You need room on both sides for turning and lane changes, and a large gap to merge or cross traffic. Taking hazards one at a time keeps you from being squeezed between them.
Keeping space to the side:
- Avoid driving next to others on multi-lane roads; move ahead or drop back
- Keep as much space as you can from oncoming vehicles
- On a two-lane road don't crowd the center line; drive in the center of your lane
- Make room for vehicles entering a road with two or more lanes
- Give parked cars extra room; people or cars may come out suddenly
Split the difference
Steer the middle course between two hazards, like oncoming and parked cars. If one is more dangerous, give it more room; next to a tractor-trailer, leave more room on that side.
Handbook p. 72 ↗Know the rule
Take hazards one at a time. If you're overtaking a bicycle and a car is coming the other way, slow down and let the car pass before you pass the bike.
Handbook p. 72 ↗Know the rule
Give extra space to pedestrians and bicycles, and watch for children, who move quickly without warning. Don't share a lane with a pedestrian or bicyclist; wait until you can pass in the next lane.
Handbook p. 72 ↗Gap you need to merge, change lanes or enter a roadway; merging mid-gap leaves 2 seconds in front and 2 behind
Handbook p. 73 ↗Merging tips:
- Don't merge into a small gap; it can quickly get smaller
- Crossing more than one lane? Take one lane at a time
Know the rule
When crossing or entering traffic, you need a large gap to clear hazards and get up to speed. Stopping halfway is safe only in a median big enough for your whole vehicle.
Handbook p. 73 ↗Know the rule
Turning left, make sure no vehicles or pedestrians block your path, so you're not left halfway across a lane with oncoming traffic.
Handbook p. 73 ↗Know the rule
Even on a green light, don't start across until traffic is clear; you could be caught when the light turns red, and you can be ticketed for blocking an intersection.
Handbook p. 73 ↗Know the rule
Don't pull out just because an approaching car has its turn signal on; the driver may turn later or forgot the signal. Motorcycle signals don't cancel automatically. Wait until the vehicle actually starts to turn.
Handbook p. 73 ↗Put it into practice
You're waiting to pull out of a side street. An approaching car is signaling right, toward your street. Don't go yet. Wait until it actually starts turning, because the driver might be going to the next driveway or forgot to cancel the signal.