Mississippi · Handbook chapter 2 · 4 min read

Chapter 2: Your vehicle and safe driving basics

Mississippi's equipment rules (brakes, horn, lights, muffler, tires), the squatted vehicle law, vision and fatigue, getting ready to drive, hand position, and the cell phone and texting law.

Why this chapter matters

Mississippi law sets exact standards for brakes, horns and lights, and the exam likes those numbers. This chapter also covers fatigue and distraction, the habits that cause many crashes, and Mississippi's ban on texting while driving.

Equipment the law requires

Besides the headlights you may have no more than one spotlight and three auxiliary lights, none of them red or blue, and no more than four lights besides the headlights may be on at once.

Mississippi does not require a rearview mirror, though one is recommended. A truck whose body blocks the view behind must have a side mirror.

The squatted vehicle law

You may not drive a passenger vehicle whose suspension, frame or chassis has been altered so the front fender sits four or more inches higher than the rear fender. The height is measured straight up from the ground through the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender.

Tires

Check tire pressure with a gauge and match the PSI in the owner's manual or on the driver's door jamb. Check tires once a month and before long trips. For tread, use the penny test: put Lincoln's head into the shallowest groove. If part of his head is covered, the tread is safe.

Vision and fatigue

• If your license requires corrective lenses, always wear them when driving, and avoid dark or tinted lenses at night.
• Fatigue slows decisions and affects vision. Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
• On long trips, stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours, bring a companion, and check medicine labels for drowsiness.
• Do not follow the same vehicles for a long time, keep your eyes moving and keep the car cool.

Before you drive

Have your license with you, adjust the seat so you reach the wheel and pedals, fasten your seat belt, and adjust the rearview and side mirrors.

Hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock, on the outside of the rim, with a firm but gentle grip and thumbs up along the face. The old 10 and 2 position is no longer recommended because it is dangerous with airbags. Never steer while gripping the wheel from the inside.

Watch for children (especially near schools, playgrounds and homes), cyclists, car doors opening from parked cars, vehicles pulling out, sudden turns and stops, and reckless drivers: get out of their way if you can.

Distractions

A distraction is anything that takes your attention from driving: eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the task.

Mississippi law bans using a hand-held phone to write, send or read a text message or to read or post on social networking sites while driving. Text messages include instant messages and email, but not emergency, traffic or weather alerts or messages about navigating the vehicle. A hands-free or voice-operated device is not a hand-held phone, and the manual recommends one if you must make a call.

Other distractions to avoid:

• Emotions: if you are angry, upset, ill, frightened or grieving, let someone else drive. Avoid stressful conversations.
• Eating, unbuckled children and loose pets (use a carrier or kennel).
• Headphones and loud music, which can hide sirens and whistles.
• Windshield clutter: no unofficial stickers or signs, no mirrored window material, nothing hanging from the mirror, and nothing loose on the front seat.