Lane Changes, Passing, & Parking
LANE CHANGES
If you need to change lanes,
do the following:
1. Signal so other drivers
know what you are
planning to do.
2. Check your Mirrors;
inside mirror first then the
outside mirror on the side
you’ll be changing lanes.
3. Look Over your shoulder
in the direction you’ll be
changing lanes to make
sure that blind area is
clear.
4. Go if it is clear
S.M.O.G.
S - Signal
M – Check your Mirrors
O – Look Over your
shoulder
G – Go if it is clear
When your lane change is complete, cancel your signal and
adjust your speed
Tips for a Good Lane Change
• Check the blind spot.
• Find or wait for a large enough gap to move
into.
• Maintain a constant speed; traffic behind you
does not want you to slow down!
• Maintain lane position while quickly looking
over your shoulder.
SHARED TURN LANES
• Also called the “center lane”.
• Used for turning LEFT from the
street into a parking lot or
business.
• Also used as a “chicken lane”
when traffic is heavy. When
turning left from a side street a
driver can pull out into the center
lane and wait for an opening to
join the flow of traffic
• Always check to be sure another driver is not intending to enter
the share lane at the same time.
• Stop in the shared turn lane and wait to merge safely with traffic
Tips for Using Shared Turn Lanes
• Signal for 5 seconds before entering
the center lane from the street.
• Signal when exiting the center lane
into traffic.
• The law does not allow you to “travel”
in a shared turn (or any turn) lane.
• You cannot use the center lane to pass
other vehicles
PASSING AND BEING PASSED
Why is
passing
permitted in
the right
diagram but
not in the
left
diagram?
PASSING
Nationally, passing accounts for almost
20% of all traffic fatalities!
Why are passing maneuvers risky?
• Impatience
• Illegal actions
• Lack of knowledge about how
much time and space is needed to
complete a passing maneuver
PASSING
When preparing to pass, ask these questions
• What will be gained?
• Will traffic ahead present
additional risks?
• Will traffic ahead be
essentially the same?
• Will there be a better, safer
opportunity to pass later?
• What are the risks?
• Is the pass legal?
Traffic is moving at 55
mph. Will it be safe to pass
the truck ahead?
Determining Passing Time/Space Needs
Your speed is 40 mph
• The car you want to pass is going 30 mph
• You are at your pre-pass position of 2 seconds
behind the vehicle
• You will need 30 seconds to complete the pass
• At 50 mph you will need 16 seconds
• At 60mph you will need 19 seconds
Determining Passing Time/Space Needs
B
A
C
If oncoming traffic is traveling at 60 mph, the combined
distance needed to pass at 60 mph is 38 seconds.
That’s 3,344 feet - equaling two-thirds of a mile!
The law requires drivers to
complete the pass within _____
feet of an on-coming driver
PASSING TIME/SPACE NEEDS
• It takes even longer to pass a vehicle if you are
going uphill
• Passing a larger vehicle takes more time as
well.
B
A
C
Idaho Passing Laws
• Passing on the right is only permitted when two or
more lanes are traveling in the same direction
• On a two lane road, pass only to the left of the
vehicle
• Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection unless
indicated by signs or markings
• Do not pass within 100 feet of a railroad crossing,
unless indicated by a traffic control device
• Do not pass within 100 feet of a bridge or tunnel
Idaho Passing Laws, continued
Passing is not permitted:
• If a solid yellow line is on your side of the road
• When a sign indicates a no passing zone
• When a school bus is stopped to load or unload passengers while on
a two lane road
• If the vehicle must leave the pavement or road to pass
• When a vehicle ahead is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk
to let a pedestrian cross
• If you must exceed the speed limit in order to pass
• If the pass can’t be completed within 200 feet of an approaching
vehicle
PREPARING TO PASS
•Check front, side and rear zones
•Confirm conditions are safe to pass
•Move to lane position 2 (left side of lane)
•Check target area, blind spot and rearview mirror
•Signal 100 feet or 5 seconds before the pass
PASSING AND LANE RETURN
Accelerate smoothly into the next lane (Increase speed at least 10 mph
faster than vehicle being passed but NOT over the posted speed limit)
Remember that you in the oncoming traffic lane!
