Mississippi · Handbook chapter 6 · 6 min read

Chapter 6: Speed, lanes, passing and turns

Mississippi speed limits, turn signals and arm signals, following distance by car lengths, traffic lanes, the rules for passing on the left and right, turning around, and how to make left, right and multiple-lane turns.

Why this chapter matters

Speed limits, car-length following distances and the 100-foot rules for signaling and passing are classic exam numbers. This chapter covers the everyday moves you make on every drive: holding a lane, passing and turning.

Speed limits

Posted limits are for ideal conditions. Slow down on curves, near intersections, on narrow or winding roads, in heavy traffic and when weather or visibility is poor.

A school bus may go no faster than 45 mph on regular school routes and 65 mph on the interstate. Hitting a wall at 40 mph is like driving off a four-story building.

Turn signals

Signal every time you turn, change lanes, pass, or pull into or out of a parallel parking space, and do it well ahead. Signal only if you intend to turn: do not signal to warn others that the car ahead is turning, and do not use your left signal to tell the driver behind it is safe to pass. That driver must decide for themselves.

Arm signals

Used by cyclists, drivers whose signals do not work, and some antique and farm vehicles. Extend your arm fully and signal for at least 100 feet before you slow, turn, stop or change lanes.

Following distance

Following too closely is the main cause of rear-end crashes. Leave at least one car length for every 10 mph: one at 10 mph, two at 20, three at 30, four at 40, five at 50. On the interstate, keep at least seven car lengths at 70 mph. Leave more room behind large trucks and buses so you can see around them.

In a funeral procession or other motorcade, leave enough room for other vehicles to pull in safely.

Stopping distance

Total stopping distance is thinking (reaction) distance plus braking distance. The manual's chart shows the shortest distances under ideal conditions (good tires, good brakes, dry pavement). Bad weather, slick roads, fatigue or alcohol make them much longer.

Lanes

A road's number of lanes is the number of cars that could drive side by side, marked or not. On a road with more than one lane in your direction, drive in the far right lane except to pass or turn left. Never change lanes unless you can do so safely.

Passing

On a two-lane highway, follow the center line: a double solid yellow means no passing either way; with a solid and broken line, only the driver beside the broken line may pass.

On a four-lane highway or interstate, never cross the center line to pass. You may pass in either the left or right lane when lanes in your direction are separated by a broken white line.

Passing on the left: make sure the lane ahead is clear, do not tailgate the car you want to pass, signal, move over quickly but carefully, and return only when you can see the car you passed in your rearview mirror.

Passing on the right is allowed only when the vehicle ahead is turning left, on an interstate with several lanes in your direction, on a wide four-lane highway with no parked cars or obstructions, and on a wide one-way road. You may never drive onto the shoulder or off the pavement to pass.

Do not pass on hills or curves, or within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, overpass, railroad crossing, crosswalk or intersection, or anywhere your view is blocked.

Being passed: keep right and do not speed up until the other car has fully passed.

Turning around in a tight space

Start at the far right, signal, turn the wheel sharply left while creeping forward to within a few inches of the far curb; turn sharply right while backing slowly to within a few inches of the near curb; then turn left and pull forward. Repeat as needed.

Turns at intersections

More crashes happen at intersections than anywhere else. Know where you are turning, signal, get into the correct lane early, look in all directions, slow down before the crosswalk, keep your wheels straight until the turn starts, do not brake or shift during the turn, and finish in the proper lane. If traffic is blocked ahead, stop before the crosswalk and wait.

• Left turn: move into the left lane well ahead; signal and slow at least 100 feet before the intersection; wait close to the center line with wheels straight; enter just right of center and do not cut the corner; do not swing into the right lane.
• Right turn: get into the right lane well ahead; signal and slow at least 100 feet before; keep close to the right side; turn as close as possible to the right; do not swing into the left lane.
• Two drivers turning left from opposite directions: each turns to the left of the other, from the left lane into the left lane.
• One-way streets: turn from the lane nearest the curb unless markings allow others, and do not turn the wrong way onto a one-way street.
• Multiple turn lanes: follow the arrows and stay in your lane through the turn.