UNIT E

• Traffic laws


  Promote the orderly and safe movement of people and vehicles on our roads. Govern the actions of all road users and assist in predicting what other road users are going to do.
• It's the responsibility of all drivers to understand the rules of the road so they can drive safely and proactively. This includes having an understanding of road markings, road signs and signals.
• When all drivers operate with the same understanding of traffic signs, signals and road markings, they can get to their destinations safely and efficiently.
• Purpose of any sign


  To warn you of a potential hazard, change in road conditions or the speed limit
• Types of information shown on signs

  • Right of way
  • Speed limits
  • Traffic and turn lanes
  • Direction of travel
  • Passing zones
  • Parking areas
  • Crosswalk locations
• Regulatory signs


  Indicate laws you must obey
• Regulatory signs


  • Stop signs
  • Yield signs
  • Speed limit signs
  • Do Not Enter signs
• The only time you're allowed to ignore a regulatory sign is if a law enforcement officer, an emergency or utility worker, a tow truck operator or a flag person in a construction zone tells you to do otherwise.
• Speed limit signs


  Tell you the maximum speed that is permitted for a road when conditions are ideal
• Speed limits when not posted

  Primary highways have a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour when inside city limits and 100 kilometres per hour outside of city limits. Non-primary highways have a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour when inside city limits and 80 kilometres per hour outside of city limits.
• School and playground zones/areas


  Have a speed limit posted, which is 30 kilometres per hour unless otherwise indicated.
• In all school and playground zones, the speed limit is 30 kilometres per hour unless otherwise indicated. And, unless otherwise posted, school zone enforcement times are 8 to 9:30 am, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 3 to 4:30pm. Playground Zone enforcement times are from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset, every day, unless otherwise posted. Drivers must not pass vehicles travelling in the same direction when school or playground zone times are in effect.
• Permissive signs


  Have a green circle on a white square. The type of vehicle or action depicted within the green circle is permitted if the driver is travelling in a lane facing the sign.
• Prohibitive signs


  Have a red circle and diagonal red bar on a white square. The prohibited action is depicted within the red circle.
• Warning signs


  Are yellow and diamond shaped. They give drivers advance warning of something they need to do, or potentially hazardous conditions on or near the road.
• Information and guide signs


  Are brown or blue squares with white messages. They provide information about off-road facilities such as fuel, food, lodging or assistance. They can also be green rectangles with a white message, and provide directions or the distance to various destinations.
• Route markers


  Indicate numbers, names or other designations of roads.
• Construction signs


  When you see an orange construction sign, be prepared to slow down and stop. If a flag person is present, obey their directions at all times. Often, construction zones will have reduced speed limits. When workers are present, the fines for speeding in these areas double.
• Slow moving vehicle sign

  Attached to the back of machinery and construction equipment travelling less than 40 kilometres per hour, as a warning to be prepared to slow down.
• Yellow diamond signs are warning signs that might tell you about features or the physical condition of the road, a situation that might require you to respond or a change in traffic regulations.
• Traffic signals


  Provide important information for drivers, including the most common type with red at the top, yellow in the middle, and green at the bottom, as well as horizontal variations and combinations.
• Approaching a traffic light

  1. Ease off on the gas pedal and be prepared to apply your brake if the light turns yellow

  2. Check your rear view mirror to make sure you're not being followed too closely

  3. If you're a safe distance from the intersection when the light changes, slow and stop

  4. If you're close to the intersection or already in it, continue through at a proper speed if it's safe to do so
• Passing through the intersection when the light changes is called the point of continuance. Stopping suddenly can cause a rear end collision. It's illegal and highly dangerous to accelerate to beat the red light.
• Flashing traffic lights


  When the lights on the sign are flashing, you should be prepared to stop at the intersection ahead. The flashing lights indicate that the traffic light is yellow, or red, or about to turn yellow.
• Turning right on a red light

  1. Come to a complete stop before proceeding

  2. Yield to vehicles and bicycles approaching from the left and pedestrians on the crosswalk

  3. Once the road and crosswalk are clear, proceed with caution
• Turning left from a one-way street into another one-way street on a red light

  1. Come to a complete stop

  2. Yield to traffic approaching from your right and pedestrians in the crosswalk

  3. When it's safe to do so, make the left turn
• Turning left at an intersection without a dedicated left turning lane or green arrow

  1. Proceed slowly forward

  2. Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians at the crosswalk before completing your left turn
• Dedicated left turning lanes


  May or may not be controlled by a specific directional arrow. A green arrow at the bottom of the traffic light indicates you are permitted to turn.
• Completing a left turn when the green arrow turns yellow


  You're allowed to complete the left turn. Continue to watch for any traffic.
• Directional traffic lights


  May indicate that it is safe to turn right. An X indicates that the lane is closed to traffic travelling in your direction.
• Approaching a flashing yellow light


  Slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution
• Approaching a flashing red light


  Come to a complete stop. Treat it as a stop sign.
• Approaching an intersection with flashing red lights in all directions

  Treat it as a four-way stop. The first vehicle arriving proceeds first. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right should be given the right-of-way.
• Approaching an intersection with non-working traffic lights

  Treat it as a four-way stop.
• Approaching a flashing pedestrian crossing light


  Slow down to the posted speed and be prepared to stop. If there's someone about to cross or on the crosswalk, you must stop and wait until they've cleared the crosswalk.
• Approaching a railway crossing with flashing lights


  Stop when you see the lights flashing. When the lights stop flashing, it's ok to proceed if it's safe to do so. Always check to make sure there's not another train coming from the opposite direction.
• When a policeman or crossing guard is directing traffic


  Follow their directions, but always proceed with caution.
• Another flashing light that you must take particular notice of is at pedestrian crossings. When you see this light flashing, slow down to the posted speed and be prepared to stop. If there's someone about to cross or on the crosswalk, you must stop and wait until they've cleared the crosswalk. Proceed with caution.
• The lights at a railway crossing are clear. Stop when you see them flashing. When the lights stop flashing, it's ok for you to proceed as long as it's safe to do so. Always check to make sure that there's not another train coming from the opposite direction.
• If you happen upon a situation where a policeman or a crossing guard is directing traffic, their directions overrule the traffic lights. Follow their directions but always proceed with caution.