stopped traffic or moving, curve or hillcrest, left curve or right curve), to give you a more accurate account of what to expect in the vehicle’s target area.

It is important to scan the road and look well ahead of your vehicle for potential problems. Young drivers often focus their eyes directly in front of their vehicle, rather than at a distance. Avoid looking at hood of your car and always scan the road 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle….don’t forget to glance at your mirrors for traffic behind you.

Your goal is to be able to see a hazard well in advance to allow you time to adjust your vehicle speed or change lanes to avoid a crash. Remember that road hazards such as debris (tire tread, cargo, furniture, etc…), rush hour traffic, slippery roads or unexpected detours can wreak havoc on motorists. By scanning the road ahead, drivers will be more aware of their surroundings and better prepared to adjust to any potential problems.

Target Area (continued)

Once you determine the condition (open or closed) of your target area, you should be able to assess your 12 to 15 second search range to see what zone changes may affect your target path.

After assessing your other zones, process the information you have gathered to determine the best course of action (safest or preferred lane, safe speed, etc…) to minimize risk. When you get within 4 to 6 seconds of a zone change, reevaluate it and adjust accordingly.

The process of scanning and searching from one target area to the next is repeated regularly.

Line of Sight

Line of sight is the visible path of travel from the vehicle to the target area. It is important to maintain an unrestricted line of sight as it is the basis for determining safe speed and steering adjustments. An interrupted line of sight produced by a curve, hill, tree, building, traffic, etc…will require adjustments in speed and vehicle position to re-establish a clear line of sight for the path of travel and target area.

Path of Travel

Path of travel is the sequence of positions your vehicle takes as it moves to the target area.

Ideally, a driver should maintain a position in the center of their travel lane, however a change in environment, such as a curve, hill, traffic or road debris might require and adjustment in the path of travel.

Note that hand-eye coordination also plays a major role in visual targeting. A driver’s eyes, hands and mind must work together and in sync for more consistent steering and tracking. This is similar to a child learning to play catch and being instructed to keep their eye on the ball. This concept also applies to driving…the driver must maintain an open line of sight, identify the path of travel and the target ahead of the vehicle. Remember to scan the road side-to-side.

Path of Travel (continued)

To limit deviations in a vehicle’s path of travel, it is important that a driver minimize and/or effectively manage distractions. Mental and physical distractions interfere with a driver’s ability to focus on the task at hand. For example, if a driver is distracted by a shiny billboard on the side of the road, he/she may vere towards that distraction.

Some cities limit the amount and types of billboards that can be erected near busy roadways to minimize driver distraction.

A driver must learn to adequately adjust and adapt to restrictions and conditions within their line of sight or path of travel. Know that some conditions, such as curves and hills, are out of a driver’s control, however, a driver should recognize them and be able adjust accordingly.

Vehicle Operating Space

Vehicle operating space is the area to the front, back and sides of your vehicle. It is important for drivers to manage the vehicle operating space effectively to minimize risk.

• Look for things that can be seen
• Utilize reference points
• Focus on scanning on targeting and scanning the road ahead, behind and to the sides
• Avoid focusing on a vehicle’s “Hidden Operating Space” (area around your vehicle that cannot be seen while driving)

Open Vehicle Operating Space – the operating space or area that does not contain restrictions to the line of sight or path of travel.

Closed Vehicle Operating Space – the space or area that is not available for the vehicle’s path of travel; i.e. there is a restriction to the driver’s line of sight.

Changing Vehicle Operating Space

• Contains an increasing level of risk
• Is changing to a closed line of sight, space or path of travel (contains additional conflicts or changes)

Recognizing a road hazard or conflict and determining the correct course of action, takes precious and valuable time. It is important for young drivers to stay focused and anticipate potential problems to help minimize the time that it takes to notice and react to a problem.

The ability to detect the motion and position of objects is affected by the speed and movement of a vehicle. Minor changes to car position occur in shorter time frames and may in significant or exaggerated vehicle movements (do not oversteer or overcompensate).

Benefits to Visual Adjustments

• More time to collect and process information
• Increased peripheral vision area (allows for motion detection at a greater distance which increases response time)
• A greater space cushion between vehicles to better manage unexpected and abrupt traffic conditions

Vehicle Operating Space

When a vehicle’s speed increases, a driver’s field of vision narrows. A driver’s ability to recognize objects, hazards or changes within their field of vision and peripheral vision decreases at higher speeds and may result in poor vehicle management and control (overcorrection, oversteering and/or exaggerated vehicle movements).

