Roadwise States Wisconsin Driving lessons Speed & the Four-Second Rule Wisconsin driving lesson · The Basics
Speed & the Four-Second Rule 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 14, 15 Drive at a speed where you can always stop safely. The posted limit is a maximum, not a target: in rain, traffic or poor visibility, the safe speed is lower.
Four Second Following Distance Rule Pick a stationary object ahead (tree, sign, house). Count “one thousand one” to “one thousand four.” Reach it before you finish and you're going too fast.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
Add one second for every adverse condition, such as heavier traffic, rain, snow and/or ice.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
It is illegal to go over the posted speed limit, including to pass another vehicle. Racing and reckless driving are illegal.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
You may need to go slower than the limit depending on visibility and road conditions.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
Going too slow can back up traffic and cause a crash. Police can ticket you for driving too fast or too slow.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
Drive in the far-right lane of a multi-lane road if you're slower than most traffic.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
Try to keep the same speed as other traffic. When merging, enter at the speed traffic is moving and don't force another driver to change speed or direction.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Acceleration lane (on-ramp) The entrance lane on a highway where you speed up to merge. It's your responsibility to find a safe gap in traffic to merge legally.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Deceleration lane (off-ramp) The exit lane where you gradually slow down after leaving high-speed traffic.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
The faster you go, the more distance it takes to turn, slow or stop.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ 10–15 seconds How far ahead you need to be able to see for good vehicle control
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Slow down for Curved roads or hills Rain, snow or hail starting (try not to drive on icy roads) Parking lots, shopping malls and downtown areas Schools, playgrounds and residential neighborhoods Heavy traffic Handbook p. 15 ↗ Put it into practice
It's snowing and traffic is heavy. That's two adverse conditions, so stretch your following distance from four seconds to six.
A useful reminder Wisconsin's default limits: 15 in school zones with children present, 25 residential, 35 in outlying city/village areas.
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.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in a residential area? 35 mph 25 mph 30 mph 20 mph Answer: 25 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the residential speed limit is 25 mph.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ What is the normal school zone speed limit when children are present? 20 mph 10 mph 15 mph 25 mph Answer: 15 mph
The normal school zone speed limit when children are present is 15 mph.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ What is the maximum speed limit in outlying parts of cities/villages with no posted speed limit? 30 mph 25 mph 45 mph 35 mph Answer: 35 mph
The maximum speed with no posted limit in outlying parts of cities/villages is 35 mph.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Using the four-second following distance rule, what should you do if you reach your chosen object before finishing the count? Slow down; you're too close Maintain your current speed Speed up to pass Switch lanes immediately Answer: Slow down; you're too close
Reaching the object before 'one thousand four' means you're following too closely and must slow down.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ You should add extra seconds to the four-second following distance rule when: Your headlights are on You are driving on a freeway The road is a rural two-lane highway Traffic, rain, snow or ice make conditions worse Answer: Traffic, rain, snow or ice make conditions worse
Add a second for every adverse condition such as heavier traffic, rain, snow and/or ice.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ When merging into freeway traffic from an acceleration lane, you should: Match the speed of traffic already in the flow Merge as slowly as possible Stop and wait for a complete gap Force other drivers to slow down for you Answer: Match the speed of traffic already in the flow
Enter at the same speed the traffic is currently moving when merging.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Previous lesson Right-of-Way Next lesson Intersections, Stopping & Sight Distance About the source Roadwise’s Wisconsin course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 14, 15. 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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