Safe driving practices and sharing the road
Space and attention
Safe driving is mostly about margins. Use the three-second following rule in good conditions: watch the rear of the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object, then count until your front bumper reaches it. In rain, fog, darkness, or when following a motorcycle or truck, increase to four or more seconds. Maine's move-over law requires you to slow down and, when safe, change lanes away from stopped emergency, tow, or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights. Put the phone down; distractions steal the seconds you need to react.
Sharing the road
Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way. When passing a cyclist, give at least three feet of space and do not crowd the cyclist before a turn. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; do not share a lane with one. Large trucks have wide blind spots and need extra room to turn-never pass on the right as a truck prepares to turn. At railroad crossings, never stop on the tracks; if gates are down or lights flash, stop and wait.
Worked example
You are following a pickup at 50 mph in light rain. The three-second gap you used on a dry day is now too short. Drop back to at least four seconds, and add more if the truck blocks your view of the road ahead. If a tailgater closes in behind you, do not brake-check; increase your own following distance so you can slow gradually.
Traps
A green light or right-of-way does not excuse hitting a pedestrian. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk-it may be yielding to someone you cannot see. In work zones, the posted temporary limit and flagger instructions control, even if workers are not visible.