See and Be Seen
You should always "see and be seen" when doing anything in the vicinity of a roadway. In addition to slowing down in poor visibility and slippery road conditions, you should also turn on your lights or tap your horn as needed to make sure others know you are there. Use your signal for all changes in direction and watch for others reacting suddenly and unexpectedly.
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Preview Road Conditions
You may at times encounter hazardous road conditions such as soft shoulders, drop-offs, bad surface conditions, or seasonal hazards like ice. Under such circumstances, constantly adjust your speed and direction in order to retain control of your vehicle.
Preview Soft Shoulders
Unpaved edges of the roadway are known as "soft shoulders." The shoulder surface may consist of sand, dirt, or loose gravel. Many roads, especially in the country, have soft shoulders. If your right wheels wander onto this kind of shoulder, they will meet more resistance and pull the vehicle to the right. If this happens, take your foot off the accelerator, firmly grip the steering wheel, and gradually pull the vehicle back onto the roadway. Most roadways will display warning signs so that you know the type of road you will soon be dealing with. However, do not rely solely on these signs. Always be aware.
Preview Drop-offs
A sudden drop at the edge of the roadway is known as a "drop-off." The road may drop off due to mountainous areas, erosion from severe weather conditions, or road construction. Drop-offs are dangerous because if you pull or stray off the road where one exists, you can lose control. When you come to a drop-off, DON'T APPLY YOUR BRAKES! If you do, the uneven traction can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Take your foot off the accelerator, grip the steering wheel firmly, and as soon as possible, steer back onto the road.
Preview Bad Pavement
Not all streets are perfectly paved. The sharp edges of potholes, broken pavement, cracks in the road, and gravel can all affect your ability to drive safely. These conditions can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. They can also result in tire blowout or damage to the vehicle's suspension. When you come to a street with bad pavement, slow down, hold the steering wheel firmly, and be ready to take action without swerving into oncoming traffic.
Preview Seasonal Hazards
Storms, rain, snow, dust, ice, sleet, hail, fog, and rush-hour traffic are seasonal hazards that also affect your driving. They all require greater attention to the environment and slower speeds, no matter what the posted speed limits may say. For instance, even if you can see 100 feet ahead, what lies 101 feet ahead may be a truck stopped dead in its tracks.
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Preview Intersections
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Intersections exist where two or more roads meet. They are often the sites of collisions, so it is important to understand what you must do at intersections.
Preview Controlled or Uncontrolled
You must signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes at a controlled or uncontrolled intersection. It is dangerous to pass another vehicle when a person may enter or cross the road. Pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles are just some of the obstacles that may block your vision in an intersection.
The basic speed limit in any given situation is one that satisfies the safety of persons and property present. At intersections, slow down and be alert for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists already in or approaching the intersection, as they will not be stopping.
Preview Stopping Limits
When approaching a Stop sign at an intersection or railroad crossing, come to a complete stop at any limit line marked on the pavement. If no limit line exists, stop before reaching any crosswalk. If no markings exist, come to a complete stop before reaching the entrance to the intersection or railroad crossing.