The safe-driving tips presented here are intended only to serve as basic guidelines for safe vehicle operations and do not cover all situations or regulations.
When conditions restrict visibility, reduce your speed so you can stop within the distance you can see ahead. Never use the size of your vehicle to assert your right of way. Always make a full stop before entering a crosswalk, then check for traffic before entering the intersection. Maintain a four second following distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, and increase this distance when roads are icy or wet. Never pull directly behind another vehicle to get it to speed up or change lanes. Always check the road ahead carefully before passing. When stopping for a school bus or railroad crossing, give warning to vehicles behind you, use four-way flashers as an additional warning. When being passed, slow down. Avoid parking on steep grades. When it is necessary to stop on a shoulder or roadway, use required emergency devices. Reduce speed when entering curves. Check to see if way is clear before turning or changing lanes. Plan your route carefully when backing up--the driver is responsible for safe backing, even if a helper is used. Never permit vehicles to trap you on railroad tracks, and do not shift gears crossing railroad tracks. Always know the clearance height of your vehicle and roadway conditions that might affect clearance. Use caution and courtesy when crossing narrow bridges. Make sure handholds, steps and shoes or boots are free of ice, snow or mud when climbing into a vehicle. Never jump down from a vehicle. Use extreme caution when smoking in or around a vehicle and never smoke during fueling. Be aware of traffic slowdowns. Slow down and use caution in school zones. Reduce speed and maintain control of your vehicle in high winds. Gear down before starting down any long grade.