Space Management and Hazard Perception FAQ - Common Questions Answered

Quick answers to commonly tested questions from Sections 2.7-2.9 covering following distance, overhead clearance, off-tracking, hazard perception, and distracted driving laws.

Following Distance Questions

Q: What is the following distance rule for commercial vehicles?

A: One second for every 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. At speeds above 40 mph, add 1 additional second. Example: A 40-foot vehicle needs 4 seconds below 40 mph, 5 seconds above 40 mph.

Q: How do you measure your following distance?

A: Pick a fixed point (shadow, sign, pavement marking). When the vehicle ahead passes it, count seconds until you reach the same spot. Count "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" etc. Compare your count to the 1-second-per-10-feet rule.

Q: What is the following distance for a 60-foot vehicle at 55 mph?

A: 7 seconds. Base is 6 seconds (60 ÷ 10). Add 1 second because speed exceeds 40 mph.

Q: Why do trucks need more following distance than cars?

A: Trucks are heavier and take longer to stop. The vehicle ahead (often smaller) can probably stop faster than you can. Following too closely is the most frequent cause of rear-end truck crashes.

Q: Should you decrease following distance if being tailgated?

A: No. Increase your following distance. More space ahead means fewer sudden stops, reducing the chance the tailgater will hit you.

Overhead Clearance Questions

Q: Can you trust posted height clearances?

A: No. Posted heights may be inaccurate due to repaving or packed snow reducing clearance since signs were posted. If in doubt, go slowly or take another route.

Q: Are empty trucks higher or lower than loaded trucks?

A: Higher. Empty trucks ride higher because there's no cargo weight compressing the suspension. Clearing a bridge when loaded doesn't mean you'll clear it when empty.

Q: What should you check before backing into an area?

A: Get out and check for overhead hazards: tree branches, electric wires, signs, and building overhangs. These are easy to miss while backing.

Q: What if the road is tilted?

A: Drive closer to the center of the road. Tilted roads reduce clearance on the high side, potentially causing the top of your vehicle to hit roadside objects like signs or tree branches.

Turning and Off-Tracking Questions

Q: What is off-tracking?

A: When a vehicle turns, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels, causing the rear of the vehicle to "cut the corner." The longer the vehicle, the more off-tracking occurs.

Q: How should you make a right turn to avoid hitting objects?

A: Turn slowly, keep the rear of your vehicle close to the curb, and turn wide as you complete the turn—not at the beginning. Don't swing wide to the left before turning.

Q: Why shouldn't you swing left when starting a right turn?

A: Drivers behind may think you're turning left and try to pass you on the right. You may then hit them as you complete your right turn.

Q: How should you make a left turn?

A: Reach the center of the intersection before starting your turn. If you turn too soon, off-tracking may cause the left side of your vehicle to hit other vehicles. Use the right lane if there are two turn lanes.

Q: What about space below the vehicle?

A: Watch for drainage channels and railroad tracks, especially with low-clearance trailers. Getting hung up on railroad tracks is extremely dangerous.

Tailgater Questions

Q: What should you do if being tailgated?

A: Avoid quick changes, signal early, reduce speed gradually, and increase YOUR following distance. Don't speed up, flash brake lights, or make sudden moves.

Q: Why are you likely to be tailgated?

A: When traveling slowly (going uphill with heavy load) and in bad weather (drivers follow trucks because they can see them better).

Q: Why increase your following distance when tailgated?

A: More room ahead means you won't need sudden stops. This reduces the chance the tailgater will rear-end you.

Side Space Questions

Q: Why should you avoid driving alongside other vehicles?

A: Two dangers: (1) Another driver may suddenly change lanes into you, and (2) You may be trapped when you need to change lanes.

Q: How does wind affect space management?

A: Strong winds make lane-keeping difficult, especially for lighter or empty vehicles. Avoid driving alongside others in strong winds.

Hazard Perception Questions

Q: What is a hazard?

A: Any road condition or road user that could become a danger. Seeing hazards early gives you time to plan and avoid emergencies.

Q: What are signs of an impaired driver?

A: Weaving across the road, drifting from side to side, leaving the road, stopping at wrong times (green light), open window in cold weather, speeding up/slowing down suddenly.

Q: What clues indicate a confused driver?

A: Hesitation, driving very slowly, frequent braking, stopping in intersections, looking at maps or street signs, out-of-state plates, unexpected lane changes.

Q: Why are work zones hazardous?

A: Narrow lanes, sharp turns, uneven surfaces, distracted workers, and other drivers not paying attention. Speeding is the #1 cause of work zone deaths.

Q: What makes off-ramps dangerous for trucks?

A: Posted speed limits may be safe for cars but not trucks. Ramps that go downhill and curve are especially dangerous—the downgrade makes speed reduction difficult.

Distracted Driving Questions

Q: What cell phone use is prohibited for CMV drivers?

A: Holding phone to make voice calls, dialing more than one button, and reaching from seated position to get the phone. All prohibited by federal law.

Q: What cell phone use is allowed?

A: Hands-free phone within close reach, single-button dialing, voice-activated dialing, and speaker phone—as long as you don't unsafely reach for it.

Q: Are hands-free phones safer?

A: No. Research shows phone conversations reduce brain attention to driving by 39% whether hands-free or hand-held. Both cause mental distraction.

Q: What are the penalties for cell phone violations?

A: 60-day disqualification for 2nd offense within 3 years, 120 days for 3rd offense. Civil penalties up to $2,750 per violation for drivers, up to $11,000 for employers.

Q: Is texting while driving allowed?

A: No. Texting is completely prohibited—includes typing, reading, emailing, instant messaging, and web browsing.

Q: What are the penalties for texting?

A: Same as cell phone: 60 days (2nd offense), 120 days (3rd offense), up to $2,750 civil penalty per violation.

Q: How much does texting increase crash risk?

A: 23.2 times greater risk. Texting takes eyes off road for 4.6 seconds average—371 feet at 55 mph (length of a football field).

Q: How much does dialing increase crash risk?

A: 6 times greater risk. Dialing takes eyes off road for 3.8 seconds—306 feet at 55 mph.

Q: When can you use a hand-held phone?

A: Only in emergencies to contact law enforcement or emergency services.

Quick Numbers Summary

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