Roadwise States Hawaii Driving lessons Speed limits, following distance and railroad crossings Hawaii driving lesson · Rules of the Road & Right-of-Way
Speed limits, following distance and railroad crossings A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Rules of the Road & Right-of-Way
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 27, 28, 67 A posted limit is a maximum, not a promise that the speed is safe. Hawaii's basic law requires a reasonable, prudent speed for the conditions, plus enough following space and full stops for trains.
Know the rule
Excessive speed for conditions is the major cause of most crashes.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Basic speed law Never drive faster than is reasonable and prudent. Your speed must suit the area, road type and condition, traffic, pedestrians, weather and light.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Speed limit rules: Never exceed the posted maximum speed limit Never drive below a posted minimum speed limit Don't drive so slowly that you hold back traffic; pull off or change routes if you can't keep up Never race or hold a speed contest or exhibition on a public road Handbook p. 28 ↗ Reduced speed limits are required: Near schools and playgrounds, and at 'School Crossing' signs when children are present On streets in residential or business areas Handbook p. 28 ↗ Know the rule
If you drive more slowly than traffic on a multilane road, use the right-hand lane so others can pass on your left.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Know the rule
Don't follow closer than is reasonable and prudent for the speed, traffic, road and weather.
Handbook p. 27 ↗ Know the rule
When towing another vehicle, leave enough space ahead so an overtaking vehicle can safely move into it.
Handbook p. 27 ↗ 15 feet Stop no closer than this to the nearest rail when a train warning applies
Handbook p. 27 ↗ Stop at a railroad crossing when: An electric or mechanical signal warns of an approaching train A crossing gate is lowered, or a flagman signals a train A train within 1,500 feet sounds an audible warning A train is visible and so close it is a hazard Handbook p. 27 ↗ Put it into practice
The crossing lights are flashing but you can't see a train. Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail and wait. The signal itself requires the stop, whether or not a train is in view.
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.
When following another vehicle, the law requires you to: follow no closer than is reasonable and prudent stay at least one car length back keep at least 100 feet back stay exactly two car lengths back Answer: follow no closer than is reasonable and prudent
Following distance must be reasonable and prudent for speed, traffic, and conditions.
Handbook p. 27 ↗ You must stop no less than how many feet from the nearest rail when a railroad warning signal is active? 15 feet 10 feet 25 feet 50 feet Answer: 15 feet
Drivers must stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail during an active warning.
Handbook p. 27 ↗ You must stop for a railroad crossing when an approaching train gives an audible warning from how far away? 1,500 feet 1,000 feet 2,000 feet 500 feet Answer: 1,500 feet
A train within 1,500 feet giving an audible warning requires you to stop.
Handbook p. 27 ↗ The basic speed law in Hawaii says you must not drive: faster than surrounding traffic faster than 55 mph on any state highway faster than is reasonable and prudent faster than the car ahead of you Answer: faster than is reasonable and prudent
The basic rule limits speed to what is reasonable and prudent for conditions.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ If you can't keep up with the flow of traffic, you should: speed up until you catch back up turn on your hazard lights and continue stay in the center lane at your own pace pull off the road or take another route Answer: pull off the road or take another route
Slower drivers should pull off or reroute rather than block traffic flow.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Reduced speed limits are required near: freeway on-ramps schools and playgrounds when children are present shopping center entrances hospitals at all hours Answer: schools and playgrounds when children are present
Reduced limits apply near schools and playgrounds when children are present.
Handbook p. 28 ↗ Previous lesson Keeping right, passing on the right, and signaling Next lesson Parking: where you can't, and how to do it right More in Rules of the Road & Right-of-Way About the source Roadwise’s Hawaii course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 27, 28, 67. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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