The
faster you are traveling, the more distance you should
allow between your car and the car ahead of you.
A good rule is to stay at least 2 seconds behind the
vehicle ahead of you.
In
other words, if the vehicle ahead of you passes a fixed
object and you reach the same fixed object in less then
2 seconds, you are going too fast.
Know
when to slow down. If you are appropriately aware
of the road conditions, including icy or wet roads,
poor visibility, and your own physical condition, you
will slow down whenever any one of those conditions
could lead you into trouble at the speed you usually
drive. Don’t ever force yourself to drive.
Furthermore,
you should always have a good sense of the condition
of your vehicle. Driving within the capabilities of
your vehicle is not only defensive driving, it is also
just good sense.
All
speed limits are based on ideal driving conditions.
Driving faster than the posted speed limit on any road,
or faster than is safe for current conditions, is dangerous
and illegal.
High
speeds increase your stopping distance. The faster you
go, the less time you have to avoid a hazard or accident.
The force of a 60 mph crash is not just twice that of
a 30 mph crash, it is four times as great. You
may not drive faster than the posted speed limit, even
if you think it is safe.
On
the other side of the coin, if you block the normal
and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly,
you may receive a ticket. If you are driving at the
speed limit, but are still going slower than other traffic,
do not drive in the fast lane. If you are in the left
lane, move to the right when another driver behind you
wishes to go faster.
When
you are driving a bus, towing a vehicle, or driving
a large truck, you will usually be traveling slower
than other vehicles. You must drive in the right-hand
lane or in a lane specially marked for you. If no special
lanes are marked, and four lanes go in your direction,
you may only drive in either of the two lanes closest
to the right side of the road.
