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TRAFFIC OFFICER
The traffic police officer is also a source of important information. The
officer's signals govern, no matter what the traffic lights
or
other signs
say.
The next section discusses some of the road conditions you may
encounter.
DEFENSIVE D M N G
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your Cadillac: Buckle
up. (See "Safety Belts" in the Index.)
Defensive driving really means "be ready for anything." On
city streets,
rural roads, or freeways, it means "always expect the unexpected."
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and
make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their
mistakes.
Expect children to dash out from behind parked cars, often
followed by
other children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic.
Watch for movement in parked cars
--
someone may be about to open a
door.
Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street.
Be ready to brake if necessary as
you
go through intersections. You may
not have to use the brake, but if you do, you will be ready.
If you're driving through a shopping center parking lot where there are
well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking areas,
expect some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight toward
one part
of
the lot.
Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give
way to pedestrians even if you know you have the right of way.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they
are common. Allow enough following distance. It's the best defensive
driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know wh.en
the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
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