Each kind of road brings its own risks: heavy traffic and sudden stops in cities, narrow, dark and fast rural roads, and high-speed merging on interstates. Adjust your habits to where you are.
Know the rule
Bicyclists ride to the right of motor traffic, so watch for a crash between a bicyclist going straight through an intersection and a motorist turning right.
Handbook p. 33 ↗Know the rule
If you're not in the proper lane to make a turn, continue to the next intersection and turn there.
Handbook p. 33 ↗City driving:
- Leave a "margin of safety" around your vehicle and signal your moves
- Watch far enough ahead to spot danger early
- Avoid driving in another driver's blind spot
- Never weave in and out of traffic; plan lane changes ahead
- Watch for cars pulling out and pedestrians stepping from between parked cars
- On a one-way street, use center lanes for through travel, outside lanes to turn
Know the rule
If you can't see the inside rear-view mirror of the car ahead, you're probably in that driver's blind spot.
Handbook p. 33 ↗Rural roads can be more dangerous than city traffic because:
- The road may be narrower
- Lighting is often poorer
- Travel speeds may be higher
Know the rule
Secondary roads are built for local travel: hills are steeper, curves sharper and sight distances often very short, so they can't be driven at primary-highway speeds.
Handbook p. 33 ↗Know the rule
Interstates are safer because they separate opposing traffic, have fewer entry points, and have no railroad crossings, sharp curves, stop signs or traffic signals.
Handbook p. 34 ↗Interstate rules:
- Plan your trip and check water, oil, tires and gas first
- Enter using the acceleration lane until you match traffic speed, then merge
- Keep right; use the left lane(s) to pass
- Don't tailgate: rear-end crashes are among the most frequent here
- Stop at rest areas often, preferably at least once every 100 miles
- Never stop in the travel lane; exit by entering the deceleration lane without slowing
Know the rule
If you miss your exit, don't slow down, back up or turn around. Go on to the next exit.
Handbook p. 34 ↗Know the rule
If you enter an interstate the wrong way, pull onto the right shoulder, stop, and turn around when clear. Watch for DO NOT ENTER signs.
Handbook p. 34 ↗Know the rule
On a breakdown, move far off the road, tie a white cloth on the aerial or left door handle and raise the hood; use flashers or parking lights at night.
Handbook p. 34 ↗Know the rule
It's dangerous to drive far below the posted interstate limit. Follow the flow of traffic if you can do so without speeding.
Handbook p. 34 ↗Put it into practice
You're in the left lane of I-85 and your exit ramp is passing on the right. Don't brake or cut across. Continue to the next exit, get off, and use a service road or side street to get back.