The Highway Transportation System

Sharing the road

Pedestrians

Pedestrians have the right of way. Always yield to pedestrians, even when they enter the roadway improperly.

All points where one road meets another and there aren't lights for a cross-walk is a cross-walk whether it's marked or not. So someone waiting at an intersection without cross-walk lights has the right of way.

Animals

Small Animals: if a small animal, such as a dog or a raccoon were to come onto the road swerve or brake sharply if either can be done safely; never risk a collision or put someone's life in jeopardy to avoid a small animal. If possible, try to align your tires so as to avoid going over an animal to maximize its chances of living.

Large Animals: Animals like a moose can cause considerable damage to the vehicle and its passengers. Never swerve around the animal onto oncoming traffic. If you don't have enough space to drive around the animal then try to brake sharply. If you are unable to stop and a crash is imminent, release the brakes just before impact. Releasing the brakes will cause the front of the vehicle to rise and lessen the likelihood the animal will come onto the hood and crash the windshield. If you maintain braking upto impact, the bumper strikes lower on the legs of the animal due to transfer of inertia. This increases the chance of the animal coming through the windshield.

Bicycles

Cyclists, many times, disregard traffic signs, signals, and rules of right-of-way. They often ride at excessive speeds for the riding conditions. So it's important to be aware of their movement and make them aware of your intentions.

You can overtake a bicycle only if there's at least a 1m space between your vehicle and the bicycle during the overtake.

Motorcycles

Motorcyclists are usually better trained and more observant. When properly trained they are more mobile and can stop more quickly.

Watch out for motorcyclists when changing lanes, turning (especially turning left across their path ), or opening your door. In case of quick stops or falling, increase your following distance ( to at least 3 or 4 seconds ) when a motorcycle precedes you.

Always leave motorcyclists a full lane of traffic especially when passing, even though they may only occupy one-third of the lane.

Heavy Vehicles

They have a lack of maneuverability, longer braking distances, slower acceleration, and extra blind spots.

Because of the size of the vehicle, they block your field of vision ahead. When you follow a large vehicle, increase your time interval to diminish this effect. You should stay at least 4 seconds away or to the point where you can see the vehicle's side mirrors. If you can see the side mirrors then the driver can see you. When it's safe, legal, and possible, you should pass the large vehicle.

Trucks

Another factor to be aware of is that large trucks are often more to the left (partly or completely into the second lane) when preparing to make a right turn. This is to prevent the rear wheels from going over the curb.

Always check the turn signals on a truck before moving into the lane beside the sidewalk. Not being aware of this problem may lead to being caught in a "right turn squeeze".

Buses

A decal on the rear of the bus reminds the driver that they should yield and cooperate with the bus as it moves out of and back into the flow of traffic. This is different from cars, where it's their responsibility to wait for a good time.

Do not perform any sudden manoeuvers in front of them, nor turn across their path while they are stopped at an intersection.

Transit buses are given special turning privileges at certain intersections (clearly identified) and are permitted to proceed before other traffic at other locations. This may on occasion require you to stop a little before the corner to leave space for them to turn.

School Buses

A school bus has 2 sets of lights. The amber lights are to indicate that the bus will be stopping in the next 150m and the red light indicate that the bus has come to a stop at a bus stop.

When the amber lights are on, you are not allowed to pass the bus if you are behind it. If you are on the opposite lane, you treat it similar to that of a traffic light, stop if it's possible to do so safely else just pass.

When the red lights are on, you must stop at least 5m from the bus and remain stopped until the signal is turned off or the bus starts moving again. This applies to both sides of the road*.

*Unless there is a physical barrier dividing the road, then drivers from the opposite direction may pass.

Special stops

All vehicles transporting hazardous cargo, school buses, and buses transporting passengers must stop at a railroad crossing whether or not a train is approaching. Be prepared to do likewise when following these vehicles.

Construction vehicles

These vehicles move slowly starting out since acceleration is lower. The driver is less aware of traffic due to the loud noise of the vehicle.

• Do not tailgate.
• Has more blind spots - ensure you see side mirrors.
• Keep a safe distance.

When a construction vehicle is behind you, do not stop quickly unless absolutely necessary; many vehicles require a much longer braking distance.

Emergency vehicles

The law obliges you to cooperate and clear the way within the limits of safety. Also, you must obey the **"Move over law" - reduce speed and leave space from any emergency vehicle stopped at the side of the road or on the roadway.

