1993 BUICK REGAL Owners Manual

@ Part 4 Your Driving And The Road
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Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions . We've also
included many other useful tips
on driving .
Part 4 includes:
Roadsigns
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DefensiveDriving .................................................................
ControlofaVehicle ................................................................
BrakingTips .................................................................
SteeringTip ..................................................................
Passing .....................................................................
LossofControl ...............................................................
DrivingatNight ....................................................................
DrivingintheRain .................................................................
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze ........................................................
CityDriving ....................................................................... \
FreewayDriving ...................................................................
DrivingonaLongTrip ............................................................
HillandMountainRoads ..........................................................
ParkingonHills ...................................................................
WinterDriving ....................................................................
TowingaTrailer ...................................................................
DrunkenDriving ..................................................................
Steering in Emergencies ........................................................
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Color of Road Signs
Road Signs
The road signs you see everywhere are coded by color,
shape and symbols, It's a
good idea to know these codes
so that you can quickly grasp the basic meaning or intent
of the sign even before you have a chance to read
it.
I WRONC
I WAY
RED means STOP. It may also indicate that some
movement is not allowed. Examples are DO NOT
ENTER and WRONG WAY.
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I ,- A-
i?
u
RAILROAD ADVANCE
CROSSING NARROW
BRIDGE LOW
SHOULDER
Y
FLAGGER
AHEAD
/
WORKERS AHEAD
YELLOW indicates a general warning. Slow down and ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance.
be careful when you see a yellow sign. It may signal a You’ll want to
slow down when you see an orange sign,
railroad crossing ahead,
a no passing zone, or some as part of the road may be closed off or torn up. And
other potentially dangerous situation. Likewise, a yellow there
may be workers and maintenance vehicles around,
solid line painted on
the road means “Don’t Cross.” too.
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I
1 SMALLTO
EXIT 1
GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may
indicate upcoming freeway exits or show the direction
you should turn to reach a particular place.
I
BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’
services.
1
CANOEING SWIMMING
BROWN signs point out recreation areas or points of
historic or cultural interest.
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Shape of Road Signs
The shape of the sign will tell you something, too.
ST0 P
An OCTAGONAL
(eight-sided) sign
means STOP. It
is
always red with
white letters.
I'
I
A DIAMOND-shaped
sign is a warning
of
something ahead - for
hill, soft shoulder, or a
. example, a curve, steep
b narrow bridge.
F
40
I PASSING
A TRIANGLE, pointed
downward, indicates
YIELD. It assigns the
right-of-way to traffic on certain approaches
to an intersection.
A TRIANGULAR
sign also is used on
two-lane roads to
indicate a
NO
PASSING ZONE.
This sign will be on
the
left side of the
roadway.
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KEEP RIGHT LEFT OR THROUGH RIGHT TURN
ONLY
RECTANGULAR (square or oblong) signs show speed
limits, parking regulations, give directions, and such
information
as distances to cities.
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Symbols on Road Signs
I
There are many international road signs in use today.
The basic message of many
of these signs is in pictures
or graphic symbols.
A picture within a circle with a
diagonal line across it shows what
not to do.
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Traffic Lights
A
We’re all familiar with traffic lights or stop lights. Often
green arrows are being used in the lights for improved
traffic control.
On some multilane roads, green arrows
light up, indicating that traffic in one or more lanes can
move or make a turn. Green arrows don’t mean
“go no
matter what.” You’ll still need to proceed with caution,
yielding the right of way to pedestrians and sometimes
to other vehicles.
Some traffic lights also use red arrows to signify that
you must stop before turning
on red.
REVERSIBLE
LANE ON
LANE
ROADWAY
NIULTI-
Many city roads and expressways, and even bridges, use
reversible-lane traffic control during rush hours.
A red X
light above a lane means no driving in that lane at that
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time. A green arrow means you may drive in that lane.
Look for the signs posted to warn drivers what hours
and days these systems are in
effect.
Pavement Markings
NO
PASSING
ZONE
Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals.
They give information to drivers without taking
attention from the roadway.
A solid yellow line on your
side of the road or lane means “don’t cross.”
Your Own Signals
Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite,
it’s safer
to let other drivers know what you are doing.
And in some places the law requires driver signals.
Turn and lane change signals. Always signal when
you
plan to turn or change lanes. If
necessary,
you can use hand signals out the window:
Left arm straight out for a left turn, down for slow or
about-to-stop, and up for
a right turn.
Slowing down. If time allows, tap the brake pedal once
or twice in advance of slowing or stopping. This warns
the driver behind you.
Disabled. Your four-way flashers signal that your
vehicle is disabled or
is a hazard. See “Hazard Warning
Flasher”
in the Index.
Traffic Officer
The traffic police officer is also a source of important
information. The officer’s signals govern,
no matter
what
the traffic lights or other signs say.
The next section discusses some of the road conditions
you may encounter.
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive
defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
Buick: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in
the Index.)
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