Allied Driving School teaches defensive driving skills. We have found that driving defensively is synonymous with driving economically. Avoiding quick stops and starts, pacing yourself in traffic, and being aware of your surroundings are all steps to increasing safety, mileage and the longevity of your vehicle.
1. How far away should you follow the vehicle in front of you?
2. How far in front of you should you be scanning the road ahead?
3. What is the difference between a yellow crosswalk and a white crosswalk?
4. Why are headlights required during the day in certain "Daylight Safety Sections"?
5. If your car is equipped with daylight running lights, are you still required to turn
on your headlights in rain or fog?
6. What should you do if you are being tailgated by another vehicle?
7. At what speed should you merge onto a freeway?
8. What is the difference between a yellow line and a white line on the road?
9. What does a blue reflector on the road mean?
10. What does a right red arrow on a traffic light mean, how is that different from a solid red light?
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Answer Key for Question 1
How far away should you follow the vehicle in front of you?
The recommended following distance is not measured in feet,
but rather in seconds. The recommended amount of time between
your car and the vehicle in front of you is 3-5 seconds. This allows
for reaction time and braking distance in the event of an emergency
situation. The faster or larger your vehicle, the more time is needed
to slow or stop your car.
Answer Key for Question 2
How far in front of you should you be scanning the road ahead?
Again, the distance is measured in time, rather than feet. The
recommended scanning area ahead of your vehicle is a minimum
of 15 seconds. This is done to give the driver other options rather
than always having to 'hit the brake'. Advance warning of
upcoming obstacles is the driver's biggest advantage in avoiding
crashes and congestion.
Answer Key for Question 3
What is the difference between a yellow crosswalk and a white
crosswalk?
Yellow crosswalks are in designated school areas.
Remember that even when school is out, children may be present,
going to or coming from the playground.
Answer Key for Question 4
Why are headlights required during the day in certain "Daylight
Safety Sections"?
A study performed by CALTRANS indicates that vehicles are more
visible with their headlights on. It is easier for cross traffic to
judge your distance and speed with your headlights on. Daylight
safety sections are often found on high speed roadways with
cross-traffic.
Answer Key for Question 5
If your car is equipped with daylight running lights, are you still
required to turn on your headlights in rain or fog?
If your vehicle is equipped with daytime running lights, you are
still required to turn on your headlights during adverse weather
conditions. The running lights are not as bright as your low beam
headlights are not aimed in the same direction and only light up
the front of the car. Turning on your headlights enables vehicles
from behind to see you better, too.
Answer Key for Question 6
What should you do if you are being tailgated by another vehicle?
Tailgating is one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes. You can
definitely control the space in front of you, what what about the
space in back? By slowing slightly and opening up more space in
front of your vehicle, you may encourage the tailgater to pass you.
At the very least, you give yourself the opportunity to brake more
gradually, and flash your brake lights, helping to avoid surprise to
the driver behind you, who may also be distracted.
Answer Key for Question 7
At what speed should you merge onto a freeway?
You should merge onto the freeway at the speed of traffic.
Regardless of the posted speed limit, you may not drive faster
or slower than is safe. Merging on too slow or fast may
cause a collision.
Answer Key for Question 8
What is the difference between a yellow line and a white line on
the road?
Yellow lines divide traffic traveling in opposite
directions, they border the left hand side of divided highways and
sometimes one-way streets. White lines separate lanes of traffic
traveling in the same direction, they also border the right hand
side of the road. A road with only white lines marking the lanes
indicates a one way street!
Answer Key for Question 9
What does a blue reflector on the road mean?
A blue reflector on the road indicates a fire hydrant. It will be
off center, indicating which side of the road the hydrant is
located on.
Answer Key for Question 10
What does a right red arrow on a traffic light mean, how is that
different from a solid red light?
A right red arrow on a traffic light indicates that movement in that
direction in not allowed until the light turns green. On a solid red
light, you may make a right turn after stopping and yielding the
right-of-way to all cross traffic.