Drivers who crash at high speeds are also likely to suffer more severe injuries than those travelling at slower speeds. High speeds not only narrow a driver’s field of vision, but also increase the chances of a crash by removing a driver’s safety margin and enhancing driver errors, such as tailgating or driving fatigued or distracted. Higher speeds also increase a driver’s reaction time and a vehicle’s stopping distance.

Following Distance

Drivers must always be prepared to adjust their following distance according to weather, road and traffic conditions. It is important to maintain an appropriate following distance that allows a driver sufficient time to recognize and react safely to changes in traffic flow or driving environment. Keep a clear path, equal to the minimum stopping zone, for the speed being traveled.

A driver’s line of sight is increased with an increase in following distance. For instance, a driver following a delivery truck too closely, might not see a traffic light turn from green, to yellow, to red. Maintaining an appropriate following distance, would have allowed the driver to be in a better position to make the correct driving decision.

As you gain more driving experience, you’ll realize that for one reason or another, a driver might brake abruptly or stop suddenly in front of you. By applying defensive driving techniques and keeping a safe following distance, drivers allow themselves additional time to react to unexpected changes in the driving environment and minimize the chances of a rear-end collision.

Techniques for Safe Following

There are techniques and rules that drivers can utilize to reduce the risk. The “3-second following distance” rule is a technique that motorists can utilize to increase reaction time, braking distance and minimize rear-end collisions.

How does the 3-second following rule work? When the back end of the vehicle in front of you passes a “fixed” object, you start to count, “one thousand 1, one thousand 2, one thousand 3”. Once the front-end of your vehicle reaches the same “fixed” object, you should have at least 3 seconds between you and the car in front of you. If your car reaches the “fixed” object before you count to 3 seconds, then you are following the vehicle in front of you too closely.

Techniques for Safe Following (continued)

A driver should increase their following distance to 4 or 5 seconds when traveling:

• In inclement weather (slippery or icy roads)
• Behind a motorcycle, bicycle or large truck
• In reduced visibility (fog, rain or smoke)
• On a downgrade (down a hill)

Drivers should look through and ahead of the vehicle in front them. Be prepared to react and brake before the vehicle ahead does (look for brake lights or clusters of traffic).

Recommended Safe Following Intervals

2-second interval:

• Provides time to steer out of problem areas at all posted speeds (dry surface)
• Provides time to react, brake and adjust (at speeds under 35 mph)

3-second interval:

• Provides time to steer out of problem areas at all posted speeds (dry surface)
• Provides time to react, brake and adjust (at speeds up to 45 mph)

4-second interval:

• Provides time to steer out of problem areas at all posted speeds (dry surface)
• Provides time to react, brake and adjust (at speeds up to 70 mph)

It is important to note that many passenger car tires are not designed to steer out of problem areas at speeds beyond 75 mph. At speeds over 75 mph, high speed rated tires are required due to sidewall flexion and turning movements.

Identifying Other Roadway Users

Drivers must remain attentive at all times and should constantly scan the road for ALL users in the HTS. It is important to remember that vulnerable roadway users like pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles also use our roadways.

Vulnerable roadway users must also share in the responsibility to remain aware, attentive and safe by understanding the dangers they face when traveling roadways (especially at night). They should never overestimate how visible they are to motorists.

A driver’s overall level of attention or lack thereof, influences their chances of a crash. It is easy for drivers to develop a preconceived notion of their surroundings, in particular when those surroundings are familiar. Drivers should actively use visual attention and visual searching skills to identify vulnerable roadway users, as well as other motor vehicles.

Simply put, scan the road for motorists and vulnerable roadway users!

Vulnerable Roadway Users Include:

• Pedestrians/Runners
• Physically disabled persons
• Children (riding bikes or skating)
• Highway Construction and Maintenance Workers
• Utility workers
• Stranded Motorists
• Person on Horseback
• Bicyclist
• Motorcyclist
• Horse-Driven Conveyance
• Farm Equipment & Slow Moving Vehicles

Traditional Intersections

A traditional intersection is one where two or more roadway users meet and cross at a point. Motorists must always scan the intersection in all directions and yield the right-of-way when required, before proceeding.

Examples of traditional intersections include:

• Controlled intersection
• Uncontrolled intersection
• Intersecting roads with lesser or greater number of lanes
• Intersecting roads with different pavement surfaces
• T-intersections
• Intersecting public road with private road

Non-Traditional Intersections

A non-traditional intersection is an intersection that has been converted to a roundabout or a traffic circle. Roundabouts can process traffic more efficiently than traffic signals and stop signs and typically require fewer traffic lanes to accommodate the same amount of traffic. Drivers must remember to yield the right-of-way to traffic that is already in the traffic circle.

