Some drivers do not obey traffic signal lights.
Allow room in front of your vehicle so the driver will have space to move in front of you. Motorcyclists and bicyclists can fall easily on these surfaces. Following motorcyclists or bicyclists on wet or icy roads, metal surfaces (e.g., bridge gratings, railroad tracks, etc.), and gravel.Slow down gradually or merge into another lane to prevent a collision with the tailgater! Allow extra space ahead and do not brake suddenly. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. To avoid tailgating, use the “3 second rule”: when the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain point, such as a sign, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand- two, one-thousand-three.” This takes approximately 3 seconds. This gives space between you and the vehicle ahead, without having to slam on your brakes or swerve into another lane. If a vehicle merges in front of you too closely, take your foot off the accelerator. Many drivers follow too closely (tailgate) and are not able to see as far ahead as they should because the vehicle ahead blocks their view. Know which lanes are clear so you can use them, if necessary. Be prepared for rapid changes in road conditions and traffic flow. Expect merging vehicles at on-ramps and interchanges. On the freeway, be ready for changes in traffic conditions.
Do not develop a “fixed stare.” Check your rearview mirrors so you know the position of vehicles near you. Watch for hazards–Look beyond the vehicle ahead of you. Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and animals that may be in the road by the time you reach them.īefore changing lanes, look into your rearview mirror for nearby vehicles and over your shoulder to check for blind spots (see the yellow area in the image above).Take in the whole scene–If you only look at the middle of the road, you will miss what is happening on the side of the road and behind you. Green is What Is Ahead? Blue is What Is At Your Side? Yellow is Blind Spots/No Zones. Know what is behind you, so you can prepare for what is ahead. As you scan ahead, be alert for vehicles around you. Constantly staring at the vehicle or road right in front of your vehicle is dangerous. To avoid last minute moves, scan the road 10–15 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can see hazards early. This space will give you room to brake or maneuver if necessary. Give yourself this reaction time by keeping enough space on all sides of your vehicle. When another driver makes a mistake, you need time to react. Scanning your surroundings (keeping your eyes moving) includes keeping a safe distance around your vehicle.