Responsibilities of road users

As a driver, you have four basic legal responsibilities:

• Your physical condition.
• The condition of your vehicle (Registration).
• Valid driver's license.
• Provincial financial responsibility law (Insurance).

Before driving a car

Before driving any car you have to check the registration of the car with the number on the windshield and the insurance of the car. Ensure that its validity isn't expired. Ensure that you have a valid license on you.

Traffic Control Devices

Traffic Signs

Basic Principles: - Signs are read from bottom to top. - Arrows indicate the direction of the flow of traffic. - A black shield indicates a fixed obstacle.

Significance of color

• RED -> Regulatory signs
• WHITE -> Regulatory / Informative signs
• BLACK -> Regulatory / Informative signs
• YELLOW -> Warning signs
• LIME -> Warning signs
• BLUE -> Guide signs
• GREEN -> Guide signs
• ORANGE -> Construction or temporary signs

Significance of shape

• Diamond shape signs -> Talk about something up ahead.
• House shape signs -> School zone.

Regulatory Signs

• Stop Sign

  Mandatory stop at the white line or before crosswalk (whichever comes first). If there is neither a line nor a crosswalk, stop before the cross street. A 4 way stop indicates that all 4 sides at an intersection have a stop sign.

• Yield Sign

  Requires that you slow down or stop and give right of way to the other traffic. Proceed when you can do so without interfering with the flow of traffic. A yield sign with a circle is a sign at a roundabout that requires you to slow down or stop and give way to traffic already in the rotary.

• Do Not Enter Sign

  Prohibits access for all categories of vehicles. Usually is used to mark a one-way road or an exit ramp.

• Rail road crossing sign

Speed limit signs

The ABSOLUTE or POSTED SPEED LIMIT will be either the maximum or the minimum speed at which you can legally drive in this particular zone based on normal road traffic conditions. These speeds are intended for ideal driving conditions.

When road, weather, visibility, or traffic conditions are not ideal, the driver must determine the BASIC SPEED LIMIT; the speed that will be safe for the existing conditions.

NIGHT SPEED LIMIT SIGNS are posted in some provinces where the speed is on a black sign with white text. These are posted due to reduced visibility at night.

You have to be going as per the speed limit as your front bumper approaches the sign.

Traffic Direction signs

The One-way sign designates the direction of the flow of traffic. Sings, at intersections, are posted at the near right and the far left corners where they are most visible from both directions.

The beginning of one-way/two-way signs indicates to the road users that the roadway upon which they are traveling is changing from a one-way to a two-way or vise-versa at this particular location of the HTS.

Obligatory Maneuvre signs

Signs that are a white square with a green circle and black arrows posted at intersections oblige all of the traffic to proceed in the indicated direction or choice of posted direction.

These signs may be accompanied by a tab indicating the hours and days when this obligation applies and/or the types of vehicles that may be exempted.

Obligatory route signs

These signs use syncs within the green circles to identify the class or classes of vehicles that are obliged to follow the indicated route. The black diamond symbol represents vehicles transporting dangerous substances.

Tabs with arrows may accompany the sign to show the direction in which these vehicles must proceed.

Lane designation signs

Black squares with white arrows mounted overhead designate the lane below the sign for a specific purpose. These signs are usually accompanied by arrows painted on the pavement in the applicable lanes.

Lane-use control signs

They are mounted at the side of the roadway to oblige the driver in the lane to travel in the direction shown.

The white diamond on a red background reserves the lane for traffic in an oncoming direction; on a black background, the reserved lane moves in the direction of traffic. A small version, in the upper left corner, indicates the direction of traffic for the vehicles specified. The yellow version of the sign warns of a reserved lane ahead.

Prohibited maneuvre signs

Prohibited access signs

Parking and Stopping control signs

Crossing signs

X + NAME or the SYMBOL + SOLID LINE are the most common forms of these signs.

Crossing control signs

The third sign informs cyclists that they must cross at the same time as pedestrian traffic.

Other regulatory signs

The intersection with divided roadway signs illustrates the situation graphically when a roadway intersects with another roadway that is divided by a median.

The ALIGNMENT marker, usually red square with a white horizontal chevron, indicates a change in the horizontal alignment of the roadway.

A white or yellow square with lettering and an arrow informs drivers of the overhead clearance available under bridges or viaducts where the signs are posted.

