Traffic Education Glossary

Shifting from a higher to a lower gear

designated by the school to assist children across busy intersections. School crossing guards often wear orange vests

Law that states drivers should drive at a speed that is safe for traffic, roadway, visibility, and vehicle conditions

Allow another vehicle or roadway user to proceed first.

—Ramp leading onto an expressway.

Place where the road is being worked on. Drivers must watch out for workers and equipment

Circular road around a center island with access to several roads heading out in different directions

blood is taken from the driver’s finger to determine the amount of alcohol or drugs that are in the driver’s blood.

Doing any activity that takes attention away from driving, like using a cell phone

controls the flow of fuel to the engine to regulate speed (stepping harder on the accelerator makes the car speed up).

—Driving a vehicle in a very careless manner and endangering the lives of others

Contact between two or more objects, such as when two cars crash into each other

Yellow or orange four-sided sign. Warning signs are _______ _________

Expressway that permits vehicles to enter or leave only at an interchange.

A form that must be carried in your vehicle to prove who owns it, that it is licensed, and that vehicle taxes were paid

Following a car too closely.

A temporary road that is used to go around road construction.

—Art of protecting yourself and others from dangerous and unexpected changes in the driving environment

Pedal in a manual shift car that enables a driver to shift gears

A chemical test in which a driver blows into a machine to determine the amount of alcohol that is in the driver’s body.

—Lack of care for rights and safety of self and others, uncontrolled.

—Parking at a right angle to the curb.

Amount a policyholder pays for damages in a collision to reduce the cost of the premium.

Sudden loss of tire air pressure while driving

Device that produces the electricity to recharge the battery and operate electrical equipment in a vehicle.

Extra lane that permits drivers entering an expressway to accelerate to the speed of expressway traffic

Distance a person can see ahead.

—Being able to see objects that are in the driver’s path.

A replacement driver license that can be obtained if your license is lost.

The right of one vehicle to pass in front of another vehicle including rules about who can first cross an intersection.

Driver license applicants must prove that they are either a United States citizen or legally authorized to be in the US

—Electrical device used to start the car. The battery connections must be kept clean to assure that a car will start.

Ramp leading off an expressway

—Device that flashes front turn signal lights and tail lights to warn others there is a hazard.

—Turning right after stop when the red signal is on unless prohibited to turn

Liquid that is put in radiator or coolant container to keep the engine cool while driving.

Technique of applying the brakes to slow or stop quickly without locking the wheels.

A file that lists all traffic violations that a driver has committed in every state. It is used by the court.

—Person who moves their car back and forth between lanes. A weaver can cause crashes

A highway that has two or more lanes going each direction and where cars can get on or off only at designated places.

Driver needs to take the tests again.

Putting the foot just above the brake pedal, ready to apply pressure if needed.

Level of intoxication in which a driver’s blood-alcohol content is .08 percent and driving ability is reduced

—Intersection without traffic control signals, signs or roadway markings to regulate traffic.

Colorless, odorless and poisonous gas in the exhaust fumes of motor vehicles

license that allows a driver to drive large truck and trailer combinations such as semis weighing in excess of 26,001 lb

Warning light on the instrument panel indicating the ______ is not making enough electricity and the battery is used.

Black rubber devices used to power various types of electrical equipment in cars

Percentage of alcohol found in the bloodstream as measured by chemical tests of blood or urine.

Area for people on foot or in a wheelchair to cross a street or road. Crosswalks are usually marked with white lines.

Point beyond which a driver can no longer stop safely without entering the intersection.

Used for typical driving when car is equipped with an automatic transmission

Showing other drivers what you plan to do by using special lights or arm movements

Written guarantee that the seller will repair the car for a stated period of time.

Portion of a street or highway near a school that is subject to special speed limits set by state law or local ordinance

—Area outside vehicle that side and rearview mirrors cannot show

—Care given to a vehicle to keep mechanical problems from developing

slowing car down

Railroad crossing without signals or crossing gates

—Place to go in case of unexpected conflict.

Extra lane that permits drivers leaving an expressway to slow down without obstructing traffic on the expressway.

Distance traveled from the time the brakes are applied until the car is stopped

Driving when it is more difficult because of weather, light, ice, smoke, etc. Special precautions must be used

Parking a car diagonally to the curb