Tips - Page 13 - LTO Portal PH

What to Do When an Emergency Vehicle Follows You at an Intersection

When you’re driving and an emergency vehicle is following you at an intersection, you need to act quickly and correctly. The best action is to cross the intersection first before pulling over to give the right of way. Knowing the proper steps ensures you don’t block the path of emergency responders and helps them reach their destination swiftly.

Understanding the rules and regulations for yielding to emergency vehicles at intersections is crucial for every driver. The law mandates that vehicles must yield to police, fire department vehicles, and ambulances when they signal their approach. It’s essential to stay informed to avoid penalties and ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

This is one of the questions in the LTO CDE Exam:

Question: At an intersection what should you do when an emergency vehicle is following you?
Answer: Cross the intersection first before giving the right of way

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At an intersection what should you do when an emergency vehicle is following you?

Emergency Vehicle Right of Way at Intersections

The general rule when it comes to the right of way and emergency vehicles, according to Article III, Section 43 B of the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, is for all drivers to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles when they signal their approach. This rule emphasizes the importance of clearing intersections swiftly and safely to avoid obstructing these vehicles and delaying emergency services from reaching their destination.

For more tips on how to deal with emergency vehicles at intersections, please see this list below:

1. Cross the Intersection First

When you notice an emergency vehicle behind you at an intersection, your immediate reaction should be to clear the intersection. This means that if there’s no way to move to the right even by a quarter of the lane, or if yielding to the right will take some time, then you can only proceed through the intersection before pulling over to give way to the emergency vehicle. After all, you wouldn’t want to obstruct the intersection and block the way of the emergency vehicles trying to navigate through traffic to reach their destination faster.

2. Avoid Making Left Turns

If an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind, refrain from making left turns. Emergency vehicles often pass on the left side and may counter-flow to bypass traffic. Making a left turn can lead to dangerous situations and impede their progress.

It’s safer to continue straight through the intersection and then pull over to the right side of the road. This action allows emergency vehicles to pass without any hindrance, ensuring they reach their destination promptly.

3. Do Not Block the Intersection

When an emergency vehicle is approaching, never stop in the middle of the intersection. Stopping in the intersection can block the path for the emergency vehicle and delay their response time. Always clear the intersection before pulling over.

Think about it this way: if the emergency vehicle were heading to or from a loved one’s home, you wouldn’t want to obstruct its way. Keeping intersections clear is crucial for the swift passage of emergency vehicles.

4. Yield from Any Direction

Emergency vehicles can approach from any direction, and it’s essential to yield regardless of where they come from. Even if they are coming from the opposite direction, make way for them. Other drivers might not move aside, forcing the emergency vehicle to navigate around them.

Always be prepared to pull over and allow the emergency vehicle to pass. This ensures that they can continue their journey without unnecessary delays or obstacles.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failing to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles carries penalties. Drivers who do not comply can be fined PHP 1,000. This fine serves as a reminder of the importance of yielding to emergency vehicles and keeping the roads safe for everyone.

Understanding and following these rules help avoid penalties and contribute to the efficiency and safety of emergency responses. It’s a small act that can have a significant impact on saving lives.

Video: What to Do When an Emergency Vehicle Approaches?

If you need more information or even a visual reference about what you need to do when an emergency vehicle approaches, then you can use this video from Smart Drive Test to learn and prepare for your road test:

Summary

Knowing how to react when an emergency vehicle follows you at an intersection is vital. Cross the intersection first before pulling over to give the right of way. Avoid left turns and do not block the intersection. Yield from any direction to ensure the emergency vehicle can pass swiftly. These actions not only help emergency responders but also keep you and other road users safe. Always remember, the goal is to clear the path for those who save lives.

What do you need to do upon parking and getting out of the vehicle?

Before shifting the gear to Park, parking your car, and getting out of it, you need to engage the parking brake. This step ensures that your vehicle remains stationary and reduces the stress on the transmission system. Additionally, it’s advisable to turn off the engine and remove the keys to secure the vehicle. However, if you’re parking your car for an extended period, avoid engaging the parking brake to prevent potential damage from the brake components fusing together.

