Driving on Your Side of the Road:

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The law requires you to drive on the right side of the road. Driving on the left side is legal only in some cases, such as on one-way streets and while passing. When you are moving slower than the posted speed limit on a multi-lane highway, drive in the extreme right lane unless you are passing, turning left or avoiding an obstruction.

Adjusting Your Speed to Driving Conditions:

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The speed at which you drive determines the distance required to stop your vehicle. Stopping distance also depends on your reaction time. Stopping distances are longer at higher speeds because a vehicle travels farther during the driver's reaction time, and it takes more braking distance to come to a full stop. Even with ideal conditions, if you are traveling 55 miles per hour your vehicle requires approximately 211 feet to stop completely.

Driving at a high speed is more dangerous because each additional mile traveled per hour reduces the driver's ability to control the vehicle. Speed also increases the likelihood that a crash will result in serious injury or death.

On the other hand, driving below the posted speed limit can also be dangerous. If you must drive slower, you should still observe the minimum speed limit. At places where it is unsafe to pass, the slow driver forces other drivers to creep along behind or take unnecessary risks while trying to pass. Very slow driving is especially dangerous just after you have passed the crest of a hill or rounded a curve. Faster-moving vehicles can crash into the slower vehicle before they can slow down. For this reason, watch for slowÐmoving vehicles such as heavy trucks or farm vehicles. If traffic is collecting behind you, it is wise to pull over to the side of the road, stop and allow the vehicles to pass.

Studies show that the vehicle moving at a speed considerably below the posted limit is much more likely to cause or be involved in a crash than the vehicle moving at a normal speed.

• Never drive faster than the posted speed limit or at a speed that is unreasonable or unwise given the existing conditions.
  
  
• Allow a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you (the "two second rule").
  
  
• The faster you are moving, the farther ahead you must be able to see to allow enough distance for stopping.

Conditions often change as you drive. You will drive through different areas such as open country, residential communities and school zones. Watch for changing conditions and adjust your speed accordingly. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 35 mph in cities and towns. Special speed limits may be posted for special areas. To be a safe driver, you must often drive slower than the posted limit, but you should never driver faster.

Maximum Speed Limits
In Cities and Towns	35
For School Buses	45
For School Activity Buses	55
Outside Cities and Towns	55
For Interstates	70

Rounding a Curve:

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The best way to handle a curve:

• Slow down before you enter the curve so that you will not need to brake while you are in the curve.
  
  
• Gradually increase your speed to maintain the traction necessary for good control of the vehicle as you round the curve.
  
  
• If you must brake in the curve, apply the brakes gradually until you are sure it is safe to keep continuous pressure on the brake pedal.
  
  
• Begin to turn the vehicle just prior to the point where the road begins to turn.
  
  
• Stay on your side of the road and drive as far to the right as you can.

If you encounter a curve while traveling downhill:

• consider the pull of gravity;
  
  
• shift to a lower gear before moving downhill; and
  
  
• begin to brake earlier and approach the curve more slowly than you would on a level roadway.

Turning:

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Reduce the vehicle’s speed before making the turn and then accelerate slightly. For right turns, stay close to the right edge of the road, so that another vehicle cannot move between your vehicle and the curb.

Motorcycles and bicycles are especially hard to see during a turn. Always give the proper signal and look before turning to make sure that you can turn safely.

Following:

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Following too closely is a leading cause of traffic crashes. Maintain plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead. If the car ahead stops suddenly, you will need time to react. On the open road, keep enough distance between you and the car ahead so that a passing vehicle can safely move into and occupy the space. Remember to follow the "two second rule".

Changing Lanes:

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On a highway with multiple lanes of traffic, check the lane you are changing to, as well as the lane beyond, to be certain that another vehicle is not planning to move into the same space.

Passing:

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When passing another vehicle:

1. Look ahead and behind to determine when it is safe to pass.
   
   
2. If it is safe to pass, signal to alert the drivers ahead and behind you of your intention so they can plan their moves accordingly.
   
   
3. Give a left turn signal so the driver behind you will know that you are about to pull out and pass.
   
   
4. Blow the horn to signal the driver ahead.

The horn signal places the driver of the car you are passing under a legal obligation to help you to pass. While passing, be sure you have plenty of room and keep a steady speed. You cannot pass safely unless you can see far enough ahead to insure that you can get back to the original lane of travel before you meet oncoming traffic. The law requires at least two feet of clearance between your car and the vehicle or bicycle you are passing. You have not passed safely if the vehicle you have passed must slow down to allow you back into your correct lane. Never exceed the posted speed limit while passing.

Places where passing is always unsafe and usually illegal:

• at intersections in cities and towns or at railroad crossings;
  
  
• at marked intersections in rural areas;
  
  
• on any curve or hill where the driver cannot see at least 500 feet ahead;
  
  
• wherever there is a solid yellow line in the driver’s lane;
  
  
• wherever there is a double solid yellow line;
  
  
• at intersections or crosswalks where a car has stopped to allow people to cross the street; and
  
  
• wherever the driver cannot see that the road is clear of traffic far enough ahead to pass safely.

Passing on the right:

Passing on the right is against the law except in areas where it is specifically permitted. Passing on the right places your vehicle on the blind side of the car you are passing. The car you are passing could unexpectedly make a right turn or pull over to the right side of the road. Exceptions where passing on the right is allowed: on highways having at least two lanes traveling in each direction; on one-way streets where all lanes of traffic move in the same direction; when passing a vehicle that is in the left-turn lane; and/or when driving in a lane set aside for right turns. On three-lane highways, you must not pass except in the center lane, and then only where the center lane is marked for passing in your direction. Exception: When the car in the center lane is making a left turn.

When your vehicle is being passed:

When you are being passed, you are required to help the other driver to pass. If the driver of the passing car blows the horn, move to the right edge of the road. Never increase your speed. If you increase speed and fail to give way to a passing vehicle, you will be charged with a misdemeanor if a crash occurs resulting in bodily injury or property damage.

Backing:

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There are several rules you should follow when you must back your car.

1. Before entering your car, check behind it for small objects or children - once you are in the driver's seat, it is hard to see them;
2. To maintain a full view of what is behind the car, steer with your left hand and look over your right shoulder through the back window - do not depend on mirrors alone or looking through the side window;
3. Back very slowly, not more than 10 mph - your car is harder to control and to stop when it is backing.

Parking:

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Always park on the right side of the road, except on one-way streets.

Before pulling out from a parallel parking space, check for approaching traffic and give a left turn signal, unless you are parked on the left side of a one-way street.

If you are driving and notice that a car ahead of you is pulling out from a parallel parking space, slow down and be prepared to stop.

Places where you should not park:

• at an intersection or in front of a driveway;
  
  
• within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street or within 15 feet of the intersecting right–of–way lines if there is no curb;
  
  
• on a crosswalk, sidewalk or bridge;
  
  
• within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or entrance to a fire station;
  
  
• on the paved or primary–travel portion of any highway — parking on the shoulder is also against the law unless the parked vehicle can be seen by approaching drivers from both directions for a distance of at least 200 feet;
  
  
• on the roadway side of another vehicle (double parking);
  
  
• where there are no-parking signs;
  
  
• within one block of a fire or fire truck in city limits or within 400 feet of a fire or fire truck outside the city;
  
  
• anywhere within the right–of–way of an interstate highway, except in designated parking areas or in cases of an emergencies; and
  
  
• parking spaces designated for handicapped use unless your vehicle is displaying a handicapped license plate or placard.