Traffic laws need to be respected. The law is one thing.... following prudent advice is another. As with anything in life, know the rules and guidelines before you get involved with something. The laws and rules of the road should not be afterthoughts, but learned and observed.

Lights and Horns

A. Lights - It is said that the eyes are a human being's window to the world. Similarly, the lights on a vehicle are its eyes and are essential to the safe operation of a motor vehicle. The following laws and requirements should be acknowledged:

1. The law requires you to use headlights from sunset to sunrise. Additionally, headlights must be used anytime you cannot see at least 1000 ft. ahead.

2. Headlights must be on low beam when within 500 ft. of an approaching vehicle or 200 ft. of the vehicle ahead (the vehicle you are immediately following).

3. High beams may be used only when there are no oncoming vehicles.

4. All new cars as of 1986 must have a third rear brake light mounted on the rear window.

5. Taillights need to be maintained, as they are warning mechanisms for vehicles to the rear.

6. Emergency hazards or flashers should only be utilized in distress situations to alert other drivers of a problem. These lights are the same used for brake lights, and a switch or button inside the car activates them. When activated, they flash at a regular interval until turned off. These flashing red lights should warn other drivers that you have a problem, and imply that they should use extra caution around you.

7. Headlights should be used when it is cloudy, raining, snowing, foggy or when windows may be icy, making it difficult to see other cars (anytime you use your windshield wipers due to weather conditions, headlights must be turned on.)

8. Headlights should be used during the daytime when driving on mountain roads, country roads, through canyons or tunnels, or any time you have difficulty seeing.

9. It is illegal to drive with only your parking lights on at night.

10. Any vehicle may add two auxiliary lamps (fog, passing, or driving lamps). The lamps must be placed on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 16 inches and no more than 42 inches.

B. Horns - Unfortunately, use of the horn has become a spark plug for road rage situations. Use of the horn, however, should not be feared, but used as a means to save lives. As a warning mechanism, there is nothing more effective in your vehicle. The horn should be used to warn other drivers only as a communication tool.

1. The horn should be used at any time it is necessary to avoid a collision.

2. If the roadway doesn't permit your vehicle to travel completely to the right side of the lane when approaching a curve with an unobstructed view of less than 200 feet, you must give audible warning to other drivers with the horn.

3. A horn should not be used to attract the attention of other drivers unless necessary to avoid collisions or for the safe operation of your vehicle.

4. When driving on a mountain road where visibility is impaired and you cannot see at least 200 ft. ahead, the vehicle's horn should be sounded as a warning to other drivers of your vehicle's presence. As a rule, the horn should only be utilized in emergency or distress situations, and it must be in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible from a distance of at least 200 feet.

C. Brake Lights- Brake lights must be functional and properly maintained as they are an essential part of safe driving. Drivers immediately following you need to have ample warning of an impending stop in order to adequately slow down. Missing or inoperable brake lights often lead to rear-end collisions, as the vehicles behind are unaware that the vehicle ahead is slowing. Tailgating is a major problem on the roads today, and inoperable brake lights only add to the danger. It is nearly impossible to judge whether a vehicle is slowing without the brakes or warning lights functioning. A simple periodic check of the vehicle's brake lights will prevent this problem from occurring. NOTE: Backing or back up lights should be maintained and properly working as they increase visibility for your vehicle and alert other motorists and pedestrians of your intention to back up. These lights are typically white when illuminated.

D. Signaling/Turn Signals- Always signal to let other drivers know of your intention to turn or change lanes. Watch for other drivers' signals at all times. Turn signals are located next to the headlights on the front and next to the brake lights at the rear of the vehicle. Turn signals allow other drivers to see your intention to turn. To signal, simply move the lever (which is connected to the steering wheel) up for a right signal or down for a left signal. Some important tips to remember include:

• Signal before pulling towards or away from the curb.
• Signal before changing lanes.
• Always use arm signals in case other drivers cannot see your signal lamps (during daytime hours if it is very bright outside).
• Signal at least 300 feet before turning, and on the expressway, it is best to signal at least five seconds before changing lanes.
• Signal to warn other drivers of a collision ahead.
• Use brake lights to signal your intention to stop or brake quickly.

