What are the steps of the space cushion system?

Knowing The Smith5Keys will help in all traffic situations, but here’s how they work when it comes to creating space cushions around your vehicle.
  1. No. 1: Aim High In Steering®.
  2. No. 2: Get The Big Picture®.
  3. No. 3: Keep Your Eyes Moving®.
  4. No. 4: Leave Yourself An Out®.
  5. No. 5: Make Sure They See You®.

What is the key to good space cushion?

Have a space cushion

If someone is following too closely, and if it is safe, reduce your speed just enough to encourage them to pass. If the person does not pass, create a wider space cushion between you and the vehicle ahead.

What is considered a cushion of safety?

A “cushion of safety” is the area around your van that you should try to keep free of other vehicles and pedestrians. Maintaining a safe following distance for vehicle control is perhaps the most critical part of the “cushion of safety.”

What is the most important zone for a space cushion?

On a three-lane road, the best lane for optimal opportunity to create a safe space cushion between all vehicles in the center lane. This gives a maximum view of the entire road if you maintain at least a 3-5 second space cushion (or half a car length) between you and the car in front of you.

What are 6 ways to maintain the space cushion around your vehicle?

What are the 5 situations that you should always check behind you?

It is very important to check behind you before you change lanes, slow down quickly, back up, or drive down a long or steep hill.

When establishing a space cushion around you you should follow the ____ second rule?

Create a space cushion around your vehicle by staying in the middle of your lane. Make sure there is enough room ahead of your vehicle and behind it for other vehicles to pass or stop safely. Use the two-, three- and four-second rule to determine if you are following far enough behind the vehicle ahead of you.

When should you give yourself a four second or more cushion?

Give yourself a “four-second or more” cushion when: Crowded by a tailgater. Allow extra room between your car and the car ahead. Then, if you need to slow down you can do so gradually.

Which part of the space cushion is easiest to control?

Keeping an adequate distance between us and the vehicle in front of us is the easiest part of our space cushion to control. The National Safety Council (NSC) recommends following the 3-second rule; allowing a minimum of 3 seconds of travel between our vehicle and the vehicle we are behind.

Where should there be a cushion of space when driving?

On all sides of the vehicle. Explanation To ensure that you will have time to react to hazards on the roadway, it is best to keep a cushion of space on all sides of your vehicle. Do not crowd vehicles to your left and right sides.

What is a space cushion and why should we have them quizlet?

Space around your vehicle gives you distance to react in emergencies and avoid a crash. Create a space cushion around your vehicle by staying in the middle of your lane. Make sure there is enough room ahead of your vehicle and behind it for other vehicles to pass or stop safely. Space cushion.

What are the 6 areas of space around a vehicle that are the width of a lane and extend as far as the driver can see?

A zone is one of the six areas of space around a vehicle that is the width of a lane and extends as far as the driver can see. An open zone is space where you can drive without a restriction to your line of sight or to your intended path of travel.

How can you deal with tailgaters?

Don’t Get Tackled: How to Deal With Tailgaters Safely
  1. Keep your distance. The best way to deal with a tailgater is to stay away from them in the first place. …
  2. Stay calm. …
  3. Get out of the way. …
  4. Maintain a consistent speed. …
  5. Don’t overuse your brakes. …
  6. Don’t become a tailgater yourself. …
  7. Don’t try to police the roadway.

When driving at night be sure that you can stop?

Explanation You should drive more slowly at night than during the day because it is not possible to see as far ahead at night. You should make sure that you can stop within the area illuminated by your headlights.

When driving in fog you should use your?

Explanation If you must drive in foggy conditions, you should use your low beam headlights, as well as your fog lights, if your vehicle has them. High beams direct their light upwards, where it can bounce off the fog and into your eyes, reducing visibility even more.

What is the 5 second rule in driving?

If it takes you 3-5 seconds to pass an object after the car ahead of you has passed it, you’re at a safe following distance. You’ll need more space the faster you’re driving, so keep that in mind. If you follow any closer than 3 seconds, you’ll be tailgating the person in front of you, like a big jerk.

Can you brake check a tailgater?

Yes it is illegal to brake check a tailgater. Causing an accident on purpose is illegal. Others have said that you can claim to have seen something dart into the road, but you have still caused an accident.

Is brake checking illegal?

Because brake checking is a form of aggressive or negligent driving, it is an illegal action. While tailgating is an unpleasant and unlawful practice, it is always preferable to pull over and let the other car pass rather than brake check them.

Should you turn on your headlights when it’s raining?

Front and rear fog lights must only be used in fog or rain, or when conditions such as smoke and dust limit your vision. … If your vehicle is not fitted with fog lights, use your headlights during the day in these adverse conditions.

What is the first thing you do when your wheels move off the pavement?

If your wheels drift off the pavement, grip the steering wheel firmly, ease your foot off the accelerator (gas) pedal, and brake gently. Check for traffic behind you, gently steer back onto the pavement. Do not pull or turn your steering wheel suddenly; this may cause you to drive into oncoming traffic.