Nevertheless, regularly engaging the parking brake provides an extra layer of security, preventing the car from rolling away, especially on inclines. This practice helps prevent your vehicle from rolling and reduces stress on your transmission’s parking pawl, all while maintaining the vehicle’s stability. In the Philippines, there is no specific law mandating the use of the parking brake, but it is considered good driving practice for safety reasons. Knowing these procedures helps ensure the safety of the driver, passengers, and pedestrians, and keeps the vehicle in good working condition.

Be advised that this question is part of the LTO CDE Exam. Please check below for the correct answer if you are going to take this exam:

Question: What do you need to do upon parking and getting out of the vehicle?
Answer: engage the parking brake

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What do you need to do upon parking and getting out of the vehicle

What is a Parking Brake

The parking brake, also known as the hand brake or emergency brake, is a critical safety feature in your car. It operates independently of the main brake system and is connected to the rear brakes. When engaged, the parking brake applies pressure to the rear brakes, holding the vehicle in place. This mechanism is essential for preventing roll-away incidents, especially on steep inclines.

Modern cars come with different types of parking brakes, including stick levers, center levers, foot pedals, and push buttons. The choice of parking brake type depends on your vehicle’s design and model year. Regardless of the type, using the parking brake regularly helps keep it in good working condition, ensuring it will function correctly when needed.

When to Use Your Parking Brake

Using the parking brake should become a habit every time you park your car, whether on a flat surface or a hill. Engaging the parking brake before shifting into Park minimizes the strain on the transmission’s parking pawl, a device that locks the transmission in place. Over-reliance on the parking pawl can lead to wear and potential failure, especially if you frequently park on slopes.

For long-term parking, it’s better to avoid using the parking brake. Extended engagement can cause the brake components to fuse, making it difficult to move the vehicle later. Instead, use tire stoppers or wheel chocks to secure your car and prevent any movement.

The Importance of Regular Checks

Regularly checking your parking brake is crucial for maintaining its functionality. Parking brakes can corrode, weaken, or snap if not used frequently. Routine inspections, ideally during every other oil change, can help identify any issues with the parking brake. This preventive measure ensures that the parking brake remains reliable and effective.

In case your brake warning light illuminates, it might indicate that the parking brake is still engaged while driving, which can damage the brake pads and rotors. Always disengage the parking brake before driving to avoid such damage.

Correct Usage of the Parking Brake

To properly use the parking brake, stop your car with the primary brakes, set the parking brake, and then shift into Park. This sequence reduces stress on the transmission and ensures the vehicle is securely held in place. When you are ready to drive, start the engine, press the primary brake, release the parking brake, and then shift into Drive.

Using the parking brake every time you park not only enhances safety but also keeps the brake in good working order. Regular use prevents rust and ensures the parking brake will function properly in an emergency.

Video: The Right Way to Use Your Parking Brake

For a detailed visual walkthrough on the proper use of parking or hand brake, you may check out this video from Around the Home:

Summary

Engaging the parking brake whenever you park is a good safety tip. It is also necessary to do so before shifting to Park when parking manual transmission cars as it provides added security and reduces transmission stress. However, you also need to make sure to avoid using it for long-term parking to prevent brake components from fusing. Regular checks and correct usage help maintain the parking brake’s effectiveness and ensure vehicle safety in the long run.

What should a driver of a light vehicle do before overtaking a 6-wheeler truck?

Before overtaking a 6-wheeler truck while driving a light vehicle in the Philippines, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and proper communication. Firstly, ensure you have a clear view ahead and behind you. Check your mirrors and blind spots for any vehicles attempting to overtake you or approaching from behind. Communicate your intention to overtake by signaling early with your indicator lights. It’s courteous to wait for acknowledgement from the truck driver—often signaled by a flash of headlights or a wave—before proceeding. This ensures mutual awareness and reduces the risk of unexpected maneuvers.

