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Turn and lane change signals: Always signal when you plan
to turn or
change lanes.
If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window: Left arm straight out
for a left turn, down for
slow or about-to-stop, and up for a right turn.
Slowing down: If time allows, tap the brake pedal once or twice
in advance
of slowing or stopping. This warns the driver behind you.
Disabled: Your four-way flashers signal that your vehicle
is disabled or is a
hazard. See "Hazard Warning Flashers"
in the Index.
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 part discusses some
of the road conditions you
may encounter.
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device
in your vehicle: 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.
IT
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 wav
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
4-8
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