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    Defensive Driving Rule #54: Turn Right, LOOK Right! 

    by
    Robert Schaller
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    In the United States, a driver's natural tendency when making a right turn is to look left, since left is the direction the traffic is coming from (we hope). For this reason, right-turning motorists are one of the biggest dangers to bicyclists!

    Many bicyclists ride on the wrong side of the street -- if you are riding a bike, you are supposed to ride WITH the flow of traffic. But for convenience or whatever other reason, you ride down the street on the wrong side (on the sidewalk) -- facing the opposing traffic ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #55: Avoid Changing Lanes in Intersections 

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    Robert Schaller
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    One of the misconceptions that people have about traffic law is that it is illegal to change lanes in an intersection. Quite often, it isn't. (Check what the law actually says in your state). One of the laws here in Arizona requires that a driver not pass another vehicle (left of the center line) either within 100 feet of an intersection, or while passing through one. Over the years, people started remembering this as a prohibition on changing lanes, rather than crossing the center line ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #56: Don't Abuse the Two-Way Left Turn Lane 

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    Robert Schaller
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    Some folks call the center two-way turn lane the "suicide" lane! That's a little extreme -- traffic engineers will tell you these lanes are actually pretty safe. But every day, you see people using them in ways that were never intended, and some of these actions are NOT safe. The lane I'm referring to is the one in the center of many streets and highways that both directions of traffic can use to make left turns.
    ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #57: Avoid "Reverse Traffic" Lanes 

    by
    Robert Schaller
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    Some cities designate the center lane of some major streets as "Reverse Traffic Lanes." These are used during rush hours to help move traffic that is predominantly headed in one direction. Here's an example: in Phoenix, Arizona, 7th Avenue has a normal center two-way left-turn lane between Northern Avenue and McDowell Road (a total of 6 miles). But during the morning rush hour ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #58: Move Right When Approaching Intersections 

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    Robert Schaller
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    This rule is about visibility in heavier traffic situations, and collision prevention. You cannot assume the other guy is paying attention -- sometimes he's not -- and you cannot assume you will be readily visible. Many factors can prevent the other driver from having a clear view and keep him from recognizing your presence. Take responsibility to make sure he sees you.
    ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #59: Beware of Stopped Vehicles at Crosswalks 

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    Robert Schaller
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    This is a simple rule, but it is one that many drivers don't think about. When you are driving down a city street, and you see a pedestrian crossing the roadway ahead of you, you know you must yield to them; but what about the pedestrians that you cannot see? ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #60: Use the Center Lane for Safety 

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    Robert Schaller
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    If you have a choice whether to use a controlled access roadway (or freeway, expressway, etc), or a city boulevard, you should choose the controlled access road, because your potential for a collision is less. A freeway has no intersections, and, with few exceptions, traffic is typically moving at similar speeds. This contributes to safer travel. ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #61: Never Stop on a Freeway! 

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    Robert Schaller
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    This one seems like such a no-brainer, but you see vehicles stopped on controlled access highways all the time. You may have no other choice if you have an emergency, but otherwise, take an off-ramp and find a parking lot to get out of traffic and off the road for a minute or two, to read your map or change CDs, etc. ...
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    Defensive Driving Rule #62: Don't Cross a Freeway Median! 

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    Robert Schaller
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    The "technical" term for an Interstate, a freeway, or an expressway is "controlled-access highway." The elements behind the safety and speed of travel on these highways are common direction, common speed, and no intersections to choke traffic or create conflicts. Simply stated, everyone should be headed in the same direction at close to the same speeds. ...
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    • On the Road
  • 70 Rules of Defensive Driving

     1. Pay Attention  2. Don't Trust NOBODY!  3. Yield Anyway!  4. Don't Speed!
     5. Don't Drive Impaired  6. Wear Your Seat Belt!  7. Buy and Use Safety Devices  8. Motorcyclist, Protect Thyself!
     9. Don't Run Red! 10. Drive Precisely 11. Chill Out! 12. Look Down the Road!
    13. Create Space 14. Drive to Communicate 15. Drive Predictably 16. Always Signal Your Intentions!
    17. Know Your Blind Spots! 18. Avoid Distractions 19. Avoid Backing Up 20. Beware of Intersections
    21. Be A Freeway Pro 22. Know How To Stop 23. Know When To Use Your Headlights 24. Slow Down in Rain or Snow
    25. Maintain Your Tires 26. Take Care of Your Vehicle 27. Get Rid of Tailgaters 28. Maintain an Even, Measured Pace
    29. Check for Hydroplaning 30. Know How To Recover From A Skid 31. Avoid Head-On Collisions 32. Be A Safe Passer
    33. Avoid One-Vehicle Collisions 34. Deal with Light Glare 35. Never Play Chicken With a Train 36. Beware of Stopped Vehicles
    37. Practice Animal Avoidance! 38. Don't Prevent Others from Passing 39. Drive Your Van Safely 40. Practice Smart Bicycling
    41. Share the Road With Bicyclists 42. Exercise Prudent Courtesy 43. Recognize the Futility of Rushing 44.Allow for Your Physical Limitations
    45. Start Rested--Keep Fresh! 46. Share the Road With Trucks 47. Make Space for Parked Vehicles 48. Give Way on Mountain Roads
    49. Make Safe & Sane Left Turns 50. Connect Your Mind To Your Eyes! 51. Make Defensive Stops! 52. Slow Approaching Intersections!
    53. Beware of Traffic Holes! 54. Turn Right, LOOK Right! 55. Don't Change Lanes in Intersections 56. Don't Abuse 2-Way Left Turn Lanes
    57. Avoid "Reverse Traffic" Lanes 58. Move Right Nearing Intersections 59. Beware of Vehicles at Crosswalks 60. Use the Center Lane for Safety
    61. Never Stop on a Freeway! 62. Don't Cross a Freeway Median! 63. Seat Belts and Air Bags Go Together! 64. Avoid Head Injuries
    65. Don't Ride in Pick-Up Beds! 66. Secure Loose Objects! 67. Keep Your Child Safe in the Center 68. Don't "Pump" ABS Brakes!
    69. Choose Your Route for Safety! 70. Use Uncle Bob's Defensive Driving System


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