Safe Driving Series

1. Safe Driving Series Traffic Signs, Emblems and Signals

2. Course Information Course Author: Lynne Presley, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Training Administration UnitData Source: Oklahoma Driver’s Manual, revised April 2003, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Course Released: November 2003 ORACLE course code: SAFI 17000 Training Credit: One hour (with accompanying test)

3. Course Objectives At the end of this course, students will be able to: • Name the four colors of traffic signs and what they are used for • Identify railroad crossing signs • Identify when it’s permissible to pass another vehicle based on pavement markings • Identify and perform arm signals to signal a vehicle’s turn, slow down, or stop

4. Introduction Traffic signs are necessary for safe and orderly driving. We study traffic signs – their shapes, colors, and purpose - when we first learn to drive. It’s always worth taking the time for a “refresher” course, though. Why? Because in many cases, knowing what a traffic sign means can save the lives of you and your passengers.

5. Traffic Signs: Basic Colors The colors of traffic signs have different meanings, so drivers may identify them even from a distance.

6. Basic Colors: RED Red signs generally mean that a driver must stop, or that something is prohibited. Example: You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Example: You may not enter.

7. Basic Colors: GREEN Green signs generally give directions and guidance, including mileage to other towns, highway identification, and information about locations and exits. EXIT Example: RV station located here. Example: Exit highway here.

8. Basic Colors: YELLOW Yellow signs generally contain warnings that something dangerous is coming up, so drivers should be aware and watchful. Example: Railroad crossing ahead. Example: Deercrossing ahead.

9. Basic Colors: BLACK & WHITE Black and white signs generally contain regulations and instructions. The tell you what you may and may not do. Example: Enter this lane only to make a left turn, not to pass another vehicle. Example: You may only drive in the direction of the arrow.

10. Every Picture Tells a Story Traffic signs are designed to be understood by drivers with various levels of reading skill and comprehension. Most signs contain self-explanatory pictures. Example: No U-turns allowed (the red slash indicates something is not allowed). Example: Narrow bridge ahead (the picture shows a narrowing in the road).

11. Every Picture Tells a Story, continued Example: Vehicles or loads higher than the size shown can’t fit under the underpass. Example: Road is slippery when wet. Slow down. Example: Two-way traffic ahead. Stay in the right-hand lane.

12. Every Picture Tells a Story, continued Example: Do not park or stop your vehicle in this place unless you have a handicap placard or license plate. Example: Slow down and be ready to stop if another car has the right-of-way and is coming.

13. Railroad Warning Signs Railroads may be marked by either of the signs shown. Additionally, there may or may not be an “arm” that lowers when a train approaches. If there is more than one track, the sign will show the number of tracks at the crossing (see picture below and to the right). Slow down as you approach the tracks. If you see a train, NEVER try to beat it by driving across the tracks. Stop and wait until it passes. IMPORTANT NOTE: School buses, vehicles carrying passengers for hire, and vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids must stop at all railroad crossings. Do not honk your horn at them because they have stopped.

14. | | | | | Pavement Markings and Passing Pavement markings regulate traffic, including showing when you may pass another vehicle. A yellow broken line signifies two-lane, two-way traffic. Passing is permitted.

15. Pavement Markings and Passing, continued A yellow solid line in your lane signifies no passing. Since the lines are both solid, passing is not permitted in either direction.

16. | | | | | Pavement Markings and Passing, continued A yellow solid/broken line signifies no passing for traffic in the right lane (because the solid line is in the right lane).

17. Pavement Markings and Passing • Pass only when it’s safe • Don’t pass more than one car at a time • Don’t exceed the speed limit when passing • Don’t pass within 100 feet of an obstructed view, or if vehicles or pedestrians might cross your path, such as the areas around bridges, tunnels, overpasses, railroad crossings, intersections, and crosswalks Remember . . .

18. Traffic Signals Red light: Stop! You must remain stopped until the light turns green. Yellow light: The light is about to turn red. You must stop if you can stop safely before entering the intersection. Green light: You may cross the intersection or turn where allowed. IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep an eye out for drivers who run red lights and race through intersections!

19. Vehicle Emblem This emblem, while not a traffic sign, is still important to recognize. It is used on slow-moving vehicles, such as farm equipment and highway construction machinery traveling on public highways at 25 MPH or less. Use caution and slow down when you see this emblem on a vehicle, so you do not crash into it.

20. Signaling for a Turn It is illegal in Oklahoma to turn without signaling. You should signal for at least 100 feet or 1/3 of a block before you turn. You can use your vehicle’s turn signals, or you can use arm signals.

21. Arm Signals for Turns Using your vehicle’s turn signals is safer than using arm signals, because the flashing turn signals are more visible. However, if a turn signal malfunctions, arm signals may be used. LEFT TURN: Extend your arm and hand straight out the window.

22. Arm Signals for Turns, continued RIGHT TURN: Extend your arm and hand straight out the window, then pointed upward from the elbow.

23. Arm Signals for Turns, continued TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN: Extend your arm and hand out the window and then pointed downward, with the palm to the rear.

24. Rules for Turning • Some important safety rules to remember when making a turn are: • When making a right turn from the right lane, end your turn in the right lane of your destination street. You can then change to another lane when it’s safe to do so. • When making a left turn from the left lane, end your turn in the left lane of your destination street. You can then change to another lane when it’s safe to do so. • When you meet another driver at an intersection and you both want to turn left, each should turn to the left of the other. • Always look to the left, right and in front before making a turn, to make sure your way is clear.

25. Oklahoma Driver’s Manual How long has it been since you’re reviewed the official Oklahoma Driver’s Manual? It contains descriptions and examples of all types of traffic signs and rules of the road, and is a wonderful tool to refresh your safe driving skills. It’s posted online by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (in Adobe Acrobat format) and may be viewed by clicking the button below. (You will need a live Internet connection and Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to download the manual.) OklahomaDriver’s Manual

26. Conclusion Thank you for completing this safety course. Be sure to complete a class roster and give it to your training officer, so you will receive training credit. CLICK HERE TOEXIT COURSE