California Drivers Handbook

[VIPER]

Ma "chinuie" de mult gandul sa va povestesc ce citesc in cartea cu titlul de mai sus. In prima faza, la unele reguli am ras... Apoi mi-am dat seama ca sunt scrise sa inteleaga tot "redneck-ul"... Parerea mea sincera e ca aceasta carte ar trebui tradusa in romaneste...

 

O sa incep cu capitolul legat de viteza (in urma discutiei cu camerele video). Deocamdata textul e in engleza. La cerere, o sa il si traduc. Deci, sa incep:

 

"SPEED LIMITS

 

California has a “Basic Speed Law.” This law means you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. For example, if you are driving 45 mph in a 55 mph speed zone during a dense fog, you could be cited for driving “too fast for conditions.” You may never legally drive faster than the posted speed limit, even if you think it is safe to do so.

 

Regardless of the posted speed limit, your speed should depend on:

 

The number and speed of other vehicles on the road.

Whether the road surface is smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow.

Bicyclists or pedestrians walking on the road’s edge.

Whether it is raining, foggy, snowing, windy, or dusty.

Maximum Speed Limit

 

The maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. You may drive 70 mph where posted. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers.

 

Other speed limit signs are posted for the type of roads and traffic in each area. All speed limits are based on ideal driving conditions. Construction zones usually have reduced speed zones.

 

Driving faster than the posted speed limit, or than is safe for current conditions, on any road is dangerous and illegal. High speed increases your stopping distance. The faster you go, the less time you have to avoid a hazard or accident. The force of a 60 mph crash isn’t just twice as great as a 30 mph crash, it’s four times as great!

 

REDUCED SPEEDS

 

Heavy traffic or bad weather

 

You must drive slower when there is heavy traffic or bad weather. However, if you block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly, you may be given a ticket. If you choose to drive slower than other traffic, do not drive in the “No. 1” (fast) lane. Always move to the right when another driver is close behind you and wishes to drive faster.

 

Towing Vehicles, Buses, or Large Trucks

 

When you tow a vehicle or trailer, or drive a bus or three- or more axle truck, you must drive in the right-hand lane or in a lane specially marked for slower vehicles. If no lanes are marked and there are four lanes or more in your direction, you may only drive in either of the two lanes closest to the right edge of the road.

 

Around children:

 

Within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street, the speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted. Also, if the school ground has no fence and children are outside, never drive faster than 25 mph. Always drive more carefully near schools, playgrounds, parks, and residential areas because children may suddenly dart into the street.

 

Near schools, look for:

 

Bicyclists and pedestrians.

School safety patrols or school crossing guards and obey their directions. For the crossing guard’s safety, allow him or her to safely get to the side of the road before driving ahead.

Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians near schools.

Stopped school buses and children crossing the street. Some school buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop and let children off the bus. The yellow flashing lights warn you to stop. When the bus flashes red lights (located at the top front and back of the bus), you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing. The law requires you to remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing (VC §22454). If you fail to stop, you may be fined up to $1000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for one year. If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane (two or more lanes in each direction) highway, you do not need to stop.

 

Blind intersections

 

The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph. An intersection is considered “blind” if you cannot see for 100 feet in either direction during the last 100 feet before crossing. Trees, bushes, buildings, or parked cars at intersections can block your view to the side. If your view is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see.

 

Alleys

 

The speed limit in any alley is 15 mph.

 

Near railroad tracks:

 

 

The speed limit is 15 mph when you come within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You may go faster than 15 mph if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman.

 

At railroad or train crossings:

 

Look in both directions and listen for trains. Many crossings have multiple tracks so be ready to stop before crossing, if necessary. Cross railroad tracks only at designated

crossings and only when it is safe to do so.

Expect a train on any track at any time traveling in either direction. If you need to stop after crossing the tracks, make sure your vehicle clears the tracks before you stop.

Never stop on the railroad tracks. Remember that a train cannot stop quickly or swerve out of the way. If you are on the tracks, you risk injury or death.