Lane Return
•
•
•
Return to lane when the headlights of the passed
vehicle can be seen in your rearview mirror
Signal, check blind spot
Cancel signal
Tips for Safe Passing
• Signal for 5 seconds before passing
• The vehicle you are passing should be 10mph or
more under the posted speed limit
• Do not slow down during the passing maneuver
• Use smooth steering motions
• Pass where it is legal – watch for No Passing Zones
• Do not exceed the speed limit
• Return to the lane only when you can see the
vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror
Parking
Parking Laws
Parking is not permitted:
• On sidewalks
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk
• On the street side of any parked
vehicle; known as “double parking”
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield
sign, or traffic signal
• In intersections
• Within 20 feet of a fire station
driveway
• Within 50 feet of railroad tracks
• On bridges or overpasses
• In front of a driveway
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• On any controlled-access highway
(freeway)
• Where prohibited by signs or a red,
yellow, or white “no parking” curb
Entering Angled Parking
Possibly the easiest method of parking – simply
swing a little wide and use reference points to
park evenly between cars on both sides.
Exiting Angled Parking
•Know which way you
plan to drive forward
once backed out.
•Don’t turn the wheel
until your front end can
clear the blue car.
•Move slowly and look
for pedestrians,
especially small
children.
Perpendicular Forward Parking
More difficult than angled parking
because your car must turn a perfect 90
degrees and slide between two vehicles
(which aren’t usually as far apart than the
ones shown here).
Again, swing wide and use reference
points to park evenly between cars
on both sides.
Exiting Perpendicular Forward Parking
• Watch for pedestrians, especially young children who may be
below your rear window or trunk!
• Shift to REVERSE.
• Back out slowly.
• Crank the wheel once your front end clears the bumper of both
cars.
• Shift to DRIVE (or 1st) and slowly drive forward.
Backing into Perpendicular Parking
ADVANTAGES
• Provides a better view when leaving the space
• Avoids backing out into traffic
• More likely to be let into the traffic flow when
exiting
• Reduced risk of hitting something or being hit
ANY DISADVANTAGES?
45 Degrees
Parallel Parking
TIPS:
•Select a space that is at least 6’ longer than
your vehicle.
•Flash your brake lights and signal a right turn.
PROCEDURE:
1.
Line up your back bumper with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper.
2.
When your seat is even with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper, straighten your wheels.
3.
When your front bumper is even with the (green/front) cars’ back bumper, turn your
wheels sharply to the left. Back slowly, looking out the rear window.
4.
Use the steering wheel to adjust the car so it is parallel to and less than 18” from the curb.
5.
Straighten the wheels and even the spaces between the front and rear vehicles.
Exiting Parallel Parking
TIPS:
•Back up before pulling out. This increases the space for pulling out.
•Signal left.
•Check blind spot.
•Crank wheel to the left and then enter traffic slowly.
Parking Uphill With a Curb
Crank the front wheels LEFT
and let the front right tire roll
back into the curb. Then put
the car in PARK and set the
emergency brake.
The goal is to always use the
FRONT tires to prevent the
vehicle from rolling into traffic!
Parking Uphill Without a Curb
Crank the front wheels
RIGHT, put the car in PARK
and set the emergency
brake.
In this case, there is no curb,
so the car will roll off the
road and not into traffic (if for
some reason it rolls).
Parking Downhill With/Without a Curb
Crank the front wheels
right, put the car in
PARK and set the
emergency brake.
The right front tire will
hold the car in place
against the curb.
Parking Lot Strategies
• Obey speed limits
• Follow the directions of the signs and
markings
• Do not drive diagonally across parking lot
lane markings
• Be alert for pedestrians, bicyclists, rollerbladers and skateboarders
• Avoid tight parking spaces
• Avoid competing for a parking space
• Pull into the space far enough that the front and rear of the
vehicle are not in the flow of traffic
• Position the vehicle properly in the space
• Secure the vehicle, locking valuables in the trunk
• Search all directions when exiting the parking space
• Watch for drivers backing out
Parking Garage Strategies
• Watch for backup lights on
other vehicles
• Observe and follow all signs
• Stay to the right
• Use headlights in dark garages
• Be aware of people in and
around the garage
• When leaving the parking garage be
aware - approach the vehicle with key in
hand, look around and in the vehicle for
unwanted passengers
• Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians
Airport Parking Strategies
• Parking at most airport terminal buildings is usually
not allowed; parking is for temporary drop off and
pick up of passengers only.
• A vehicle may be towed if the vehicle is left
unattended at a terminal.
• Decide if you need short term, long term, or metered
parking.
• Place the parking receipt in a secure location inside
the vehicle.
Handicapped Parking
The handicapped parking symbol indicates
parking spaces are reserved for a
handicapped person
Vehicles displaying this symbol on their
license plate or a special card in or around
the dashboard may park in handicapped
spaces
Non-handicapped drivers are prohibited
from parking in handicapped parking areas
and may be fined ($100.00) for violations
A handicapped person may park
automobiles displaying the handicapped
symbol in public parking spaces without
paying and the time is unlimited
Summary
Changing lanes,
parking, and passing
are all skills you will
need to practice to
avoid embarrassing
situations like double
parking…