Posted on March 28, 2016 by Alan Beckley

Should your car really be driving you around with no help from you?  You might want to read this article before you decide to buy a car you can put on auto-pilot!

http://www.thedrive.com/article/1773/air-disasters-indiana-jones-and-the-future-of-car-accidents​

The stop sign is one of the most common traffic signs, yet there is a bit of mystery about them. Do you stop in front of them, alongside them, or somewhere else? Even folks in the driver education industry can get somewhat confused. This is especially so when you have situations as shown in the accompanying pictures. Obviously, stopping behind or beside the stop sign in this case will not allow you to see around the corner of the building.

After much discussion during my training at Erskine College, the stop sign dilemma can be summed up as follows: A stop sign tells you what you must do, but a limit line tells you where you must do it. A limit line, also known as the stop line, is a broad painted white line on the road indicating the spot where the front of your car needs to be behind when you stop. When driving around town, you can observe that limit line locations are much more consistent than stop sign locations. But what do you do when there is no limit line?
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The next marking to use is the crosswalk. This is a set of two parallel painted white lines, usually narrower than the limit line. Stop completely behind the first line that you approach. Crosswalks must be kept open for the safety of pedestrians. And now you are thinking, “What if there’s no crosswalk, either?”
The next reference point to use is the sidewalk along the cross street. In the second picture, you would use the portion of the sidewalk in yellow where it connects to the sidewalk perpendicular to your path of travel. And if there is not even a sidewalk?
 
Then you pull up as far as possible in order to have a clear view of cross traffic, without encroaching on the path of such traffic. Sometimes there is a narrow dashed white line indicating this, and sometimes not.

• So, now you know the basics for stop signs…
• Stop signs tell you WHAT to do, limit lines tell you WHERE to do it.
• Stop completely behind the limit line, if present. If not,
• Stop completely behind the crosswalk, if present. If not,
• Stop completely behind the projected path of the sidewalk, if present. If not,
• Stop at a point where you can safely view cross traffic without entering the path of said traffic.

Originally Posted on December 7, 2015 by Alan Beckley

This was published in a special issue of AutoWeek dated August 27, 2007. While the whole series on Teen Driving is good, I especially enjoyed “Lead by Example” by Phil Berardelli and strongly recommend that every parent of a teenager read it carefully. And don’t forget to look at the sidebar at the bottom of the page.

Originally Posted on December 24, 2015 by Alan Beckley

Download the
Roadside Survival Flyer  
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Originally Posted on November 23, 2015 by Alan Beckley

Posted originally on November 17, 2015 by Alan Beckley
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Posted originally on November 17, 2015 by Alan Beckley
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Posted originally on October 12, 2015 by Alan Beckley

An interview with Alert Driver Training's Alan Beckley
http://www.heraldonline.com/news/business/article38758290.html   

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Intersection Direction
Originally Posted on September 12, 2015 by Alan Beckley

Drivers face a myriad challenges on the road, and nowhere are they more concentrated than at intersections. The thought of approaching an intersection, especially one with a traffic signal, can make even the best drivers a bit nervous. Will I make the light? Or will it turn red on me? One thing that I find quite helpful is to check my rear-view mirror as I near intersections controlled by a traffic light. Knowing if anyone is behind you, and how close they are, can be the deciding factor on whether to try to make the light if it turns yellow.

A yellow light means “CAUTION” and that the light is getting ready to turn red. It does not mean “put the pedal to the metal”! However, stopping for it at all costs can be dangerous. If someone is indeed following closely behind you, slamming on the brakes for the yellow light is likely to result in getting rear-ended. Remember, you want to slow down and stop for the light, but you must do so SAFELY. In some cases it may be better to go on through the yellow light than hope that the guy behind you hits his brakes in time.

Another point of confusion is when waiting to make a left turn. Some drivers prefer to wait behind the limit line, and some pull up into the intersection to wait. The latter is what I call “taking” the intersection, and is perfectly legal. In fact, some intersections are so busy, taking the intersection may be the only way to make the light. Do not go more than half way, however, as opposing traffic also needs room to do the same. And while you are yielding to oncoming cars, keep your wheels straight. Turning the steering wheel to the left may seem like a good idea to quickly make your turn, but if you are hit from behind, you are going to be pushed into oncoming traffic! Keeping your wheels straight will prevent that predicament.

One last thing about intersections -- When you get the green light, ALWAYS look both ways before proceeding through it. Yes, you do have the right of way, but that won’t matter much if some lead-foot decides to run the red light and smashes into you.

That’s my take on intersections. Stay alert…Stay alive!