Intersections, Roundabouts, Lanes and U-Turns Flashcards
This deck covers concepts around intersection, roundabouts, lane, and U-turn rules and regulations.
Would the intersection shown in this image be considered a “blind intersection”?
Yes, this is a blind intersection.
It does not have any stop signs at any corners.
What do solid lines and broken white lines on the roads indicate?
The solid white lines on the road are meant to separate lanes in the same direction. One cannot cross a solid white line.
A vehicle can cautiously cross the lane through a broken white line by making sure there is no oncoming traffic.
What is indicated by the white triangles in this image?
you should yield to the traffic and pedestrians
The line of solid white triangles on the road are called yield lines. They indicate that the driver must give way to the traffic and pedestrians.
What do the diagonal markings on the road indicate?
lane reserved for bikes
The lane with diagonal markings or chevrons is a buffered bike lane reserved for bikes. The markings are meant to separate it from the adjacent traffic.
When can a motorist take a U-turn across two sets of solid double yellow lines?
You cannot take a left turn or U-turn.
Two sets of solid yellow lines indicate a solid wall. Under no circumstances should you drive over these lines.
How should you travel in a roundabout?
in a counter-clockwise direction
A roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a counter-clockwise direction.
What do two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced 2 feet or more apart indicate?
They indicate barriers.
Do not drive on or over these lines, make a left turn or a U-turn across it, except at designated openings.
True or False:
Hybrid vehicles, buses, carpools, and vehicles with decals are exempt from all toll charges on HOT lanes.
FALSE
Only low emission, zero emission, and/or hybrid vehicles are exempt from all toll charges on high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
What does it mean when the solid white line demarcating a bike lane turns into a dashed line?
intersection ahead
Bike lanes are typically defined by a solid white line that turns into a dashed line near an intersection.
What do the white markings on the intersection as shown in this image mean?
pedestrian phases
Also called pedestrian scrambles, pedestrian phases are a series of crisscross, diagonal crosswalks that allow pedestrians to cross in any direction at the same time, including diagonally across the intersection.
Define a ‘U-turn’.
A U-turn is turning your vehicle around in the street to go back the way you came.
How do you make a U-turn?
To make a U-turn,
- start the turn from the far left lane on your side.
- give a left turn signal.
- stop and check for oncoming traffic including bicyclists and pedestrians.
- make the U-turn in the right lane in the opposite direction.
When can you make a U-turn in a residential district?
You can take a U-turn in a residential area:
- If no vehicles are approaching you within 200 feet.
- Whenever a traffic sign, light, or traffic signal light protects you from approaching vehicles.
When should you never make a U-turn?
Never make a U-turn:
- where a “No U-turn” sign is posted.
- at or on a railroad crossing.
- in front of a fire station or business district.
- where you can’t see 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog, etc.
What areas classify as ‘Business Districts’ where a U-turn is illegal?
They following areas are clasified as business districts where a U-turn is illegal:
- Churches
- Apartments
- Multifamily housing units
- Public buildings (except schools)
What is a roundabout?
A roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a counter-clockwise direction.
How do you safely enter a roundabout?
To enter a roundabout safely:
- slow down as you approach the roundabout.
- yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway.
- watch for signs and/or pavement markings to avoid penalties or accidents.
- enter the roundabout.
When is an intersection considered “blind”?
An intersection is considered “blind”:
- if there are no stop signs at any corner
- you cannot see for 100 feet in either direction during the last 100 feet before crossing.
How do you approach an intersection?
- Look out for pedestrians or bicyclists before you make a turn.
- Always come to a complete stop before making a right turn on red.
- Stop for people in crosswalks. Every intersection is a crosswalk, even if it’s unmarked.
- If another car is stopped at a crosswalk, you should stop, too. There may be someone crossing that you can’t see.
What should you do at an intersection where traffic is not controlled by traffic signal lights?
yield the right of way
Even if the traffic is not controlled by traffic signal lights, you are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians within any crosswalk, marked or unmarked.
What are the various types of ‘intersection’?
Cross streets, side streets, alleys, and freeway entrances are types of intersection.
Any location where vehicles traveling on different highways or roads join each other is an intersection.
How do you avoid motorist blind spots?
To avoid motorist blind spots:
- Keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle.
- Watch the direction the car is taking. Do not overspeed or overtake.
- Take the turn or go your way after the vehicle ahead of you takes the turn
Which colored section indicates the blind spots of the vehicle in the image?
the yellow section
Blind spots are the areas of the road that is not visible while looking forward or through the rear-view or side mirrors, given the side mirrors are properly adjusted.
