A 2-minute lesson from the Iowa course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
On a rural four-lane divided highway, traffic moves very fast. Don't try to cross both directions at once—use the median as a halfway stop. Entering an interstate is the opposite problem: you need to get up to speed before you merge.
Crossing or turning left onto a rural four-lane road:
1. Stop at the stop sign, look left, and proceed into the median when safe
2. Remain stopped in the median, look right, then cross or turn left when safe
Entering I-80, use the entrance area to spot a gap, speed up in the acceleration area to match traffic, signal, and merge. Don't stop at the end of the ramp unless you absolutely must.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Crossing a rural four-lane road from a stop sign, what should you do after stopping and looking left?
Cross both directions in one motion
Enter the median, stop, then look right
Look right, then cross both directions
Enter the median, then keep going
Answer: Enter the median, stop, then look right
The manual describes a two-step process: cross into the median first, then stop, look right, and cross or turn when safe.
