Missouri · Handbook chapter 6 · 4 min read

Chapter 6: Safe driving tips for everyday driving

Missouri rules for seat belts and child restraints, defensive driving, posture and steering, the three-second rule, space around your car, stopping distance, signaling, horn use, slow driving, carbon monoxide, deer and tires, and what to do when stopped by police.

Why this chapter matters

Most crashes come from everyday mistakes: following too closely, not signaling, not seeing a deer in time. This chapter's habits and numbers show up on the written test.

Seat belts

Missouri law requires the driver and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts, and all passengers of an intermediate license holder. Wear the lap belt low across the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest, never under the arm or behind the back. Air bags do not replace belts. Sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat, and a rear-facing infant seat must never face a front air bag.

Child restraints

Defensive driving

Keep your eyes moving and check mirrors every few seconds. Expect others to make mistakes, such as running a stop sign. At intersections, look left and right even if others have a red light.

Posture and steering

Sit upright, close enough to reach the pedals with elbows in front of you, both hands on the wheel. Hold the wheel with your left hand between 7 and 9 o'clock and your right between 3 and 5 o'clock. Turn corners hand over hand. Never turn the key to lock while moving; the steering will lock.

Following distance: the three-second rule

When the car ahead passes a fixed object, count slowly to three ("one-thousand one" and so on). Reaching the object before you finish counting means you are following too closely.

Space around you

• If you are tailgated, move right if you can; otherwise slow down gradually to encourage the driver to pass. Never brake suddenly to discourage a tailgater.
• If you must drive slowly, pull over and let traffic pass.
• Avoid driving beside other cars on multi-lane roads. Keep away from oncoming traffic and parked cars.
• Deal with hazards one at a time: for example, let an oncoming car pass before you pass a bicycle.

Stopping distance

Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance. The guide's chart assumes a reaction time of 1.5 seconds and good brakes, tires, weather and road. Speed, fatigue and bad brakes all lengthen it.

Letting others know

Signal before changing lanes, turning, merging or parking, at least 100 feet ahead, but wait until you pass other driveways or streets so drivers do not misread you. Make sure the signal turns off afterwards. Use the horn only to warn others, never in anger.

Driving too slowly

It is illegal to drive slower than a posted minimum in normal conditions, or so slowly that you block traffic. Slower is not always safer.

Carbon monoxide

Never run the engine in a garage or in a parked car with the windows closed, do not leave vents open when following closely, and fix a faulty exhaust.

Deer

• Deer seldom travel alone. Be most alert near fields, streams and gardens.
• Most deer crashes happen in January, May, and October through December, mostly from sunset to midnight and around sunrise.
• Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic, to spot their eyes.
• If a crash cannot be avoided, do not swerve. Check behind before braking hard, since heavy braking can make the car's nose dip.
• Report the crash to police and to the Department of Conservation.

Tires

Check pressure against the door jamb or manual. Use the penny test: put a penny head-first into the tread; if part of the portrait's head is hidden, the tread is deep enough; below about 2/32 inch, grip in bad weather drops sharply.

When stopped by police

Signal and pull over, turn off the engine and radio, stay in the car with hands on the wheel, and turn on the interior light at night. Tell the officer about any weapon. Wait for instructions before reaching for documents. Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt, but refusing to sign may lead to arrest. Contest a ticket in court, not at the roadside.