Session 25: Cushion of space

You are facing both oncoming traffic and vehicles parked on your right. What should you do?

(a.) Center yourself between the oncoming traffic and the parked vehicles. b. Drive closer to the oncoming traffic. c. Keep driving wherever you are driving in the lane. d. Stop behind the parked vehicles and let the oncoming traffic pass.

Passing large trucks:

A typical car is 15 feet long. A multiple-trailer truck can be 75 feet long or longer. It can take much longer to pass a truck than it would to pass a car; therefore, you must have more clear road ahead before you can safely pass.

Space to Merge

Anytime you want to merge with other traffic, you need a gap large enough to safely move into the flow of traffic. You need a minimum four-second gap whenever you change lanes, enter a roadway or when your lane merges with another travel lane.

Oncoming vehicles:

At a speed of 55 mph, you need about 10 seconds to pass. That means you need a 10-second gap in oncoming traffic and sight distance to pass. You must judge whether you will have enough space to safely pass. At 55 mph you will travel over 800 feet in 10 seconds; so will an oncoming vehicle. That means you need over 1,600 feet or about one-third of a mile to safely pass. It is hard to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles at this distance.

Space to the side

Avoid driving next to other vehicles on multi-lane roads. Someone may crowd your lane or try to change lanes and run into you. Move ahead or drop back from the other vehicle.

Railroad grade crossing:

Do not pass if there is a railroad grade crossing ahead.

Space to the side

When possible, take potential hazards one at a time. For example, if you are meeting or passing a bicycle or a motorcycle and an oncoming vehicle is approaching, slow down and let the vehicle pass first so you can give extra room to the bicycle or motorcycle.

Space to Pass

Whenever signs or road markings permit you to pass, you will need to judge whether you have enough room to safely pass. Do not count on having enough time to pass several vehicles at once. Be safe. As a general rule pass only one vehicle at a time and pass on the left side. Do not linger in the passing lane. Get around the vehicle as quickly as possible and move safely back into your lane. Remember... you may not exceed the speed limit to pass.

What should you do when a large truck wants to pass you?

a. Brake hard to get the truck to slow down. b. Pull over. (c.) Slow down to shorten the amount of time required to pass. d. Speed up.

If a vehicle behind you is tailgating, what should you do?

a. Brake sharply a few times. b. Increase your speed, check carefully, and then steer onto the shoulder of the roadway. c. Move to the left and activate your hazard signals. (d.) Slow down to increase your following distance and thereby encourage the vehicle to pass.

Give a bicycle at least____of room when you pass

three feet

Keep extra space between:

your vehicle and parked cars. Someone could step out from a parked vehicle or from between vehicles, or a parked vehicle could suddenly pull out.

Space Ahead

Rear-end crashes are very common. They are caused by drivers following too closely (tailgating) to be able to stop before hitting the vehicle ahead when it suddenly slows or stops.

Lane restrictions:

Before you pass, look ahead for road conditions and traffic that may cause other vehicles to move into your lane. You might lose your space for passing because of: - people or animals near the road, - a narrow bridge or other situation that causes reduced lane width, - a patch of ice, pot hole or something on the road.

Every now and then you may find yourself being followed too closely or being "tailgated" by another driver.

If you are being followed too closely and there is a right lane, move over to the right. If there is no right lane, wait until the road ahead is clear and passing is legal, then slowly reduce speed. This will encourage the tailgater to drive around you. Never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater. This is especially true if you are being followed by a large truck or bus, neither of which can stop as quickly as a car. Give large vehicles extra room to move.

Space to the Side

You need space on both sides of your vehicle to have room to turn or change lanes.

Hills and curves:

You need to be able to see at least one-third of a mile or about 10 seconds ahead. Anytime your view is blocked by a curve or a hill, you should assume there is an oncoming vehicle just out of sight. Therefore, you should treat a curve or a hill as you would an oncoming vehicle. This means you should not start to pass if you are within one-third of a mile of a hill or curve.

In general, it is safest to:

drive in the center of your lane.

A minimum____following distance is recommended under ideal driving conditions.

four-second

Large vehicles and wide loads

- Large trucks and buses cannot accelerate, stop, or change direction as quickly as smaller vehicles. - Give large vehicles extra room to move on the road, including in roundabouts where they are making turns or going through the roundabout. - Wide loads. Sometimes extra-wide loads are transported on highways. Give "wide loads" as much room as possible.

