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Connecticut driving lesson · Driving Behaviors & Space Cushion

Seeing and being seen

A 3-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driving Behaviors & Space Cushion
Checkpoint questions
3
Source pages
26

Most of driving depends on what you see, and the single biggest contributor to crashes is failing to see what is happening. Keep your eyes on the road, watch for people who can't see you, and treat every hill and curve as if a car is just out of sight.

Know the rule

You must look down the road, to the sides and behind, stay alert for the unexpected, and use your headlights at night and whenever it's hard to see.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
⅓ mile

How far ahead you must be able to see (about 10 seconds) — don't start a pass within ⅓ mile of a hill or curve

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

Whenever a curve or hill blocks your view, assume an oncoming vehicle is just out of sight, and treat the hill or curve as you would an oncoming vehicle.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

Check your mirrors going down hills or mountains; watch for large trucks and buses that build up too much speed on steep grades.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

People who may not see you:

  • Drivers at intersections or driveways whose view is blocked by buildings, trees or vehicles
  • Drivers backing into the road or into or out of parking spaces
  • Drivers whose windows are covered with snow or ice or are steamed up
  • Pedestrians with umbrellas in front of their faces or hats pulled down
  • People getting out of vehicles or walking out from between parked cars
Handbook p. 26 ↗

Things NOT to do while driving:

  • Take your eyes off the road for more than a few seconds at a time
  • Read a map while driving — pull safely off the road first
  • Wear headphones or earphones that cover or go into both ears
Handbook p. 26 ↗

Rubbernecking

Slowing down to look at a crash, someone getting a ticket or other roadside activity. It can cause a crash and increases congestion.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

In many crashes with motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, drivers reported they looked but did not see them.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Put it into practice

Traffic slows near a crash on the opposite side of the highway. Instead of staring as you pass, you keep your eyes on the cars ahead of you and move past as quickly and safely as you can.

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.

Your view ahead is blocked by a hill or curve. What does the handbook say you should assume?
  1. The road is clear if no one honks
  2. An oncoming vehicle is just out of sight
  3. A passing zone begins after the curve
  4. Traffic ahead is moving at your speed

Answer: An oncoming vehicle is just out of sight

Any time your view is blocked by a curve or hill, assume an oncoming vehicle is just out of sight and treat it like one.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
You should not start to pass if you are within what distance of a hill or curve?
  1. One-quarter of a mile
  2. 500 feet
  3. One-third of a mile
  4. One-half of a mile

Answer: One-third of a mile

You need to see about one-third of a mile (about 10 seconds) ahead, so don't start to pass within one-third of a mile of a hill or curve.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
Slowing down to look at a crash or someone getting a ticket ('rubbernecking') can cause you to be in a crash.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Rubbernecking takes your eyes off the road, so you could run into a vehicle ahead that has slowed or stopped.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
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