A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Defensive driving means protecting yourself from situations other drivers create. Even if you obey every rule, others may not. The core habits: scan constantly and leave enough room to react.
Know the rule
Look ahead, to the sides and behind. Always look left, right, then left again when turning at, driving through or entering an intersection.
Check behind more often in heavy traffic, and always when you change lanes, slow down, back up, exit an intersection or drive down a long or steep hill.
When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.' Reach the point before you finish and you're too close.
Use the three-second rule under normal conditions. Weather, road conditions, traffic and time of day can greatly increase the stopping distance you need.
The car ahead passes a mile marker and you reach it by 'one-thousand-two.' You're following too closely, so ease off until you get a full three seconds, and more on wet or snowy roads.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the 'three-second rule' used for?
Determining stop sign wait time
Deciding when to pass another vehicle
Timing how long to signal before a turn
Keeping a safe following distance
Answer: Keeping a safe following distance
The three-second rule helps you gauge a safe following distance under normal conditions.