46 developing your smart driving skills four-way stops  — when there are stop signs at all corners:  • The fi rst vehicle to arrive at the intersection and come to a  complete stop should go first.  • If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the  right should go first.  • If two vehicles are facing each other and have arrived at  the intersection at about the same time, the one making a left turn should yield to the one going straight through.  Intersections controlled by yield signs  A yield sign means that you must let the traffic on the through  road have the right-of-way. Y ou may enter the intersection without stopping if there are no pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles on the  through r oad. But you must slow down (and stop if necessary) and wait for a safe gap if there is traffi c on the through road. Traffi c circles and roundabouts  These are found in some areas to help traffi c get through an  intersection safely without necessarily stopping the flow of the  traffic.  Traffi c circles  Traffi c circles are mostly found in residential neighbourhoods.  When you’re using a traffi c circle:  • Slow down as you approach the circle.  • Obey any posted traffic control signs, such as “Yield” or  “Stop” signs. If there are no traffic control signs, treat it as an uncontrolled intersection.  • Yield to any traffi c in the traffi c cir cle. If another vehicle arrives at the traffi c circle at the same time as you do, yield to the  vehicle on your right.  • Go around the traffi c circle to the right (that is, in a counter- clockwise direction). You must turn right to enter  a traffi c circle and right  again to leave it. Yield to  vehicles that are already in  the traffi c circle. If another  vehicle arrives at the traffic  circle at the same time as  you do, yield to the vehicle  on your right. If there is any doubt about  who has the right-of-way,  or if there is any chance of  a crash, it’s always better  to yield the right-of-way to  the other person.  driving tip chapter 5 — see-think-do 69 You are using the tools of speed control — the accelerator and  the brake. If you drive a vehicle with a standard transmission,  you’ll also use the gears to help you control your speed. Good  speed control means maintaining appropriate and steady  speeds based on the driving conditions. Appropriate speeds  Speeding is risky, but the safest speed isn’t always the slowest  speed. If you drive much slower than surrounding traffi c, other  drivers might get frustrated and try to pass you.  Aim for a speed that’s appropriate for the conditions in which  you are driving. The posted speed is the maximum for ideal  conditions only. Choose a slower speed if the conditions are  not ideal — for instance, if the roads are slippery or visibility  is limited.  Unless a sign tells you otherwise, speed limits are:  • 50 km/h within cities and towns  • 80 km/h outside cities and towns • 20 km/h is the maximum speed limit in a lane or alleyway  within municipalities unless otherwise posted. Steady speeds  To keep a steady speed, use your brake and accelerator  smoothly. Driving up to a stop sign quickly and then hitting the  brake isn’t good for your passengers or your vehicle. It can also  cause the driver behind to crash into the rear of your vehicle.  To keep your driving speed smooth and steady, you need  to anticipate. When you see a stop sign, start to slow down.  Scan for hazards ahead, and use your brakes to gradually slow  your vehicle. In B.C. in 2007:  •  Speed was a factor in  about 38 per cent of all  r eported fatal collisions. •  4,942 people were  injur ed and 167 died  in collisions involving  speed. Sour ce: B.C. Traffic  Collision Statistics, 2007 crash fact Driving at a steady speed  saves fuel. Suddenly  changing your speed or  driving over the speed  limit will increase your fuel  consumption. driving tip Pr epar e yourself when  you see a hazard ahead.  Take your foot off the  accelerator and cover  the brake by resting your  foot lightly on the brake  pedal without activating  the brake. Your vehicle will  slow slightly and you will  be able to respond more  quickly if you must stop. Physics and driving  You need to pay attention to the laws of physics when you drive:  Traction  — this is the grip your tires have on the road.  1. Cover brake here 3. Able to stop here If brake is not covered the car won’t stop before the crosswalk 2. Apply brake here Sidebar Main column Chapters 9 and 10: references and resources Design features The final two chapters tell you how to get and keep your driver’s  licence, and where you can find additional information. These  chapters are for your reference only. You will not be tested on  this material. This guide is designed to be easy to use. Different kinds  of information appear in different locations on the page.  Understanding the type of information you’ll find in each  location will help you use this guide most effectively. Here are  two sample pages with items you’ll find displayed in the sidebar  on the left side of the page. 3 • Chapter 9, your licence , outlines the steps you need to take  to get your driver’s licence. • Chapter 10, need to know more? , lists places to go for  more information.