Warning signs

Warning signs draw the attention of road users to imminent or upcoming danger or, on occasion, upcoming regulatory signs. The background color is yellow with black lettering or symbols. The diamond shape is the most common and warns of upcoming danger.

Advance regulatory signs

Advance lane directions signs

Advance turn or curve signs

Advance crossing signs

School zone

A line-yellow, blue, or white pentagon with black symbols of school children indicates the beginning of a school zone. This does not actually set the speed limit, there will be another sign that does specify the speed.

The school zone is only applicable during school hours and not if school is not in session.

Divided highway signs

Roadway reduction signs

Advance intersection signs

Converging roadways

Hazard Markers

Hill Signs

Hazardous road conditions signs

New signs

These signs aren't in New Brunswick at the moment.

Construction Signs

Speed

Work site limits

Conditions in the work site

International Signs

Warning and guide signs

Pavement Markings

Lines dividing roads

Type of the line

• Solid lines: Solid lines indicate that you cannot pass/overtake a car in front of you by crossing this line.
• Broken lines: You can pass a car ahead of you by crossing over this line.

NOTE: You are concerned with the type of line that is closest to you. If there are 2 lines, one broken and one solid (usually yellow), this implies you can use the other lane to pass however, a vehicle from the other direction cannot.

Diagrams:

Exceptions: A driver may cross a single or double solid line if the maneuver can be performed safely when the lane is blocked or closed to traffic; to pass farm machinery, a tractor, or a slow-moving vehicle.

Color of the line

• White line: This indicates that traffic on the other side of this line is in the same direction as you.
• Yellow line: This indicates that traffic on the other side of this line is in the opposite direction as you.

5-lane highway

This is when the center lane is reserved for vehicles turning left driving in both directions.

You should drive in the right lane; however, to turn left, you must position your vehicle in the 2nd lane in time to enter the marked left turn lane at the major intersection. For left turns at any other location, you may cross the solid yellow line to enter this reserved lane after checking carefully that no other vehicle is entering or using the lane.

Alternating Traffic Lane

In urban areas or more usually on bridges, when the direction of the traffic flow changes from one direction to the other (maybe depending on the time of the day), parallel yellow broken lines mark the lane on either side.

When you see yellow parallel broken lines, look up and you'll see a sign that indicates which direction the lane is moving in.

Lettering / Symbols on the pavement

• Crosswalks: At intersections with traffic lights or stop signs, two parallel white lines or bands of white on the roadway delineate walkways to warn drivers and guide pedestrians.

• Stop lines: Wide lines delineate where drivers must stop their vehicles at red lights and stop signs.

• Lane Use:

  • Arrows: Mark the direction of the lane.
  • Diamonds: Indicate that lane is reserved for a particular vehicle type.

Traffic Signals

Note: When traffic lights are not operating, you must stop completely and apply the rules of right-of-way as that of a four-way stop intersection.

Red

• When Lit: Drivers must stop completely and wait for the signal to change to green before continuing.
• When Flashing: Stop, then proceed only if and when it is safe to do so.
• When Arrow: Stop, turns are prohibited in the direction of the arrow.

Yellow (Amber)

• When Lit: The green has ended and is about to change to red. You are required to stop unless you cannot stop safely.
• When Flashing: Slow down and check before crossing the intersection.
• When Arrow: You should stop if you are turning in this direction.

Green

• When Lit: The driver is authorized to enter the intersection if the way is clear.
• When Flashing: authorizes you to enter the intersection, if the way is clear.
• When Arrow: You may turn in the direction of the arrow.

Other

• Transit Priority signal: A white vertical bar that allows buses to proceed before the other traffic.
• Lane lights:
  • Green downward arrow: When steady, indicates you are permitted to drive in the lane under this signal.
  • Red X: prohibits you from stopping or driving in the lane below this signal.
  • Yellow flashing arrow: Obliges you to change lanes in the direction indicated by the arrow as soon as safely possible. Usually alternating with a red X.
• Pedestrian signals
  • Silhouette of man: indicates they may enter the crosswalk.
  • Orange Hand: prohibits entering the crosswalk.
  • Either above flashing: hurry to safety.

Traffic Control Persons

Traffic control persons take priority over any signs or signals.

Hand Signals

NOTE: When turning right, they may also indicate so by extending their right hand (This is not the right thing to do but drivers nonetheless do it).