A 3-minute lesson from the Missouri course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Vehicles moving in the same direction and lane at the same speed can't hit one another. Crashes happen when drivers go faster or slower than the flow. Keep pace, watch your mirrors, and plan stops well ahead.
Know the rule
Driving faster than traffic means you keep passing others, and every pass is a chance for a collision. Speeding saves no more than a few minutes an hour.
Driving much slower than traffic can be just as bad: vehicles bunch up behind you and impatient drivers pass. If vehicles pile up behind you, pull over and let them pass when it's safe.
Watch for large trucks and small, underpowered vehicles on steep grades or entering traffic. They lose speed on long hills and take longer to get up to speed. Spot them early; slowing suddenly can cause a crash.
Cars are stacking up behind you on a two-lane highway because you're well below the flow of traffic. When it's safe, pull over and let them pass. Going much slower than others can be as dangerous as speeding.
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.
According to the handbook, how much time does speeding usually save?
About 15 minutes an hour
No more than a few minutes an hour
About a third of the trip
Nearly half the trip
Answer: No more than a few minutes an hour
The guide says speeding does not save more than a few minutes an hour, while each pass adds a chance of collision.