Examples of non-traditional intersections include:

• Roundabout
• Traffic circle
• U-turn
• Railroad grade-crossing
• Driveway intersecting with street

Approaching Intersections

Driving requires a great deal of attention and the ability to multitask between vehicle operation and the driving environment. Intersections are high risk areas that require motorists to be uber aware and careful. Not only does a driver have to keep track of their own vehicle, but also those approaching from the left, right, front and rear… and let’s not forget the traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, distractions, pedestrians and bicyclists… Good times!

To minimize risk, it is important for drivers to communicate their intentions to others, well in advance of their maneuver and to position their vehicle correctly within their lane in a location that has the lowest possible risk.

When driving straight, through an intersection, on a one way (3 lane road), stay in the center lane to minimize disruptions from vehicles turning right or left… unless a left or right turn from the center lane is also permitted… at which point, you’ll just have to be cautious and patient when proceeding through the intersection.

Note: When driving on a one-way, two-lane road, the left lane may also be used for left turns, unless otherwise posted or prohibited.

Stopping at an Intersection

• Always stop behind the stop line
• If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk
• If there is no crosswalk, stop behind the curb line

The stop line is a 6 inch wide, white line that stretches from the curb to the center of the street or highway. Vehicles must stop with the front bumper or front wheel behind the stop line. If there is a painted crosswalk, the vehicle must stop with the front bumper or front wheels behind the nearest crosswalk line.

On streets that have sidewalks, but no painted crosswalks, should be treated as you would any other intersection where the crosswalk is painted on the roadway.

Stops at intersections where there are no identifying pavement markings must be made with the front bumper, behind the curb line. The curb line stretches from curb to curb closest to the driver. If there are no curbs present, stop well before entering the crossroad.

Types of Intersection

• Traditional
• Non-Traditional
• T-Intersection
• Y-Intersection

Intersections can be controlled, semi-controlled or uncontrolled. It is important to effectively manage and negotiate all intersections regardless of their design.

Approach intersections with caution and awareness. Be sure to stop behind stop line, crosswalk or before entry. When prompted to by a traffic light, sign or signal and the road is clear, proceed with caution.

Approach Techniques

Identify the Intersection

• Determine the type of intersection and number of intersecting roadways
• This will help you to search and identify potential risks

Find an Open Zone

• Determine if you have an open zone for your intended path of travel
• Be prepared in advance (Right Turn, Left Turn or Proceeding Straight)
• Adjust your speed or lane position accordingly

Know Your Intended Path of Travel

• Left Turn, Right Turn or Continuing Straight through the intersection
• Knowing your intended path of travel will determine your speed & lane position

Identify Control Devices

• Traffic Lights/Signals, Stop or Yield Signs, Information Signs & Pavement Markings
• Will help with determining for proper speed adjustments

Approach Techniques (continued)

Check Rear Areas

• This will help identify if a zone is open or closed
• If the rear zone is closed, tap your brakes a few times
• The brake lights will flash and alert the driver to your rear that you are stopping

Search for Potential Problems

• Scan the intersection anything that might obstruct your line of sight (parked cars, workers, buildings, pedestrians, trees, fences, etc…)

Adjust Your Speed

• Be aware of your speed the closer you get to an intersection
• Always be prepared to stop

Adjust Your Lane Position

• Choose the proper lane position
• Keep an appropriate gap/space between you and other vehicles
• You should be able to see the back tires of the vehicle in front of you touching the ground (if you cannot, you’re too close)

Approach Techniques (continued)

Scan Open Side Areas First

• Position your vehicle in an open zone with a clear line of sight to your path of travel
• You may need to stop if you have a closed zone or line of sight restriction

Scan Closed or Changing Areas

• Identifying closed zones will help you determine your speed & lane position
• Look for vehicles crossing directly into your intended path-of travel (i.e. cars turning left, changing lanes or merging in front of you or those proceeding left or right on a crossroad)

Look for Closed or Changing Frontal Areas

• A closed front zone may be identified with the presence of a yellow or red traffic light, yield or stop sign, vehicle, pedestrian, or anything moving into your intended path of travel. If you have identified a closed zone, you will need to prepare to reduce your speed or stop.

Maintain Your Lane Position

• Your lane position will indicate your intentions to other drivers.
• Be sure to position your vehicle as far away from opposing vehicles and/or objects

Running Red Lights

A good portion of crashes and fatalities at intersections are due to motorists being inattentive, unfamiliar with the intersection or just impatient and running a red light.

