Roadwise States Minnesota Driving lessons SIPDE, following distance and stopping Minnesota driving lesson · Driving Conditions
SIPDE, following distance and stopping A 3-minute lesson from the Minnesota 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 Driving Conditions
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 75, 76 You can't count on others to see you — the only eyes you can rely on are your own. Experienced drivers use SIPDE, a five-step habit for spotting trouble early, and keep enough space to react.
When scanning, search for: Oncoming traffic that may turn in front of you Traffic from the left and right, including bicycles and pedestrians Traffic approaching from behind Hazardous road conditions Escape routes around intersections, shopping areas, schools and commercial zones Handbook p. 75 ↗ Hazards to identify Moving vehicles and pedestrians that may move into your path Unattended children and animals, which can make short, fast moves Stationary objects — potholes, guard rails, bridges, signs, hedges, trees Handbook p. 75 ↗ Know the rule
When predicting, remember that vehicles moving into your path are more critical than those moving away or standing still.
Handbook p. 75 ↗ To execute — create space and minimize harm: Communicate your presence with lights, horn or both Adjust your speed Adjust your position, direction or both Handbook p. 75 ↗ Three-second rule A way to keep a safe gap behind the vehicle ahead. It applies to standard-length vehicles in ideal conditions.
Handbook p. 76 ↗ Using the three-second rule 1. Pick a fixed point beside the road ahead — a pole, sign, tree or bridge 2. When the vehicle ahead passes it, count one-thousand-one, -two, -three 3. If you reach the point before you finish, you're following too closely 4. Slow down gradually until you have a safe distance Handbook p. 76 ↗ Know the rule
In poor road conditions, or in a vehicle longer than standard, increase to a four- or five-second count. If someone follows you too closely, slow slightly and let them pass.
Handbook p. 76 ↗ 3/4 second Typical time from perceiving danger to using the brakes
Handbook p. 76 ↗ Your stopping distance depends on: Time to see and recognize danger ahead Time from perceiving danger to braking (about 3/4 second) Weather conditions The condition of your tire treads The type and condition of your brakes Handbook p. 76 ↗ Put it into practice
The truck ahead passes a signpost and you start counting. You reach the post at "one-thousand-two." You're too close — ease off until you count to three. On a snowy road, stretch it to four or five seconds.
A useful reminder SIPDE = Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.
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 does the 'S' in the SIPDE driving system stand for? Stop Signal Steer Scan Answer: Scan
SIPDE stands for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute.
Handbook p. 75 ↗ In the SIPDE system, what happens during the 'Predict' step? You search aggressively for hazards You consider the speed, distance, and direction of hazards You carry out your decision You locate stationary objects only Answer: You consider the speed, distance, and direction of hazards
Predict involves anticipating how a hazard's speed, distance, and direction may affect you.
Handbook p. 75 ↗ How do you begin counting when applying the Three-Second Rule? When you first see the vehicle ahead When you reach the reference point When the car ahead's brake lights come on When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed reference point Answer: When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed reference point
Start counting once the vehicle ahead of you passes your chosen fixed reference point.
Handbook p. 76 ↗ When should you increase your following distance to a four- or five-second count? When driving over 55 mph on freeways In poor conditions or in a longer vehicle When driving through a school zone When driving at night in clear weather Answer: In poor conditions or in a longer vehicle
Poor conditions or unusually long vehicles call for a longer four- to five-second following distance.
Handbook p. 76 ↗ About how long does it take from perceiving danger to actually applying the brakes? About 3 seconds About 1/10 of a second About 3/4 of a second About 5 seconds Answer: About 3/4 of a second
The time from perceiving danger to braking is roughly 3/4 of a second, part of total stopping distance.
Handbook p. 76 ↗ If the vehicle behind you is following too closely, what should you do? Speed up to increase the gap Tap your brakes to warn them Move onto the shoulder and stop Slow down slightly and allow it to pass Answer: Slow down slightly and allow it to pass
Slowing down slightly to let a tailgater pass is the recommended response.
Handbook p. 76 ↗ Previous lesson Pavement markings and traffic officers Next lesson Night driving, headlights and deer More in Driving Conditions About the source Roadwise’s Minnesota course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 75, 76. 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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