2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual 2.7.7 – Space Needed to Cross or Enter  Traffic Be aware of the size and weight of your vehicle  when you cross or enter traffic. Here are some  important things to keep in mind:  construction vehicles may get in the way. Drive  slowly and carefully near work zones. Use your  four-way flashers or brake lights to warn drivers  behind you.  Drop Off. Sometimes the pavement drops off  sharply near the edge of the road. Driving too near  the edge can tilt your vehicle toward the side of the  road. This can cause the top of your vehicle to hit  roadside objects (signs, tree limbs). Also, it can be  hard to steer as you cross the drop off, going off the  road, or coming back on.  Foreign Objects. Things that have fallen on the  road can be hazards. They can be a danger to your  tires and wheel rims. They can damage electrical  and brake lines. They can be caught between dual  tires and cause severe damage. Some obstacles  that appear to be harmless can be very dangerous.  For example, cardboard boxes may be empty, but  they may also contain some solid or heavy material  capable of causing damage. The same is true of  paper and cloth sacks. It is important to remain  alert for objects of all sorts, so you can see them  early enough to avoid them without making sudden,  unsafe moves.  Off Ramps/On Ramps. Freeway and turnpike exits  can be particularly dangerous for commercial  vehicles. Off ramps and on ramps often have speed  limit signs posted. Remember, these speeds may  be safe for automobiles, but may not be safe for  larger vehicles or heavily loaded vehicles. Exits that  go downhill and turn at the same time can be  especially dangerous. The downgrade makes it  difficult to reduce speed. Braking and turning at the  same time can be a dangerous practice. Make sure  you are going slowly enough before you get on the  curved part of an off ramp or on ramp.  In order to protect yourself and others, you must  know when other drivers may do something  hazardous. Some clues to this type of hazard are  discussed below.  Blocked Vision. People who can't see others are a  very dangerous hazard. Be alert for drivers whose  vision is blocked. Vans, loaded station wagons, and  cars with the rear window blocked are examples.  Rental trucks should be watched carefully. Their  drivers are often not used to the limited vision they  have to the sides and rear of the truck. In winter,  vehicles with frosted, ice-covered, or snow-covered  windows are hazards.  Vehicles may be partly hidden by blind  intersections or alleys. If you only can see the rear  or front end of a vehicle but not the driver, then he  Work Zones. When people are working on the  road, it is a hazard. There may be narrower lanes,  sharp turns, or uneven surfaces. Other drivers are  often distracted and drive unsafely. Workers and  Slow down and be very careful if you see any of the  following road hazards.  Learning to See Hazards. There are often clues  that will help you see hazards. The more you drive,  the better you can learn to see hazards. This  section will talk about hazards that you should be  aware of. Seeing Hazards Lets You Be Prepared. You will  have more time to act if you see hazards before  they become emergencies. In the example above,  you might make a lane change or slow down to  prevent a crash if the car suddenly cuts in front of  you. Seeing this hazard gives you time to check  your mirrors and signal a lane change. Being  prepared reduces the danger. A driver who did not  see the hazard until the slow car pulled back on the  highway in front of him would have to do something  very suddenly. Sudden braking or a quick lane  change is much more likely to lead to a crash.  What Is a Hazard?  A hazard is any road condition  or other road user (driver, bicyclist, pedestrian) that  is a possible danger. For example, a car in front of  you is headed toward the freeway exit, but his  brake lights come on and he begins braking hard.  This could mean that the driver is uncertain about  taking the off ramp. He might suddenly return to the  highway. This car is a hazard. If the driver of the  car cuts in front of you, it is no longer just a hazard;  it is an emergency.  • Because of slow acceleration and the space large  vehicles require, you may need a much larger  gap to enter traffic than you would in a car.  • Acceleration varies with the load. Allow more  room if your vehicle is heavily loaded.  • Before you start across a road, make sure you  can get all the way across before traffic reaches  you. 2.8 – Seeing Hazards  2.8.1 – Importance of Seeing Hazards  2.8.3 – Drivers Who Are Hazards  2.8.2 – Hazardous Roads  Page 2-19 Section 2 – Driving Safely Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-19 