How can a vehicle turn at a “T” intersection from a one-way street into a two-way street as shown in the image?
The vehicle can only take a left turn into the two-way street.
Keep in mind that through traffic has the right-of-way.
When is it illegal to take a U-turn at an intersection on a green light or a green arrow?
when a “No U-turn” sign is posted
Which types of vehicles won’t you hear while approaching an intersection?
Hybrid vehicles and Electric vehicles
What should the blue car do in the image below?
STOP
The pedestrian is about to cross the street. The car must stop before the stop line and wait till there are no more pedestrians crossing the way.
Which side of a one-way street must bicyclists use?
near to the right curb or edge of a one-way street
Why must you stop your vehicle within 5 feet of a crosswalk?
Stop within 5 feet of a crosswalk because:
- Blind pedestrians rely on the sound of your vehicle to become aware of your vehicle’s presence.
- They listen to all traffic sounds before deciding to cross the street.
Why shouldn’t you stop your vehicle in the middle of a crosswalk when a blind pedestrian is about to cross the road?
Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk because:
- This forces the blind pedestrian to go around your vehicle and potentially bump into your vehicle.
- They can come in the way of oncoming traffic and cause an accident.
Why should you avoid being in another driver’s blind spot?
Avoid being in another vehicle’s blind spot because:
- Other drivers may not see your vehicle.
- They could change lanes and hit you which could cause an accident.
Why must you stop before a stop line on a road junction or a pedestrian crossing?
to yield to pedestrians and to safeguard their safety
If there is a stop line before the crosswalk, or on a road junction or crossing, the stop line must be obeyed to yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
What should you do when you approach an intersection with a through road without stop signs or yield signs?
Yield to pedestrians, vehicles, and bicycles on the through road. They have the right-of-way.
From which side should you enter the central island of a roundabout?
You should enter to the right of the central island and yield to the traffic already in the circle.
True or False:
In California, you can cross double parallel solid yellow lines, but it is illegal to cross double parallel white lines.
FALSE
California law makes it a crime for a motorist to cross double parallel solid yellow or white lines and double parallel lines one of which is broken.
What is the first rule of a safe and legal turn?
The first rule for a safe and legal turn is to move into the proper lane well before the turn.
What is the best thing to do when you are approaching a green light and traffic is blocking the intersection?
Don’t enter the intersection until you can get completely across.
If you block the intersection, you can be cited.
Fill in the blank.
In an intersection with a stop sign, if a limit line or crosswalk is not painted on the street, stop before _____________.
entering the intersection
In an intersection with a stop sign, if a limit line or crosswalk is not painted on the street, stop before entering the intersection.
In California, when can drive to the left of two solid yellow lines?
You can drive to the left of two solid yellow lines if you are in a carpool/High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane that has a designated entrance on the left.
What does a broken yellow centerline mean?
A broken yellow centerline means that a driver may cross the centerline to pass another vehicle on the left as long as there is no oncoming traffic.
What are NO ZONES?
NO ZONES are large blind spots of a truck where one’s vehicle can disappear from a truck driver’s view.
Fill in the blank.
If you cannot see the truck driver’s reflection in their side mirror, they ____.
cannot see you
If you cannot see the truck driver’s reflection in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
What do the large broken lines in a freeway lane indicate?
end of lane
If you are driving on a freeway lane with large broken white lines, be prepared to exit the freeway or for the lane to end.
What do the double white lines on a freeway signify?
a barrier between regular use and a preferential use lane
Double white lines that can be seen in or near freeway on and off-ramps indicate a lane barrier between regular use and a preferential use lane, such as a carpool/HOV.
Choose the correct option.
If you approach a traffic light with a red signal and a police officer directs you to go through the intersection without stopping, you should:
A. stop and wait for the signal to turn green
B. go through the intersection without stopping
C. come to a complete stop before driving through the intersection
go through the intersection without stopping
A police office can overrule a traffic signal.
How do traffic lights with red arrows differ from those with solid red lights?
You cannot turn on a red arrow, even if you stop first.
True or False:
When turning left at an intersection, oncoming traffic and pedestrians should yield to you.
FALSE
When turning left at an intersection, you should yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
True or False:
Blind spots can be checked by looking at your rearview mirror.
FALSE
What should you do if you are approaching an intersection at the posted speed limit when the signal turns yellow?
stop before entering the intersection, if you can do so safely
