Kansas · Handbook chapter 7 · 5 min read

Chapter 7: Safe driving: searching, speed and space

How far ahead to look, stopping distances and the effect of speed, adjusting for curves, rain, snow and ice, hydroplaning, entering and leaving freeways, ABS and stability control, following distance, space cushions, merging and passing gaps, and communicating with lights, horn and signals.

Why this chapter matters

Most crashes can be avoided by seeing trouble early and keeping space around your car. This chapter is full of time and distance figures that appear on the test.

Look ahead

• Look well down the road: about 20 to 30 seconds ahead is your visual lead. In the city, that is at least two blocks; on the highway, at least a quarter mile.
• At intersections look left, right and left again. If your view is blocked, edge forward slowly.
• Check your mirrors before changing lanes, slowing down or going down a long hill.
• A traffic light that has been green a long time may turn red before you arrive.

Stopping distance

• Perception time for an alert driver is about 3/4 second to 1 second, and reaction time is about the same.
• At 50 mph, total stopping distance is at least 268 feet. At 60 mph, about 359 feet; at 30 mph, about 123 feet.
• At 60 mph, a clear view of less than 400 feet means you are going too fast for what you can see.
• Double your speed (20 to 40 mph) and impact and braking distance become 4 times greater; triple it (20 to 60 mph) and they are 9 times greater.

Adjusting speed

• Slow down before a curve, not in it.
• Roads are most slippery when rain first starts, as water mixes with oil and dirt.
• On wet roads, drive about 10 mph slower. On packed snow, cut your speed in half or more.
• Shady spots and bridges and overpasses freeze first.
• Studded snow tires are allowed from November 1 to April 1.
• Hydroplaning: tires begin to ride up on water above about 35 mph, and in heavy rain can lose all contact at 45 to 50 mph. Badly worn tires can hydroplane at 25 to 30 mph. Slow down in the rain.
• Keep pace with traffic. Driving more than 15 mph slower than traffic is as dangerous as speeding; if cars bunch up behind you, pull over and let them pass.

Entering and leaving freeways

• Use the acceleration lane to reach traffic speed. Do not stop at the end of it. Look over your shoulder, signal and merge into a gap.
• Get into the exit lane about half a mile before your exit, and do not slow down until you are on the deceleration lane.

ABS and stability control

• ABS lets you brake and steer at the same time. Remember Search, Stomp, Steer: look for open space, press the brake firmly, steer to the space.
• An ABS light that stays on means the system is not working.
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP) brakes individual wheels to reduce skids; keep steering where you want to go.

Space around your car

• Keep a two-second following distance, plus more for bad weather or traffic. Leave extra room behind motorcycles, large vehicles, when towing, at night and when being tailgated.
• If tailgated, move over if you can, or slow gradually to encourage a pass, and add 2 to 3 seconds to your own following distance. Never brake suddenly.
• Stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.
• Avoid driving beside other cars on multilane roads; keep to the center of your lane, and give parked cars, pedestrians and bicyclists extra room.
• Merging or changing lanes: look for a 4 to 6 second gap.
• Crossing an intersection takes about 3 to 5 seconds; a right turn and speeding up takes 12 to 15 seconds, a left 15 to 18 seconds.
• Do not turn just because an oncoming driver is signaling; wait until they start to turn.

Passing

• A pass can take 20 to 30 seconds, so pass only one vehicle at a time.
• An oncoming car more than 25 seconds away seems to stand still. If you can see it getting closer, it is probably too close to pass.
• Do not start to pass within 1/3 of a mile of a hill or curve, or with a railroad crossing in the next 20 to 25 seconds.
• Return when you see the whole front of the passed car in your rearview mirror. When being passed, keep right and hold your speed.

Communicating

• Use headlights to be seen. Kansas requires headlights whenever your wipers are on.
• Use a light tap of the horn to get attention, and a sharp blast in danger. Do not honk to hurry people, to complain, to greet friends, or near blind pedestrians.
• If you break down, get off the road, use hazard flashers, place flares 200 to 300 feet behind you, and tie a white cloth to the antenna, mirror or door handle.
• Signal at least 3 to 4 seconds before you move, and cancel the signal afterward. Tap your brakes three or four times to warn drivers behind you when slowing where they would not expect it.