Safe Driving Practices
The core habits
Defensive driving is the theme behind most of this domain: look far ahead, keep space, and manage speed for conditions. Use the three-second rule for following distance in good conditions, and add time for rain, darkness, heavy traffic, or a heavy load. Space is the one thing you can always give away and get back.
Skids, brakes, and slick roads
With anti-lock brakes, press the pedal firmly and hold it - do not pump. In a skid, ease off the accelerator, look and steer where you want the front of the car to go, and avoid hard braking. In hydroplaning, ease off the gas, hold the wheel straight, and let the tires regain contact before braking or steering hard. On wet roads, slow down and lengthen your following distance.
Seeing and being seen
Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow; high beams reflect off the moisture and make things worse. At night, drive so you can stop within the distance your headlights actually light. When an oncoming car's lights glare, look toward the right edge of your lane rather than at the lights.
Distraction and fatigue
Georgia's hands-free law covers more than phones - anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind off driving is a hazard. Drowsiness is impairment; pull over and rest rather than finishing the trip.
Traps
- "Pump the brakes" is wrong for ABS.
- "Use high beams in fog" is always the wrong answer.
- Never reverse on a freeway to recover a missed exit; continue to the next one.
Worked example: pick a fixed object ahead, such as a sign. When the car in front passes it, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." If you reach the object before you finish counting, you are following too closely.