To remedy the problem and discourage drivers from running red lights, many cities are installing red light cameras at intersections. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that red light camera enforcement in conjunction with public awareness can modify driving behavior and has been shown to reduce red light violations and intersection crashes. Studies have shown that photo enforcement not only reduces violations but leads to a 25 to 30 percent reduction in intersection injury crashes as well.

Red Light Cameras

The cameras only photograph a vehicle if it enters the intersection after the light has turned red. A second photograph is taken as the vehicle progresses through the intersection. Vehicles that enter an intersection on a yellow light are not photographed even if they are still in the intersection when the light changes to red. The camera photographs the vehicle from the rear, not the driver.

Citations issued with an automated red light camera are civil citations; therefore, points will not be assigned to your driver’s license nor will insurance rates be affected.

Tips to Avoid Running Red Lights

Know the difference between a “Fresh” green light and a “Stale” green light.

“Fresh” green light:
A traffic light/signal that YOU SAW change to green. You should be able to make the signal light.

“Stale” green light:
A traffic light/signal that WAS ALREADY green when you first saw it. Be prepared for the light to change to yellow then red.

Indicators that the traffic light/signal may change:

• Flashing Pedestrian Signals
• Some Pedestrian Signals have a “Seconds Countdown”
• Traffic stacked on the cross street

The timing between green, yellow and red on some traffic lights may vary depending on the time of day, i.e morning or afternoon rush hour, holiday, etc.

Safety Tips to Apply When Approaching

• Scan the road ahead, to the sides and behind your vehicle
• Check all of of your mirrors
• Check your rearview mirror for drivers who may be following you too close (tailgating)
• Tap your brakes to warn tailgaters that you may be stopping soon
• Cover the brake pedal to reduce reaction time.
• Choose a “point of no return” when approaching the intersection (the “point of no return” is the point where it is deemed impossible to stop behind the stopping line, either due to conditions, vehicle speed or where stopping would result in a crash, specifically with the vehicle behind you).

Steering and Speed Adjustments

Skilled steering and speed control allows a driver to manage space and reduce evasive actions. If in doubt, slow down to provide yourself with more time and space to make the appropriate reduced risk driving decisions.

Tips to Help Develop Steering and Speed Control

• Prepare yourself and vehicle (driver readiness and vehicle preparation tasks)
• Do not rush – perform smooth, gradual starts and stops
• Develop reference points for determining vehicle placement
• Find visual targets prior to vehicle movements
• Use Vision Control, Motion Control, Steering Control

Visually Target to the End of the Path of Travel

• Look 15, 20, or 30 seconds ahead of your vehicle (varies based on speed & field of vision)
• Be alert to changes to the line-of-sight or the path-of-travel
• Reduce speed for road hazards or a blocked line-of-sight or the path-of-travel
• Adjust speed and lane position to increase space to front, side and rear
• Prior to intersection entry, clear the left, front, and right zones or areas
• Scan the area that is easily seen first, to allow more time to examine the obstructed areas
• ALWAYS check your rearview mirror before & while applying the brake or accelerator

Tips to Help Develop Steering and Speed Control

• Prior to moving to the left or right, check all mirrors and blind spots.
• Establish a goal to maintain a 4 seconds following interval from the vehicle in front or to the rear.
• Scan the road and anticipate problems from drivers to the front and rear.
• When stopped behind a vehicle, leave enough space (at least one car length) to move around them in case of an emergency and to avoid getting pushed into their rear if you’re hit from behind.
• Be courteous.
• Share the road with others.
• Do NOT take the actions of other motorists personally.

Hand Gestures

• Be cautious when using hand gestures.
• Waving someone through an intersection may cause a crash.
• Do not rely on someone “waving you through” (only proceed when you are absolutely sure it is safe to do so).
• Never use obscene hand gestures, regardless of the actions of others. It is best to keep calm and proceed with caution.
• When thanking someone, use a thumbs up or a wave.

Facial Expressions:

• Smile and a nod.
• Avoid making “nasty faces” at others.

Eye Contact:

• Making eye contact with someone doesn’t guarantee that they see you.
• Sometimes people will look straight at you, but don’t see you (they may looking at something in your direction or be pensive).

Communication Techniques (continued)

Speed:

• The speed at which you travels clues others of your intentions.
• If you have a turn signal on and are approaching a turn too fast to execute it safely, others may assume that you are not turning.
• Inappropriate speeds increase risk for all.

Lightly Tapping Your Brakes:

• Alerts other drivers that you are slowing down.

Reverse:

• Putting your vehicle in reverse allows others to see your white reverse lights.
• Your reverse lights alert others that you are getting ready to drive in reverse.

Headlights:

• Use headlights to be seen (day and night).
• You may flash your headlights to notify another vehicle that they have their high beam headlights on.