New Mexico · Handbook chapter 4 · 4 min read

Starting, steering and stopping, scanning ahead and at intersections, the 10-second look-ahead, checking blind spots, backing up, using headlights and high beams, the horn, emergency signals and turn signals.

Why this chapter matters

Safe driving is mostly about seeing and being seen. This chapter covers how to look around you, how to use your lights and horn, and how to tell others what you are about to do.

Starting, steering and stopping

• Set the parking brake before starting. With an automatic, the shifter must be in park.
• Accelerate gradually; a fast start can spin the wheels.
• Hold the wheel at 10 and 2 or 9 and 3 o'clock, knuckles outside the rim. Use hand-over-hand steering for sharp corners, and straighten the wheel by hand afterward.
• Check your speedometer often; it is easy to go faster than you think, especially after leaving a highway.
• Look far enough ahead to avoid panic stops.

Scanning

• Look ahead at least 10 seconds. In the city, that is about one block.
• Intersections: look left and right before you enter, and again just before moving from a stop. Look across to be sure your path is clear. If your view is blocked, edge forward slowly.
• Be extra watchful just after a light turns green, when cross traffic may rush the light.
• Railroad crossings: never assume no train is coming; that assumption is a leading cause of crossing deaths.
• Behind you: check mirrors often, especially when changing lanes, slowing, backing or going down a long hill.

Changing lanes

1. Check your mirrors.
2. Look over your shoulder for the blind spots near your rear corners.
3. Check quickly, keeping track of traffic ahead.
4. Check the far lane in case someone else is moving into the same lane.

Backing up

Check behind the car before you get in. Turn and look through the rear window, back slowly, and get someone outside to help if you can.

Using your lights

• Use high beams when no one is coming; they let you see twice as far.
• Dim them within about one block of an oncoming vehicle, and use low beams within 200 feet when following someone.
• Use low beams in fog, snow or heavy rain; high beams reflect back as glare.
• Never drive on parking lights alone.
• If you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. Turn them on as it gets dark and when driving away from a rising or setting sun.

Using your horn

A light tap warns a pedestrian or cyclist moving into your lane, a driver drifting into your lane or not paying attention, or before a blind hill, curve or alley. Use a sharp blast when a child or older person is about to step into the street, when a vehicle may hit you, or when you have lost control.

If you break down

Get off the road if you can and turn on your emergency flashers. If you cannot get off, stop where others can see you, not just over a hill or around a curve. Place flares behind the car, and never stand in the roadway.

Stay out of blind spots

Do not ride beside and slightly behind another vehicle. When passing, get through the other driver's blind spot quickly, and never stay beside a truck or bus.

Signaling

• Signal every time you turn, change lanes, merge or park, even if no one seems to be around.
• Signal at least 100 feet before you turn.
• If a vehicle is about to pull out between you and your turn, wait until you pass it to signal.
• Make sure the signal is off afterward.
• Slow down as early as is safe, so your brake lights warn the driver behind you.