Roadwise States Wisconsin Driving lessons Space Between Vehicles Wisconsin driving lesson · The Basics
Space Between Vehicles A 3-minute lesson from the Wisconsin 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 The Basics
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 16, 17 Space is your safety cushion. Keep room in front, behind and beside you, so you have time to react when someone else makes a mistake.
Know the rule
Give extra space to large vehicles so you can see around them and they can see you.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Know the rule
If a vehicle is driving right next to you, move ahead or drop behind it when it's safe.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Know the rule
Space in front: use the four-second following distance rule when you're behind someone.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Add extra seconds of space in front when Roads are slippery, icy or covered in snow The driver behind wants to pass you You're following trucks, buses, vans, large vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles You have a heavy load or trailer Someone is following you too closely There are emergency vehicles ahead You come to a railroad crossing You stop on a hill or incline Handbook p. 17 ↗ 6–8 seconds How often to check your rearview mirror for tailgaters
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Know the rule
If someone is tailgating you, slowly reduce your speed. This should encourage them to drive around you.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Know the rule
Help the driver behind you: keep a steady speed and signal in advance before slowing or turning. Give extra space to someone who can't see behind their vehicle.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Know the rule
To pick up or drop off passengers, find a safe place out of traffic.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Know the rule
If you're slower than most traffic, use the far-right lane of multi-lane roads, or pull over to the side so others can pass on the left.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Know the rule
Space to cross: before crossing traffic or a multi-lane road, make sure there's room to get all the way across. Look ahead, check for vehicles and pedestrians, and be ready to stop.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Put it into practice
A pickup is riding your bumper on a two-lane road. Slowly reduce your speed so the driver is encouraged to go around you, and add extra seconds of space in front of you.
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.
You should give extra following distance in front of you when: You just changed lanes The roads are slippery, icy or snow-covered You are on a straight, dry highway Traffic is light Answer: The roads are slippery, icy or snow-covered
Slippery, icy or snow-covered roads call for extra following distance.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ How often should you check your rearview mirror for a tailgater? Every 6 to 8 seconds Every 30 seconds Every 1 to 2 seconds Every minute Answer: Every 6 to 8 seconds
Check your rearview mirror every 6 to 8 seconds to watch for tailgaters.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ If someone is tailgating you, what should you do? Brake suddenly to warn them Swerve to change lanes immediately Slowly reduce your speed to encourage them to pass Speed up to lose them Answer: Slowly reduce your speed to encourage them to pass
Slowly reduce your speed; this should encourage a tailgater to drive around you.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Which of these requires extra space in front of your vehicle? Making a right turn on green Driving under 25 mph Driving on a straight, empty road Approaching a railroad crossing Answer: Approaching a railroad crossing
You may need additional space in front when you come across a railroad crossing.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Before crossing a multi-lane road, you should: Only check for vehicles in the nearest lane Make sure there is enough room to get all the way across Cross as quickly as possible to limit exposure Wait for a driver to wave you across Answer: Make sure there is enough room to get all the way across
Make sure there's enough room to get all the way across before crossing traffic.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ You should give extra following distance when stopped on a hill or incline. True False Answer: True
Extra space in front is needed when you stop on a hill or incline.
Handbook p. 17 ↗ Previous lesson Intersections, Stopping & Sight Distance Next lesson Turning, U-Turns & Y-Turns About the source Roadwise’s Wisconsin course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 16, 17. 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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