## Railroad Crossings Railroad crossings can be dangerous. Always proceed with caution! * **Round Railway Crossing Sign:** This sign means slow down, prepare to stop, and look both ways *before* the crossing, even if there's no stop sign or signal. Remember, trains can't stop quickly! * **Stop Sign at Crossing:** Stop at least 15 feet from the tracks before proceeding if a train isn't approaching. Failing to stop completely at a stop sign before a railroad crossing is a serious mistake. * **Passenger Buses & Hazardous Materials Trucks:** These vehicles must stop, even without a stop signal or approaching train. * **No Shifting Gears:** Avoid shifting gears while crossing the tracks. * **Multiple Tracks:** Wait for a clear view in both directions before crossing multiple sets of tracks. Take your time and ensure it's safe to proceed. * **Lowered Gate:** Never proceed around a lowered gate, even if you don't see a train. * **Flashing Lights:** Stop if the signal lights are flashing. Proceed only if no train is visible and it's safe. * **Stuck on Tracks:** Immediately leave the vehicle, find the Blue Emergency Notification System sign, and contact the railroad and law enforcement. * **Parking Restrictions:** Never park within 50 feet of the nearest rail. ## School Areas School zones demand extra caution. Children are unpredictable! * **Speed Limits:** 15 or 25 mph during school hours (typically 30 minutes before and after school). Flashing yellow lights may indicate when the reduced speed limit is in effect. If school starts at 8:00 AM, the 25 mph speed limit is in effect from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. * **School Crossing Guards:** Obey crossing guards; violating their directions is a misdemeanor in Nevada. Wait until they're completely out of the crosswalk. * **U-Turns:** U-turns are prohibited in school zones unless no children are present, it's a non-school day, or it's outside of school hours (30 minutes after school ends to 30 minutes before the next school session begins). ## Right-of-Way Right-of-way rules promote smooth traffic flow, but remember, *yielding* is key, not having the "right". * **Uncontrolled Intersections:** Vehicle to your right usually goes first. Proceed with caution even if you have the right-of-way. * **Vehicles in Intersection:** Vehicles already in the intersection have the right-of-way. * **Straight vs. Left Turn:** A vehicle going straight has the right-of-way over a vehicle turning left. The left-turning vehicle yields and then proceeds. * **Entering Main Road:** Yield to traffic and pedestrians on the main road when entering from a minor road, private road, or driveway. * **Emergency Vehicles:** Immediately pull to the right, clear of intersections, and stop for emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing lights. * **Four-Way Stop:** The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection goes first (after a complete stop). * **Entering Freeway:** Yield to freeway traffic; enter only when safe. * **Bicyclists:** Yield to bicyclists in bike paths or lanes. * **Funeral Processions:** Allow funeral processions to pass. * **Pedestrians:** Pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections have the right-of-way. However, always double-check before proceeding. Even if you have the right-of-way, always be prepared to stop to avoid a collision. ## Controlling Speed Speed limits are minimums, not maximums. Always drive at a "reasonable and proper" speed. * **Basic Speed Rule:** Consider traffic, weather, road conditions (dry, wet, icy, snowy), and road type (flat/straight vs. steep/curvy, wide/narrow). Never endanger yourself or others. A posted speed limit of 55 mph might be unsafe in heavy rain or fog. * **Example Speed Limits (Nevada):** * School zones: 15 mph * Business/residential areas & school zones: 25 mph * Reduced speed areas: 35 mph * Urban freeways: 55 mph * Rural highways: 65 mph * Rural interstate freeways: 70+ mph Driving too slowly can also be dangerous. Move to the right lane to allow faster traffic to pass. * **Speeding Consequences:** Speeding wastes little time and costs time and money in fines. ## Freeway Driving Freeways are generally safer, but require skill and awareness. * **Planning:** Plan your route beforehand, knowing entrances, exits, and fuel levels. * **Entering:** Use on-ramps; yield to existing freeway traffic. Accelerate to merge smoothly. Avoid stopping unless absolutely necessary. * **Lane Usage:** Keep the left lane for faster traffic; avoid excessive lane changes. * **Awareness:** Look far ahead (20-30 seconds), be aware of surrounding traffic, use mirrors and shoulder checks before lane changes, and signal appropriately. * **Ramp Meters:** Stop at red lights, be alert for quick signal changes, and proceed safely when the light turns green. HOV lanes may bypass ramp meters. * **Active Traffic Management Signs:** Understand lane use control signals (green arrow = open, yellow X = caution/merge, red X = closed). ## High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes HOV lanes encourage ridesharing. * **Rules:** Minimum 2+ occupants (babies count, motorcycles are eligible). Hours and eligibility vary; check signage. Vehicles with more than 2 axles are ineligible. ## Exiting a Freeway Plan your exit well in advance. * **Deceleration Lane:** Use the deceleration lane to slow down gradually before exiting. * **Sign Awareness:** Look for exit numbers and lane markings well in advance. * **Missed Exit:** Don't reverse or turn around; proceed to the next exit and re-enter the freeway. ## Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) ABS prevents wheel lockup during braking. * **Four-Wheel ABS:** Brake firmly and steer; ABS pumps brakes automatically. Do not pump the brakes manually. * **Rear-Wheel ABS:** Prevents rear wheel lockup, but front wheels can still lock. Release brake pressure slightly to regain steering control. ## Stopping Stopping distance depends on many factors. * **Stopping Components:** Perception (seeing the need to stop), reaction (brain signaling), and braking (foot applying brakes). Reaction time is typically 2-2.5 seconds. * **Braking Distance:** Doubles when speed doubles (e.g., doubling speed quadruples braking distance). Wet or icy conditions significantly increase stopping distance. * **Stopping Distance Table:** (Provided in the original text) ## Defensive Driving Tips These tips increase safety margins. * **12-Second Rule:** Look ahead at least 12 seconds (adjust to 20-30 seconds on freeways). * **2-Second Rule:** Maintain at least a two-second following distance (increase to four seconds or more, especially at higher speeds or in poor conditions). * **Maneuvering Room:** Position yourself between clusters of vehicles and choose a lane that offers options. * **Intersection Awareness:** Look left, right, and left again before entering intersections.