2013 Oregon Driver Manual - Oregon Department of Transportation

When stopping behind another vehicle at a stop light, make sure you
leave enough space to see where the rear tires of the vehicle in front meet
the road. When the light turns green, return to a safe following distance.
There are situations, such as those listed below, when you need even
more space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. In all of
these situations, you should increase your following distance:
• On wet or slippery roads. You
need more distance to stop your
vehicle on wet or slippery roads.
• When the driver behind you
wants to pass. Slow down to
allow room in front of your
vehicle for the passing vehicle
to complete the pass sooner and
more safely.
• When following bicycles or
motorcycles. You need extra room
in case the rider loses control of
the bicycle or motorcycle.
• When following drivers who
cannot see you. The drivers of
trucks, buses, vans, or vehicles
pulling campers or trailers may
not be able to see you when you
are directly behind them. These
large vehicles also block your
view of the road ahead. More
room allows you to see ahead.
• When approaching railroad
crossings. Leave extra room
between you and vehicles required
to stop at railroad crossings,
including school buses or vehicles
carrying hazardous materials.
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• When you have a heavy load
or are pulling a trailer. The
extra weight increases your
stopping distance.
• When it is hard for you to see.
In bad weather or darkness,
increase your following distance
to make up for decreased visibility.
• When following emergency
vehicles. Some police vehicles,
ambulances, and fi re trucks
need more room to operate. You
should not follow closer than 500
feet behind a fi re truck or other
emergency vehicle.
• When stopped on a hill. The
vehicle ahead may roll back when
it starts to move.
• When you are learning to
drive. As a new driver, you
need extra room when learning
driving skills, such as steering,
turning, lane changes, and reading
traffi c signs or signals. Leave
extra room between you and the
vehicle ahead. The extra room
provides you time to make critical
decisions as you learn.
Stopping Distances
You need to know how long it takes to stop any vehicle you drive. Stopping
distance can depend on road and weather conditions, the speed you are
traveling, the weight of your vehicle, your reaction time, and the braking
ability of your vehicle.