Would You Pass This Driving Test? Time for a Refresher

It has become more and more evident that many drivers need a refresher course. It seems that every day I witness a blatant disregard for the simple rules of the road. I am not surprised to see speeding and the rolling stop — after all, we are probably all guilty at some time or another. But I have witnessed on many occasions more significant infractions.  

The one that shocks me the most is how drivers respond to an approaching emergency vehicle: not pulling over, pulling over but not stopping, on-coming traffic not pulling over, following closely behind, etc. Holy smokes, no wonder every year there are thousands of collisions in the U.S. that involve emergency vehicles. It really is a basic concept. The WI law states:

346.19 What to do on approach of emergency vehicle. (1) Upon the approach of any authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive such vehicle to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right curb or the right-hand edge of the shoulder of the roadway, clear of any intersection and, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer, shall stop and remain standing in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.

To clear up some confusion: rule of thumb is always move to the right. On NON-DIVIDED roads, move to the right and STOP regardless of the direction of the approaching emergency vehicle (EV) and remain stopped until the EV passes. If you are approaching an intersection, clear the intersection before moving right and stopping. If the EV is on the other side of a divided highway, you do not need to pull over and stop. It is illegal to pass or follow within 500 feet of a moving EV with its red or blue lights on and siren operating. This includes while driving on freeways or other limited access highways.

There is also a "Move Over Law." When approaching law enforcement and other emergency vehicles, tow trucks, road machinery or highway construction or maintenance vehicles (that are stopped on or near a highway and are using flashing emergency lights), you must move into a lane not nearest the stopped vehicle and travel in that lane until you have safely passed the stopped vehicle(s). If it is unsafe to move into another lane, slow down until you have safely passed the stopped vehicle(s).

Another very dangerous violation I have witnessed often lately is running red lights. I don't know if people truly aren't paying attention (which of course is very scary) or if people deliberately run reds. Are we really in that much of a hurry? We have all been in that position before when traveling toward a green light and it turns yellow and the thought runs through your mind, can I stop safely? Do I keep going? All in a split second. The WI law states:  

346.37 Traffic−control signal legend. (b) Yellow. When shown with or following the green, traffic facing a yellow signal shall stop before entering the intersection unless so close to it that a stop may not be made in safety.

Technically if you enter an intersection properly on yellow you should be able to clear the intersection before the light turns red. Have you ever just barely cleared an intersection and then watch the car behind you follow you through? Clearly running a red. Recently on Blue Mound Road, the light turned yellow and I clearly had enough time to come to a safe stop which I was doing and in my rearview mirror could see someone in the lane to my right gaining ground fast. In my mind I kept saying to myself, this car isn't going to stop.... I was now at a complete stop, the light was red and my gut instinct was to start beeping my horn to warn the cross traffic and sure enough, that vehicle blew through the light. This driver was lucky to not have caused a serious accident.

Some other items to refresh:

Turning rules. The safest way to make turns is to go from one travel lane to the other as directly as possible without crossing lane lines or interfering with other traffic. Once you have completed your turn, you can change to another lane if you need to. So in other words, if turning right, turn into the right hand lane. When turning left, turn into the lane immediately right of the center line.

Following distance rule. Rear-end crashes are very common. They are caused by drivers following too closely (tailgating). Professionals used to think a safe following distance of two seconds was enough.They now feel it should be no less than four seconds under ideal conditions.

Schoolbus rule. You must stop a minimum of 20’ from a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. You must stop whether the school bus is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection that you are approaching. Only if you are on the opposite side of a divided highway you need not stop.

Courteous merging. Especially during this time of great road repair, merge every other car in a respectful manner allowing the merging vehicle adequate space.

In general, have patience, don't rush, be courteous, respect the law and respect others and our roads will be safer and our tempers tamer. Driving hastily and unsafely will not get you to your destination markedly sooner.

For more information on traffic laws and education see the WI Statutes Rules of the Road (Chapter 346) or the WI Dept. of Transportation's Motorist's Handbook 

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