There are escape ramps on several of the steep mountain grades. Escape ramps are designed to safely halt errant cars without hurting the occupants or drivers. Escape ramps, sometimes in conjunction with an upgrade, decelerate a fugitive vehicle with a long bed of loose, soft material (like pea gravel).
There may be one or more lanes set aside on different roads for special vehicles. Signs designating a lane as allocated for a specific purpose are used to identify reserved lanes. "Bus" or "Transit" designates that the lane is only for bus use. (Note: By 2025, Charleston plans to have a bus rapid transit system with reserved bus lanes.)
In order to safely stop, slow down, or direct vehicles through work zones on highways and streets, flag persons, also known as flaggers, are frequently stationed there. Flaggers direct traffic through work zones with red or orange flags or STOP/SLOW paddles while donning orange vests, shirts, or coats.
As you get close to someone crossing the street or walking on it, you have to slow down, yield, and be ready to stop. Whether a crosswalk is marked or not, pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
Unless there are signs prohibiting it, you can turn left on a red light in South Carolina while you are turning from one one-way street onto another one-way street. Before turning, you must still stop completely and give way to all onlookers and oncoming vehicles. Note: Some states have various rules regarding this. It is also legal to turn left on red from a two-way street onto a one-way street in a select states (like Michigan). Some places (like North Carolina) completely forbid making left turns on red. Always be aware of the local traffic laws when traveling outside of your state.
Special overhead signals known as "lane use control signals" designate which lanes of a road may be utilized in various directions and at different times. The direction of traffic for this lane is soon to be reversed, indicated by a steady yellow "X" over your lane. At that moment, the signal will have changed to a steady red "X." Prior to this happening, you must change lanes.
When approaching a railroad grade crossing with just a crossbuck sign or no warning devices, you should slow down, listen for trains, and look for them before you cross. Any approaching train must be given the right-of-way.
Anything that takes your focus off the road has the potential to divert you. Among the things that can divert your attention when driving are texting, talking on the phone, interacting with kids, and starting a cigarette.
When you use the lap and shoulder belts together, your chances of surviving an automobile accident increase. Make sure the lap belt is securely fastened over your upper thighs or hipbones. It is never appropriate to place it across the soft area of your stomach or across your abdomen. Snugly fitting the shoulder belt across the chest and shoulder center is recommended.
In order to direct vehicles into certain traffic lanes during the day and night in work zones, large LED flashing arrow panels may be utilized. These panels alert oncoming drivers about lane closures by being positioned in the road or mounted on cars.
When the yellow light is flashing, you should slow down and take extra caution. Yellow lights that flash are placed in somewhat dangerous areas.