Overtaking a 6-wheeler truck requires extreme caution and proper judgment especially if you are a driver of a motor vehicle. Since 6-wheeler trucks are significantly larger and heavier than light vehicles, there is a huge difference between how they maneuver and the time required to accelerate or decelerate. Their size also creates larger blind spots, making it crucial for drivers of light vehicles to ensure they are visible to the truck driver before attempting to overtake. For this reason, it’s best to wait for the truck driver to acknowledge your signal before overtaking. Even then, it’s crucial to assess the situation thoroughly to confirm it is safe to overtake.

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What should a driver of a light vehicle do before overtaking a 6-wheeler truck?

Safely Overtaking a 6-Wheeler Truck and Other Large Vehicles: Tips for Drivers of Light Vehicles

Overtaking large vehicles, such as 6-wheeler trucks, means passing them on the road to move ahead. This is different from overtaking vehicles of the same size as your car because large vehicles have larger blind spots and take longer to accelerate or decelerate. These factors make it more challenging and risky, requiring more caution and space.

The size of the other vehicle significantly affects safety and considerations for overtaking. Larger vehicles obscure your view of the road ahead, making it harder to see oncoming traffic and potential hazards. Additionally, the increased size and slower maneuverability of large vehicles mean you need more time and distance to complete the overtaking maneuver safely, making it inherently more dangerous than overtaking smaller vehicles.

How to Overtake Safely

When conditions are favorable and you’ve received acknowledgment from the truck driver:

Step 1. Signal and Positioning

Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to overtake. Position your vehicle to the left to prepare for overtaking.

Step 2. Check Visibility

Ensure there’s no oncoming traffic by scanning ahead for clear sightlines. Avoid overtaking near blind curves, intersections, or pedestrian lanes. Observe TLSL (turn-look-signal-look) technique.

Step 3. Assess Road Conditions and Truck Length

Evaluate road conditions and the space before you and the length of the truck you are overtaking carefully. Only overtake when you have ample space to complete the maneuver safely and without heading straight to the no zones or blind spots.

Step 4. Execute the Maneuver

Accelerate smoothly and steadily past the truck, keeping a safe distance. Do not exceed the speed limit and always be prepared to merge back into your lane once you’ve safely overtaken.

When Not to Overtake

There are specific situations where overtaking is unsafe and prohibited:

No Overtaking Zones: Respect road signs indicating “No Overtaking” zones, especially near bends, crests, dips, and bridges where visibility is limited.

Road Markings: Do not overtake when faced with road markings like solid yellow lines or double parallel yellow lines, which indicate it’s unsafe or illegal to pass.

Intersections and Turns: Avoid overtaking near intersections, blind curves, or when approaching corners where your view is obstructed.

Tips for Overtaking Large Vehicles

Always be patient and courteous when driving, especially when overtaking large vehicles like 6-wheeler trucks.

Use your horn and headlights to communicate with other drivers, but do so sparingly to avoid confusion or startling other drivers.

Keep in mind the weather and road conditions, as these can greatly impact the safety of your overtaking maneuver.

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition, with working lights and mirrors, before attempting any overtaking.

Respect traffic signs indicating no overtaking zones, as well as road markings such as double yellow lines, which prohibit passing in certain areas for safety reasons.

Be prepared for unexpected movements from the truck, such as lane changes or braking.

Maintain a safe following distance to allow for adequate reaction time.

By adhering to these guidelines, drivers can ensure safer road practices when overtaking 6-wheeler trucks, promoting smoother traffic flow and reducing the risk of accidents.

Video: When is it Safe to Overtake a Truck?

For a more detailed visual guide on safe overtaking of large vehicles like trucks, watch this video from mylicencesa:

Summary

Before overtaking a 6-wheeler truck, a driver of a light vehicle in the Philippines must prioritize safety by checking mirrors, communicating intentions clearly, and waiting for acknowledgement from the truck driver. Understanding the differences in size and handling between vehicles is crucial for executing safe overtakes and maintaining smooth traffic flow on the road. Make sure to only overtake trucks or other larger vehicles when the visibility and road conditions allow you to do so.