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New Hampshire driving lesson · Visual Search and Space Management

Space to the sides and behind

A 2-minute lesson from the New Hampshire 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
2 minutes
Course unit
Visual Search and Space Management
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
23, 38

Space on your sides gives you an escape route if something goes wrong, and managing the space behind you keeps you from being rear-ended. Both depend on where you place your car and how predictably you drive.

Space to the side:

  • Don't drive next to other vehicles for long; you may be in their blind spot and lose escape room
  • Don't crowd the center line; keep space between you and oncoming traffic
  • Make room for vehicles entering a multi-lane or limited access road: move over a lane or adjust speed
  • Leave stopping space for pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Leave room for bicyclists, children playing, joggers and pedestrians along the road
Handbook p. 38 ↗

Know the rule

When an oncoming vehicle is on a curve, or is a large vehicle, be careful not to crowd the center so it can pass safely.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

Know the rule

Space behind: drive at a steady speed, signal in advance, and increase your following distance in front so you have a safe stopping distance.

Handbook p. 38 ↗

Know the rule

If you're being tailgated unsafely, find a safe place to pull over and let the vehicle pass.

Handbook p. 23 ↗
Following distance (space in front)
Don't linger beside a large vehicle

Blind spot

An area around a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors; check it with head checks.

Handbook p. 23 ↗

Put it into practice

A car is merging from an on-ramp into your lane. If the left lane is clear, move over a lane; if not, adjust your speed so the driver has room to merge.

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.

Why should drivers avoid driving next to other vehicles for long periods?
  1. It may sit in a blind spot, cutting crash-avoidance space
  2. It increases wind resistance for both vehicles
  3. It wastes fuel compared to following behind
  4. It is illegal on all New Hampshire roads

Answer: It may sit in a blind spot, cutting crash-avoidance space

Driving alongside another vehicle for long periods puts it in a blind spot and limits space to avoid a crash.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
What should drivers avoid crowding to keep space between themselves and oncoming traffic?
  1. The right edge line
  2. The center line marking
  3. The stop line
  4. The crosswalk line

Answer: The center line marking

Drivers should avoid crowding the center line to maintain space from oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
What should a driver do to maintain a safe distance from vehicles following behind them?
  1. Speed up periodically to create separation
  2. Brake frequently to discourage tailgating
  3. Drive at a steady speed and signal in advance
  4. Change lanes often to break up a line of traffic

Answer: Drive at a steady speed and signal in advance

A steady speed and advance signaling help maintain a safe space behind the vehicle.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
Drivers should provide adequate stopping space for pedestrians in crosswalks and space for bicyclists along the road.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Drivers are advised to leave stopping space for pedestrians and space around bicyclists.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
What should a driver do to allow space for vehicles entering a multi-lane roadway?
  1. Slow to a near stop in the entry lane
  2. Maintain the exact same lane and speed
  3. Speed up to close the gap
  4. Move over a lane or adjust the vehicle's speed

Answer: Move over a lane or adjust the vehicle's speed

Drivers should move over a lane or adjust speed to allow entering vehicles space.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
When an oncoming vehicle is on a curve or is a large vehicle, drivers should move toward the center line to give it room.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Drivers must be careful not to crowd the center line when an approaching vehicle is on a curve or is large, so it can pass safely.

Handbook p. 38 ↗
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