A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
A space cushion on your sides gives you room to move in an emergency. Behind you, you can't control the gap directly, but you can help other drivers keep it.
Space to the side:
Don't drive beside other vehicles for long periods; you may be in their blind spot
Don't crowd the center line; keep as much room as possible from oncoming traffic
Move over a lane or adjust speed for vehicles entering the road
Give bicyclists and pedestrians, especially children, extra room
When a tractor trailer passes you, move to the far side of your lane
Keep extra space from parked cars; people and vehicles may come out
Steer a middle course between two hazards, such as oncoming and parked vehicles. If one is more dangerous, like a large truck, leave a little more space on that side.
Take hazards one at a time when possible: if overtaking a bicycle while a vehicle is coming, slow down and let the vehicle pass first so you can give the bicycle more room.
If you're slower than other traffic on a multi-lane road, drive in the right-most lane. If you're holding others up, pull to the side when safe and let them pass; some two-lane roads have turnouts or passing lanes.
Being tailgated: move right if there's a right lane. If not, wait until the road ahead is clear and passing is legal, then slowly reduce speed to encourage the pass. Never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater.
A pickup rides your bumper on a two-lane highway with no right lane. Don't tap your brakes. When you reach a stretch where passing is legal and the road ahead is clear, ease off the gas slightly so the driver can pass.
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.
If you are being tailgated and there is no available right lane to move into, what should you do?
Tap your brakes to warn them
Speed up to open more distance
Slowly reduce speed once passing is legal
Stop on the shoulder right away
Answer: Slowly reduce speed once passing is legal
Wait until the road ahead is clear and passing is legal, then slowly reduce speed to encourage the tailgater to pass.