Basic driving skills include moving your car away from the curb and into traffic, as well as moving the car out of traffic and to the curb.
What is the Procedure for Leaving a Curb and Entering Traffic?
When you leave a curb, you are going from a stopped position to a moving position. This procedure involves planning how you will move, then actually making the move.
- Advance Planning
Visibility, time, and space are important factors in planning your move away from a curb.
- Visibility
Check your view of oncoming traffic and of traffic ahead of you and behind you. Notice any traffic, signals, signs, and road markings.
- Time
Be aware of the speed limit on the roadway and how fast the vehicles in your lane are moving.
- Space
Check the space in front of and behind your vehicle. Make sure you have room to enter the roadway and still keep a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you. Make sure you have room to enter the roadway and still keep a safe distance between our car and the one in front of you.
- Making the Move
Once you’ve made your plans follow these steps for making the move:
- Use your side and rearview mirrors to check traffic around you.
- Turn to your left and look over your shoulder to check traffic in your blind spots.
- When you’ve decided it is safe to move into traffic, signal your intention to leave the curb.
- Steer away from the curb and directly into the nearest lane of traffic, accelerating moderately.
What is the Procedure for Steering to the Curb?
Steering your car out of traffic and toward a curb requires advance planning before you actually make the move.
- Advance Planning
Visibility, time, and space are key factors in your plan to move toward the curb.
- Visibility
Pick out the spot where you want to stop. Scan the traffic scene in front of you and use your mirrors to check traffic behind you and to your sides.
- Time
Note the speed of the traffic you’re in and consider how much you’ll have to slow down in order to make the move.
- Space
Notice the amount of room available to you to move into another lane, if you need to do so in order to get to the curb.
Making the Move
After you’re planned your move and decided it’s safe to move toward the curb, follow these steps.
- Signal your intent to move.
- Tap your brakes lightly, signaling to drivers behind you that you are going to stop.
- Apply gradual pressure on the brakes to reduce speed.
- Steer out of the traffic lane to where you want to go, using your brakes as needed to stop the car.