Watch for vehicles that must stop before crossing train tracks. These vehicles include buses, school buses, and trucks transporting hazardous loads. Remember that flashing red lights mean STOP! Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track when the crossing devices are active or a person warns you a train is coming. Stop if you see a train coming or you hear the whistle, horn, or bell of an approaching train.

Do not go around or under lowered crossing gates, even if you do not see a train. Wait for

the gates to rise. If the gates are not working correctly, call the railroad emergency number posted near the crossing or notify the local police or California Highway Patrol.

 

 

 

Near light rail vehicle crossings

 

The same rules apply to light rail vehicle crossings as to train crossings. Do not proceed across the tracks until you can see clearly in both directions and are sure that no other light rail vehicle or train is coming. Do not go around or under any closed gate. NOTE: Light rail vehicles are very quiet and move more quickly than freight trains.

 

Near streetcars, trolleys, or buses

 

The passing speed limit, if it is safe to pass, is no more than 10 mph at a safety zone or an intersection where a streetcar, trolley, or bus is stopped and traffic is controlled by a police officer or traffic signal. A safety zone is marked by raised buttons or markers on the road and is set aside for pedestrians. You will most often see safety zones in areas where street cars or trolleys and vehicles share the roadway.

 

Business or residence districts

 

 

The speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.

 

Near animals

 

 

If you see animals or livestock, slow down and obey the person in charge of the animals. If you see a stray animal in your path, slow down or stop, if safe to do so."

 

P.S. sublinierile cu bold imi apartin.

[alx]

Lasa bre pe astia ca asti e prosti. stim noi mai bine... si io am masina straineza, pt mine nu se aplica regulile astea. astea e pentru dacisti, domne!

[aztec]

am citit si eu pe cel al statului ilinois... distanta minima intre vfehicole.. 2 sec distanta...

adica distanta in care parcurgi 2 sec.. la 10 km pe ora e una.. la 100 e alta... corect, nu trebuie sa o dea in metrii ci in factor timp

[alx]

In ghermania distanta minima intre autovehicule este minim 1/2 din viteza adica la 120km/h trebuie sa ai minim 60 de m distanta. Aceasta regula este verificata cu sistemul de camere video. Au fost cazuri de divort deoarece initial se arata si poza persoanelor din auto. Acum este lasata doar poza conducatorului, restul fiind protejate...

[VIPER]

Well, daca mai vreti, mai bag. Au unele de un bun simt ingrozitor, cum ar fi comportamentul in intersectii chiar daca ai verde... Dar continuarea mai pe seara.

[hitman]

California has a “Basic Speed Law.” This law means you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. For example, if you are driving 45 mph in a 55 mph speed zone during a dense fog, you could be cited for driving “too fast for conditions.” You may never legally drive faster than the posted speed limit, even if you think it is safe to do so.

 

Near animals

 

If you see animals or livestock, slow down and obey the person in charge of the animals. If you see a stray animal in your path, slow down or stop, if safe to do so."

 

Vipere, pe asta o avem si noi: 'Nu ati adaptat viteza la conditiile de drum' zice nenea Pulitzaiul daca faci vreun accident. Iar aia cu animalele nu prea ar merge la noi: avem prea multi cutzi pe strada. Ar trebui sa ma opresc din 5 in 5 min.

Edited October 25, 2005 by hitman

[laurentziu83]

You must drive slower when there is heavy traffic or bad weather. However, if you block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly, you may be given a ticket. If you choose to drive slower than other traffic, do not drive in the “No. 1” (fast) lane. Always move to the right when another driver is close behind you and wishes to drive faster.

Oare nu se baga si prevederea asta la noi, ca m-am saturat sa merg cu 60 in afara in spatele unuia cu dacia din 73 care merge asa ca ii "consuma mult" altfel.

[mr_]

Regula cu distanta minima intre masini se aplica si in Franta. Parerea mea este ca e mult mai utila decat limita de viteza.

