Understanding Vehicle Speed

Drive at a speed where you can always safely stop.

Use the “Four Second Following Distance Rule.” To do this pick out a stationary object as far ahead as you can clearly see. This object could be a tree, sign or house. Start counting “one thousand one, one thousand two,” count to one thousand four. If you reach the object before you finish saying, “one thousand four,” you are going too fast. Add a second for every adverse condition such as heavier traffic, rain, snow and/or ice.

Speed limits:

Speed limits are the fastest speed you are allowed to drive in the area you are in. These signs are on the side of most roads.

It is illegal to go over the speed limit that is on the sign.

• You cannot drive over the speed limit to pass other vehicles.

• Drive in the far-right lane of a multi-lane road if you are driving slower than most traffic.

Racing and driving recklessly are not allowed and are illegal. Be alert and make sure to scan the road for the speed limit sign.

• Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in residential areas is 25 miles per hour.

• The normal speed limit in a school zone when children are present is 15 miles per hour.

• The maximum speed limit in outlying parts of cities and villages with no posted speed limit is 35mph.

Although the speed limit is considered the maximum speed, you may need to go slower depending on visibility and road conditions.

Going too fast or too slow could cause a crash. Going too slow can cause vehicles to back up

behind you and cause a crash. In both instances you could be given a ticket by police.

Adjust to traffic:

Try to keep the same speed as others on the road. Passing other vehicles on the road could cause a crash. When you merge with traffic try to enter at the same speed that the traffic is currently moving. Avoid forcing another driver to change speed or direction because of you merging.

High-speed roadways such as a highway have an acceleration lane (on-ramp) with an entrance ramp. In the acceleration lane you will speed up as you merge with the traffic flow. This allows other cars that are already in the flow of traffic to slow down or move over so you can merge with them. It is your responsibility to find a safe gap in traffic to legally merge.

In the deceleration lane (off-ramp) traffic slows down, this is where you will gradually slow down as well. Check your surroundings when you enter or leave traffic.

Changing speed for conditions:

Change your speed for road and traffic conditions. The faster your car is going, the more distance it will take to turn, slow or stop the car.

To have better control of your vehicle, the driver needs to be able to see 10 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicle.

Slow down to navigate the roads and conditions below:

• Curved roads or hills

• When it starts to rain, snow or hail

• Parking lots, shopping malls and downtown areas

• Schools, playgrounds and residential neighborhoods