Safe Driving Practices and Speed Management
This domain tests speed choice, following distance, and smooth control of a heavy passenger vehicle. The exam expects you to know that the posted limit is not the school bus limit and that load and road conditions change stopping distance.
Speed and space
- New Jersey limits school buses to 50 mph even where the posted limit is higher.
- Reduce speed for curves, hills, wet roads, snow, ice, and a full load.
- Keep at least a 4-second following distance in good conditions; increase it in rain, fog, or darkness.
- Brake early and smoothly. Do not use cruise control in a school bus.
Worked example
A rural road is posted 55 mph and the pavement is wet downhill. Correct action: stay at or below 50 mph, and likely slower, downshift, and brake early. Reasoning: the bus is heavy, the road is wet, and downhill braking distance increases; the posted limit is a ceiling for cars, not a target for a loaded bus.
Traps
- Treating the posted speed limit as the school bus limit.
- Tailgating to keep up with traffic.
- Late, hard braking on downgrades.
- Using cruise control on wet or slick roads.