[FLEX]

O intrebare, ca totusi n-am inteles despre ce e vorba: aceasta carte e

1. regulamentul de circulatie din CA, editat si comentat ca atare de autoritatea competenta - adica e litera de lege.

2. e un comentariu scris de ixulescu pentru intelegera legii - un fel de "how-to", fara obligativitati ci doar recomandari

3. e ceva de genul "Conducerea autovehicolului" de Petre Cristea, in care cineva iti explica cum sa mini caruta pe drumuri publice.

 

PS: mi se pare ingrozitor de restrictiv ce se intimpla pe acolo, vis-a-vis de realitatea romaneasca; vorba lui hitman, aici nu s-ar putea merge dupa codul ala.

[VIPER]

Este exact ce ai zis la punctul 1. Si inca nu am mai scris... Mai vreti? Mai bag!

 

"Intersections

 

An intersection is any place where one line of traffic meets another. Intersections include cross streets, side streets, alleys, freeway entrances, driveway and shopping center entrances, etc.

 

At intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, slow down and be ready to stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or just entering it. Also, yield to the car which arrives first or to the car on your right if it reaches the intersection at the same time as you do.

At “T” intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, yield to vehicles on the through road. They have the right of way.

When there are STOP signs at all corners, stop first, then follow the above rules.

When you turn left, give the right of way to all vehicles approaching you that are close enough to be dangerous. Also, look for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. On divided highways, or highways with several lanes, watch for vehicles coming in any lane you must cross. Turn left only when it is safe.

Yield to traffic before entering the road again if you have parked off the road or are leaving a parking lot, etc. "

 

"Roundabouts

 

A roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a counterclockwise direction. Vehicles entering or exiting the roundabout must yield to vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

 

When you approach a roundabout:

 

Slow down as you approach the intersection.

Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway.

Watch for signs and pavement markings that guide you or prohibit certain movements.

Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.

Drive in a counterclockwise direction. Do not stop or pass other vehicles.

Use your turn signals when you change lanes or exit the roundabout.

If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit. "

 

"PARKING

 

Parking On A Hill

 

When you park:

 

On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the car will not roll into the street if the brakes fail.

Headed downhill, turn your front wheels into the curb or toward the side of the road. Set the parking brake.

Headed uphill, turn your front wheels away from the curb and let your vehicle roll back a few inches. The back of the front wheel should gently touch the curb. Set the parking brake.

Headed either uphill or downhill and there is no curb, turn the wheels so the car will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Always set your parking brake and leave the vehicle in gear or the “park” position.

 

ILLEGAL PARKING

 

Never park or leave your vehicle:

 

Where a “No Parking” sign is posted.

On a marked or unmarked crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or in front of a driveway.

Within three feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons or in front of or on a curb which provides wheelchair access to a sidewalk. In a disabled person parking space or the space next to it if painted in a crosshatched pattern (VC §22507.8) unless you are disabled and display a placard or special plates.

In a space designated for parking or fueling zero-emission vehicles which display an identifying decal.

In a tunnel or on a bridge, except where permitted by signs.

Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.

On or within 71/2 feet of a railroad track.

Between a safety zone and the curb.

“Double parked.” (Parking in the street when all legal parking places at the curb are taken.)

On the wrong side of the street.

At a red curb.

On a freeway, except:

in an emergency or

when an officer or device requires a stop or

where a stop is specifically permitted. A vehicle (even if disabled) that is stopped, parked, or left standing on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed. (VC §22651[f])

NOTE: If you must stop on a highway, park completely off the pavement. Leave enough space for other vehicles to pass freely. You car should be visible at least 200 feet in each direction.

 

SPECIAL PARKING RULES

 

When you park alongside a curb, the front and back wheels must be parallel and within 18 inches of the curb. Park parallel to the street if there is no curb.

Never leave your car until you have stopped the engine and set the parking brake.

Do not open the driver’s side doors unless it is safe and you do not interfere with traffic. Look for passing bicyclists and motorcyclists. Do not leave the door open any longer than necessary. "

 

Atat pentru azi...

Edited October 28, 2005 by VIPER