1. Reference points help drivers overcome the optical illusion created by vehicle blind spots and accurately position their vehicle in the lane. Reference points relate a part of the vehicle to the roadway using landmarks like lines and curbs. 2. The standard reference points are the center of the hood for the right side limit, the corner post or side mirror for the front limit, and the rear corner post or blind spot for the pivot point in backing turns. 3. Using reference points allows drivers to confidently maneuver and position their vehicle precisely, such as stopping at intersections safely or perpendicular parking within the lines.

1. 1
Reference Points
for
Precise Vehicle Placement
Shelton School District
ESD 113
Traffic Safety
Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum

2. 2
Why Reference Points Are Needed
How wide is a car?
5 – 6 feet wide.
How wide is a lane?
9 – 14 feet wide.
Generally a lane is
twice as wide as a
car!

3. 3
Vehicle Blind Areas
The body of the car blocks
the driver's view of the
roadway
 One car length to the front
 Two car lengths to the rear
 One car width to the left
 Two car widths to the right

4. 4
The Optical Illusion
 Drivers cannot see the actual position of the vehicle
on the roadway.
 Blind Area creates an optical illusion that makes
the vehicle seem larger than it really is.
Reference Points Help Drivers Overcome This Problem

5. 5
Reference Points Defined
 A Reference Point is a place
on the vehicle that relates to
some part of the roadway
 Used for precision vehicle
placement
Reference: Mottola, F. R. (1997). “Empower Yourself with Zone Control Driving”

6. 6
Advantages of Reference
Points
 Helps to overcome the optical illusion caused
by the body of the vehicle blocking the
drivers view of the operating space.
 Allows for accurate lane position adjustments.
 Allows drivers to confidently maneuver in
confined places.
 The reference points for one vehicle can be
applied to any vehicle.

7. 7
Right Side Limit
3-6 inches away from a line or curb
Used when positioning vehicle on the right edge of the lane,
Lane position 3, and parking
Standard Reference Point: Center of the hood.
The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line
up with the center of the hood.

8. 8
Where are the right side tires in relationship to
the curb?
A. In the grass
B. A foot to the left of the curb
C. Just to the left of the curb

9. 9

10. 10

11. 11
Front Limit
The curb, pavement
line, or edge of the road
appears to line up under
the side mirror or with the
corner post.
Standard Reference Point:
Corner post or side mirror.

12. 12
Front Limit
The curb line it appears to line up with the outside rear view mirror
or corner post.
How it is used?
• Precision legal stop: When you are at intersections
• Safety Stop to get a clear line-of-sight
• When you are perpendicular parking

13. 13
Where is the front bumper in relationship to the
white line?
A. Well beyond the line, penetrating the traffic lane
B. Just over the line
C. Just before the line

14. 14

15. 15

16. 16
Lane Position Options
Lane positions 4 and 5 Straddling the line to avoid a problem
5
4
2
3
1

17. 17
Where is the rear bumper in relationship to the
yellow line?
A. Well beyond the line
B. Just over the line
C. Just before the line

18. 18

19. 19
Rear Limit
The curb, pavement
line, or edge of the road
appears to line up one foot
behind the door post or the
middle of the rear side
window
Standard Reference Point:
1 foot behind the door post or the middle of the rear side
window.
Used when backing to
stop before a line,
curb, sidewalk or wall.

20. 20

21. 21
Review Standard Reference
Points
 Center of the Hood
 Right Side Limit
 Corner Post or Side Mirror
 Front Limit
 Rear Corner Post or Blind spot, directly above the center of
the rear tire
 Pivot Point for Backing Turns