Emergency Vehicles

A. You must yield the right-of-way to all emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances, fire engines, and any other vehicles using a siren and red or blue lights. When an emergency vehicle approaches, do not stop in the middle of the intersection, but instead pull over to the right side of the road as soon as possible.

B. Emergency vehicles travel quite rapidly, often moving into opposing lanes of traffic, and they alert other vehicles with horns or speakers that they are approaching. You should never follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle traveling in an emergency situation.

C. If you approach an emergency vehicle that is flashing its emergency lights and has stopped on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction, you must either:

• Move over to a lane that is not next to where the emergency vehicle has stopped unless the roadway, traffic, weather or other conditions make this unsafe or impossible.
• Slow down to a safe speed while passing the emergency vehicle if changing lanes is not possible or not safe.

This is an important law because it protects emergency personnel who in turn are trying to help you or someone else. They often must step temporarily into traffic to perform their duties. Many drivers pass too closely, and this can cause injury or death.

Emergency vehicles exist for the safety of everyone. They need to be respected.

Special Note... Stereo headphones should not be worn while driving and can contribute to accidents. You may not be able to hear emergency vehicles or other vehicles around you. Driving with headphones on is illegal and quite dangerous.

Stopping For School Buses

Before reaching any school bus from either direction that is stopped to load or unload passengers, you must stop. When you are on the opposite side of a highway with four or more lanes, you will not need to stop, but you should still proceed very carefully. School buses have two sets of lights, yellow and red. Ten seconds before a school bus is going to stop, load or unload passengers, it will activate its flashing yellow lights. The flashing yellow lights are a warning to drivers around the bus that a stop is going to happen soon. When you see these lights, you should use caution; there may be children waiting or running to catch the bus. When the bus is stopped, it will activate its flashing red lights, and a stop sign arm will be displayed. You must not proceed until the red flashing lights have stopped and the stop sign arm has been retracted. Delaware law also requires drivers to stop even when the bus is stopped to load or unload students on private property.

Penalties for Passing a School Bus:

First Offense:

* A fine of $115 to $230
* Possible imprisonment of 30 days to 60 days in addition to or in lieu of the fine

Each Subsequent Offense Within Three Years:

* A fine of $115 to $575
* Imprisonment of 60 days to 6 months

If convicted of passing a school bus which has stopped, the Division of Motor Vehicles will suspend your driving privileges for one month to one year.

Speed Limits

Controlling your vehicle's speed is the best way to prevent loss of control and collisions. You need to be aware of legal and safe speeds at all times. Approximately 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States are speed-related.

School Zone Speed Limit:
 

The speed limit in a school zone is 20 miles per hour

State Speed Limit Laws:
 

Business Districts	25 mph
Residential Districts	25 mph
Two-lane Roads	50 mph
Divided Roads & Roads Having Four or More Lanes	55 mph
Controlled Access Highways (Turnpikes & Expressways)	55 mph
Route 1 and Interstate 495*	65 mph
*speed limits may vary throughout depending on area

Driving Too Fast for Highway and Traffic Conditions

A. The General Speed Restriction (sometimes referred to as the basic speed law) demands that you never operate a motor vehicle at a speed that is unsafe for the road or too fast for conditions; you must drive at a careful and prudent speed in all conditions. This law demands that all drivers use discretion and common sense while driving and not drive at unsafe speeds. Driving 35 mph in a 35 mph zone during a severe rainstorm, for example, may be a violation of the basic speed law. You must make a determination of safe driving speed at all times, and not just have awareness of the maximum speeds allowed by law. Underlying factors that may contribute to driving conditions must be factored in when assessing a safe speed. This law exists to slow down drivers in adverse conditions, not to allow them to exceed safe speeds.
 

B. Minimum speed laws are important to ensure safe traffic flow on roadways. If you block the normal and reasonable flow of traffic by driving too slowly, you may receive a ticket. More importantly, you may be a danger on the road to vehicles traveling at higher speeds, and also risk the possibility of a rear-end collision. When driving at slow speeds, you should travel in the lane furthest to the right. Additionally, if vehicles approach and appear to want to pass, you should again signal and change lanes, proceeding to the right. Not only does awareness of safe driving procedures when traveling at slow speeds reduce the risk of a traffic collision, it also helps you to avoid drivers possessed by road rage. NOTE: Always be aware of slow-moving vehicles you may be approaching.