Intersections are one of the most dangerous
areas for any driver. One oft-quoted statistic is that
over 80% of all city collisions involving injury or death
occur within signal-light (or "controlled") intersections.
Adding to the severity of intersection collisions is the average
speed through a city intersection is often above 50 mph, and
the typical collision is usually a "t-bone," where
you are hit on your vulnerable side door.
Here's how to lessen your risks. First,
as you approach an intersection on a green light, slow down
before entering it and make sure to look left-right-left;
look left first, look left twice, because the first danger
to you is the traffic approaching from your left. If the intersection
is a "blind" one - where you can't see the traffic
on the cross street until they (or you) are so close as to
be an immediate hazard, slow down even more. Do not enter
an intersection you have not visually cleared. Some drivers
"cover" the brake by moving their foot for a few
seconds from the accelerator to a position just above the
brake pedal, which helps eliminate the reaction time needed
to begin braking.
The majority of collisions at controlled intersections
happen within 4 seconds of a light change. You don't want
to be in the intersection during that 4 seconds. However,
if you don't immediately go when the light turns green, people
behind you get irritable, yes? Try this… The first thing
is make sure you stopped in the right spot. Stop far enough
behind the stop line that you can see it on the pavement in
front of your car - this normally gives you 10-15 feet of
space. When the light turns green, take your foot off the
brake and let your vehicle start to creep toward the crosswalk
(easy to do with an automatic transmission).
Look left-right-left, making sure no one
is running the red light and the roadway is clear of pedestrians.
By this time, you are in the middle of the crosswalk (if it
was clear), or close to the intersection boundary and at least
a couple of seconds have elapsed. If the intersection is clear,
begin to accelerate. The person behind you knew you saw the
light change to green because you started to roll, so they
don't usually honk, and you stayed out of the kill zone long
enough to make sure it's safe to go.
There are two major reasons not to crowd
the stop line (or the car in front of you) when stopping for
a red light. First, as noted in the last section, it puts
you in the right position to momentarily delay your entrance
to the intersection when you get the green light. Second,
even if you are not the first vehicle in line at the light,
leave the same space in front—stop where you can see
the rear tires of the next vehicle where they touch the road.
If that vehicle stalls, you'll have room to pull out and around
it. This also gives you added room in case a vehicle behind
doesn't stop in time. If you are watchful, sometimes that
few feet is enough for you to pull forward to avoid being
rear-ended.
When making a left turn, don't turn your
wheels in the direction you are turning until it is clear
to go. If you are rear-ended while you are waiting, your already-turned
wheels may cause your vehicle to veer into the oncoming traffic
and a dangerous collision.
When you are waiting to make a left turn,
your view of oncoming traffic can be restricted. The temptation
can be great to go anyway - even though you may not be able
to see all the oncoming traffic lanes. Don't do it, ever!
It is never safe to make a blind left turn! Finally, if the
left-turn lane is crowded, and it looks like it will take
more than one light cycle to be able to make a left turn,
consider continuing through and make three right turns instead.
If you do this on city streets (not private property) it's
legal and often quicker when traffic is congested.
Keep the shiny side up!
<Rule
#19: Avoid Backing Up!
Rule #21: Be a freeway
pro!>
