Rhode Island · Handbook chapter 7 · 5 min read

Chapter 7: Defensive driving and sharing the road

IPDE, the Smith System, the three-second and four-second rules, lane positions, motorcycles, trucks, night driving, pedestrians, blind pedestrians, school buses and bicyclists in Rhode Island.

Why this chapter matters

Defensive driving means expecting other road users to make mistakes and leaving yourself room to react. Rhode Island's manual gives several named systems and distances that turn up on the test.

Systems for defensive driving

• IPDE: Identify hazards, Predict conflicts, Decide what to do, Execute the action.
• Zones: six lane-wide areas around your car. An open zone is space you can drive into freely; a closed zone is blocked.
• Visual search: look 12 to 15 seconds ahead for your target area and check the 4 to 6 second range for changes, with regular mirror and gauge checks.
• Smith System keys: leave yourself an out; aim high in steering; get the big picture (a block ahead in town, half a mile on highways); keep your eyes moving; make sure others see you.

Following and stopping distance

• Three-second rule: when the car ahead passes a fixed point, count; if you reach the point before "three," you are too close. Add a second or two in bad weather.
• Four-second stopping rule: pick a fixed object ahead and count four seconds. If you reach it first, you could not stop in time; slow down.
• Lane position 1 is the middle of the lane (normal). Position 2 is 3 to 6 inches from the left line (hazard on the right, or preparing a left turn). Position 3 is 3 to 6 inches from the right line (hazard on the left, or preparing a right turn).

Motorcycles

• Riders often slow by downshifting or rolling off the throttle, so no brake light comes on. Keep 3 to 4 seconds behind them.
• A motorcycle looks farther away and slower than it is, and is easy to hide behind door posts, mirrors or other cars. Look twice before turning or changing lanes.
• Riders change lane position for good reasons: to be seen and to avoid wind, debris and passing traffic.
• Rhode Island requires helmets for passengers, for riders under 21, and for all new riders during their first year. All riders must wear eye protection.

Large trucks

• Trucks have big blind spots ("no zones"): directly in front, along both front sides, and behind (over 50 feet behind a trailer).
• Do not linger beside a truck. Pass or drop back.
• Stay far enough back that you can see the truck's side mirrors; the manual says at least 50 feet if you want the driver to see you.
• Trucks swing wide on turns in town.

Night driving

• Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise, whenever you cannot see 500 feet ahead, and whenever wipers are in use for rain, sleet or snow.
• In fog, rain or snow use low beams; high beams reflect back and cut your view.
• 500/200 rule: dim your high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.
• If oncoming lights dazzle you, look toward the right edge of the road or fog line.
• The rear plate must be lit so it can be read from 60 feet.

Pedestrians

• Even when pedestrians cross carelessly, the driver must yield. Watch for children, older people and anyone stepping out between parked cars.
• Every intersection of public roads is a legal crosswalk, marked or not.
• Where there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the left, facing traffic.
• A pedestrian with a white cane or guide dog: stop before the intersection and yield. Failing to yield can mean a fine of up to $1,000. Blind pedestrians listen to traffic, so be extra careful in quiet electric or hybrid cars.

School buses

• When a school bus shows flashing red lights, traffic from both directions must stop and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing. This applies on private roads and in parking lots too.
• First offense: a fine of up to $300 and/or a license suspension of up to 30 days.
• You need not stop if the bus is on the other side of a divided highway (with a barrier, median, guardrail or similar), or if the bus is in a loading zone.

Bicyclists

• Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers. They ride as far right as practical, no more than two abreast.
• Riders and bike passengers aged 15 or younger must wear a helmet.
• Give at least 3 to 5 feet when passing, do not pass with oncoming traffic near, and do not honk as you approach.
• Yield to oncoming cyclists when turning left, and check for cyclists on your right before turning right.
• Do not drive in a marked bike lane, except to cross it when turning or using a driveway; yield to cyclists first.
• Check for cyclists before opening a door into traffic. Rhode Island law forbids opening a door until it is safe.