# Presentation: 448459

## Rules of the Road

## Introduction

**Introduction**

- This training will assist Mexican Motor Carriers in understanding some of the important traffic regulations and traffic control devices used in the United States.
- Mexican drivers are required to comply with U.S. traffic regulations when using our  streets and highways.

## General Requirements

**General Requirements**

**Reference:**
**Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices** (MUTCD) published by the _[Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/)_
- Click _[here](http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno-millennium.htm)__ for MUTCD Web site._

## Traffic Signs in the U.S.

- Traffic signs are important for your Safety!
- In order to provide your drivers a proper training experience, please see our U.S. Traffic Sign Guide Training Module.

## Traffic Control Devices

**Traffic ****Control**** Devices**

- Traffic control devices are important because they regulate, warn, and guide road users along the highways.
- Some traffic control devices are:
- Stops Signs
- Pavement Markings
- Speed Signs
- Route Markers
- Traffic Signals

## Traffic Control Devices

**Traffic Control Devices**

**Many of the traffic control devices used in U.S. are similar in design and use to the ones used in Mexico.**
**It is important that a Mexican ****driver become aware of the traffic ****control differences as color, language of message, symbols and applications to avoid misreading them when driving in the U.S.**

## Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 

**Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices **

- The MUTCD establishes a nationwide standard in the U.S. for traffic control devices so that drivers can learn one set of rules that don't change every time they cross a U.S. State line.

## Traffic Control Devices

**Traffic Control Devices**

- Three types of traffic control devices:
- Pavement Markings
- Traffic Signals
- Signs

## Pavement Markings

**Pavement ****Markings**

- In the U.S. and Mexico, center lines or edge lines pavement markings are used to guide and warn drivers.
- Pavement markings may be either yellow or white. **Each** has a different meaning:- Yellow center line markings separate lanes of    traffic moving in opposite directions.
**  **

## Pavement Markings

**White lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. **

## 
Pedestrian Crosswalks
In the U.S. are shown with white lines across the road. 
In Mexico are shown with yellow lines across the road.

- Pedestrian Crosswalks
- In the U.S. are shown with white lines across the road.
- In Mexico are shown with yellow lines across the road.

**Pavement Markings**

## Pavement Markings

**Pavement Markings**

**Center Lines:**
- A yellow dashed or broken line is used as the
- center line on a two–lane, two–way road where
- passing with care is permitted in both directions.

## Pavement Markings

**Pavement Markings**

**Center Lines:**
- When continuous, double, solid, yellow lines are
- the center lines you cannot cross them to pass in
- either direction. On a two–lane road, passing with
- care is permitted if the dashed yellow line is in
- your lane.

## Pavement Markings

**Pavement Markings**

**Edge lines:**
- Single, solid, white lines are used as right–edge lines along the roadway and for guiding traffic traveling in the same direction.
- Single, solid, yellow lines are used as left–edge lines on divided highways.
- If you see the reverse, you are traveling in the wrong direction.

## Pavement Markings

**Pavement Markings**

**Two–Way left turn lane:**
- On certain multi–lane highways, a special center lane
- is reserved exclusively for two-way left turn
- movements in both directions. The two–way left turn
- lane must not be used for passing or overtaking
- another vehicle. The marking for this type of lane is
- shown by the diagram below.

## Pavement Markings

**Pavement Markings**

**Pavement Markers:**
- White and yellow pavement “markers" are reflective devices used in the pavement to improve the visibility of marking lines at night when the road is wet.
- Red markers indicate wrong–way movements for motorists.

## Traffic Signals

**Traffic Signals**

- In the U.S. and Mexico, traffic signals are placed at intersections to keep traffic moving and avoid accidents.
- Drivers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders must obey these signals except when an officer is directing traffic.

## Traffic Signals

**Traffic Signals**

- Stop on the stop line if your car is nearest the signal.
- Some signals change only when a car is at the stop line.
- If traffic signals are out of order, stop as you would for a four-way stop sign.

## Traffic Signs

**Traffic Signs**

- Traffic signs convey information to travelers through their shape, color, message, and placement.
- Each standard sign shall be use only for the specific purpose as described in the MUTCD.

## Important!

**Important!**

- Remember that the Mexican driver must be
- 	able to communicate with the authorities in
- 	every jurisdiction that you drive through.
- A poor understanding of English is not
- 	considered to be a good defense if you are
- 	charged with a violation or offense.

## Rules of the Road

**Rules of the Road**

- It is important to remember that everyone must obey the orders of a police officer, firefighter or uniformed adult school crossing guard who is directing traffic.
- Please see the What To Do When Stopped By Police training module.

## Rules of the Road

**Thank you for your attention!**