Anyone who cannot see you may enter your path without knowing you are there. Those who could have trouble seeing you include:

- drivers at intersections or driveways where their view is blocked by buildings, trees or other vehicles, - drivers backing into the roadway or backing into or pulling out of parking spaces, - drivers whose windows are steamed up or are covered with snow or ice, - pedestrians with umbrellas in front of their faces or with their hats pulled down, - pedestrians with white canes and/or dog guides.

in the following situations, you may need more following distance to be safe:

- on slippery roads. Because you need more distance to stop your vehicle on slippery roads, you must leave more space in front of you. If the vehicle ahead suddenly stops, you will need the extra distance to stop safely. - when the driver behind you wants to pass. Slow down to allow room in front of your vehicle. Slowing also will allow the pass to be completed sooner. - when following motorcycles or bicyclists. If the cycle should fall, you need extra distance to avoid hitting the rider. The chances of a fall are greatest on wet or icy roads, gravel roads or metal surfaces such as bridges, gratings or railroad tracks. when following drivers who cannot see you. The drivers of trucks, buses, vans or vehicles pulling campers or trailers may not be able to see you - - when you are directly behind them. This "blind spot" to the rear of large trucks can extend for 200 feet! They could stop suddenly without knowing you are there. Large vehicles also block your view of the road ahead. Falling back allows you more room to see ahead. - when you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer. The extra weight increases your stopping distance. - when it is hard for you to see because of darkness or bad weather. You need to increase your following distance so you can see ahead, or have time to get stopped if it's necessary. - when being followed closely. You should allow extra room so you will be able to stop without being hit from behind. - when following emergency vehicles. Police vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks need more room to operate. - when approaching railroad crossings. Leave extra room for vehicles required to come to a stop at railroad crossings, including transit buses, school buses or vehicles carrying hazardous materials (gasoline tankers, etc.) - when stopped on a hill or incline. Leave extra space because the vehicle ahead may roll back when it starts moving.

People who are distracted

Even when others can see you, allow extra room or be extra cautious if you think they may be distracted. People who may be distracted include: - delivery persons, - construction workers, - children, - drivers who are not paying attention to their driving.

Intersections:

It is dangerous to pass where a vehicle is likely to enter or cross the road. Such places include intersections, railroad crossings and shopping center entrances. While you are passing, your view of people, vehicles or trains can be blocked by the vehicle you are passing. Also, drivers turning right into the approaching lane will not expect to find you approaching in their lane. They may not even look your way before turning.

People who may be confused

People who are confused may cause an unsafe situation. People who may be confused include: - persons driving cars with out-of-state plates, (especially at complicated intersections), - drivers who slow down for what seems like no reason, - drivers looking for street signs or house numbers, pedestrians who have been drinking.

Which of these actions helps the inside of your windows stay clean longer?

a. Avoiding driving with passengers. (b.) Keeping the car cool. (c) c. Keeping the car warm. d. Rolling the windows down.

Which of the following elements are components of your total stopping distance?

a. Braking. b. Perception. c. Reaction. (d.) All of the above.

You want to pass a bicyclist in a narrow traffic lane when an oncoming car is approaching. What should you do?.

a. Drive into the oncoming lane to pass the bicyclist. b. Maneuver around the bicyclist and hope the other car moves out of your way. (c.) Slow down and let the car pass, then pass the bicyclist. d. Wait until the bicyclist rides off the roadway

Which of the following is an example of a road user who you should leave extra space for because they may be confused?

a. Drivers looking for street signs or house numbers. b. Drivers operating vehicles with out-of-state plates. c. Drivers who slow down for what seems like no reason. (d.) All of the above.

What should you do if you are being tailgated by a truck or other large vehicle?

a. Slow down quickly right away to encourage them to pass you. b. Speed up and go the same speed as the truck or other large vehicle as soon as there is more distance between your vehicle and the other vehicle. (c.) Wait until the road ahead is clear, and passing is legal, then slowly reduce your speed. d. None of the above.

Which of the following factors have an influence on the total stopping distance?

a. Speed and the friction between the tires and road surface. b. The condition of the driver. c. The weight of the vehicle and the condition of the brake system. (d.) All of the above

Leaving the correct amount of space between you and the vehicle in front of you at a red signal light will:

a. allow you to drive around the vehicle to avoid being struck from the rear. b. prevent exhaust and hot air from affecting you and your vehicle. c. provide a safety margin should the vehicle ahead of you roll back or stall. (d.) all of the above.

A general rule to follow about keeping space between your vehicle and other road users is:

a. avoid driving next to other vehicles on multi-lane roads. b. give extra space to pedestrians and bicyclists. c. keep as much space as you can between yourself and oncoming vehicles. (d.) all of the above.

The total stopping distance in front of your vehicle is commonly referred to as your...

a. blind spot. b. blind zone. (c.) danger zone. d. all of the above.