Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations 

Texas Driver Handbook

Observe Specific Instructions

Observe specific instructions indicating the lane you should drive in.

Once You are in the Proper Lane

1.  Stay in the middle of your lane.

2.  Do not weave in and out of traffic.

3.  Maintain a constant speed. Keep pace with the traffic. Don’t speed up and slow down 

unnecessarily.

4.  Stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. In bad weather, increase the time 

to at least four seconds. Watch the cars ahead of you. Be prepared if one of the cars ahead of 

you stops suddenly.

5.  Adjust your speed to allow others to enter the highway safely.

6.  Vehicles in any lane, except the right lane used for slower traffic, should be prepared to move to another lane to allow faster 

traffic to pass.

Leaving the Highway

1.  Move into the proper lane well in advance of the exit. The greater the amount of traffic the earlier you should move into the 

proper lane. Exit signs are usually placed at least 1,000 yards ahead of the exit.

2.  Slow down on the exit ramp so by the time you are off the highway, you are within the new, slower speed limit. 

Fight Highway Hypnosis

A condition of drowsiness or unawareness can be brought on by reduced activity and steady sounds of wind, engine, and tire hum. 

This is known as highway hypnosis. All drivers should be aware of its danger and of the methods for fighting it.

1.  Stop often. Even if you are feeling well you should stop at least every two hours or every 100 miles. Get out of your car and walk 

around. Allow your muscles to relax.

2.  Do not drive more than eight hours per day.

3.  Keep shifting your eyes. Look at different objects; near and far, left and right. Read the road signs as you approach them. Check 

your rearview mirror.

Highway Safety Tips

1.  Keep a window open so there is always fresh air in the car to help keep you alert and awake.

2.  On bright days, wear good sunglasses. Never wear sunglasses at night.

3.  Stay out of another driver’s blind spot. Traveling where the driver ahead of you cannot see your vehicle can be dangerous. Stay 

behind or go around the other vehicle. Do not follow to the side.

4.  Avoid using a cell phone while driving; use may cause distraction and driver inattention. If you must use a cell phone, safely 

pull off the road or use a hands-free headset. If you are under 18 years of age it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving even 

if it is a hands-free device except in the case of emergency.

Vehicle Breakdown

1.  If you can’t get the car off the road, get everyone out of the car and off the road. Portable warning devices should be used to 

warn oncoming traffic.

2.  Move your car off the pavement to the side of the road. A car with a flat or blowout can be driven slowly off the road.

3.  Turn on your emergency warning lights. If you do not have warning lights, use your taillights. At night, in addition to your tail-

lights and warning lights, turn the lights on inside of the car.

4.  Tie a white cloth to your radio antenna, door handle, or some other place where it may be easily seen. If you do not have a white 

cloth, raise your hood.

Controlling a Car in Special Situations

There is one basic rule which applies in all driving situations, think before you act.

Steering Out of a Skid

An automobile skids when its tires lose their grip on the road surface. If the car starts to skid follow these safety tips.

1.  Do not hit the brakes suddenly and hard. Take your foot off the gas pedal (accelerator).

2.  Turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. As you recover control, gently straighten the wheels.

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Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations 

Texas Driver Handbook

3.  Avoid a situation that could cause a skid by slowing down when the road and weather conditions are poor. Also, check your 

car’s tires. Old or worn tires that have minimal or damaged tread are dangerous. (In the illustration below, the direction of the 

skid is to the right.)

Steering out of a skid

Turn steering wheel in 

direction of skid

Brake Failure

If your car brakes fail, do not panic. Remember you can use your parking brake and shift to a lower gear. Apply your parking brake 

cautiously to keep from locking the brakes and throwing your car into a skid.

Running Off the Pavement

If something causes you to swerve and run off the pavement:

•  Do not hit the brakes suddenly and hard. Grip the steering wheel tightly and take your foot off the gas pedal.

•  Use your brakes carefully and do not swing back onto the pavement. Wait until your speed is reduced, check the traffic behind 

you, and then carefully drive back onto the pavement.

Flat Tire or Blowout

If you have a flat tire or a blowout:

•  Do not hit the brakes suddenly and hard

•  Take your foot off the gas pedal and gently apply the brakes

•  Steer straight ahead to a stop

Driving Down a Steep Hill

When driving down a steep hill, you can shift your car into a low gear to help slow your vehicle. Never coast in neutral or for cars 

with a standard transmission, never coast with your foot on the clutch.

Winter Driving

Most drivers realize winter creates additional hazards, but many drivers don’t know what to do about it. Here are a few precautions 

you should follow during winter.

Table 25: Winter Driving Safety Tips

Safety Tip

Explanation

Maintain a safe 

interval 

Increase the distance from the vehicle ahead of you according to the conditions of the pavement. Many rear-end 

collisions occur on icy streets because drivers don’t leave space to stop. Snow tires will slide on ice or packed snow. To 

keep safe you must keep your distance.

Reduce speed to 

correspond with 

conditions

There is no such thing as a “safe” speed range at which you may drive on snow or ice. You must be extremely cau-

tious until you are able to determine how much traction you can expect from your tires. Avoid locking of brakes on  

ice as it will cause a loss of steering and control. Every city block and every mile of highway may be different, depend-

ing upon sun or shade and the surface of the road.

Keep windows clear

Remove snow and ice before you drive, even if you’re just driving a few miles. Make certain the windshield wipers and 

defroster are working properly.

Watch for danger 

spots ahead

There may be ice on bridges when the rest of the pavement is clear. Snow melts more slowly in shady areas. Take 

precautions when approaching turns.

Get a feel for the 

road

Start out very slowly. It is useless to burn the rubber off your tires by spinning the wheels. Test your brakes gently 

after the car is in motion to determine how much traction you have. Start slowing down before you come to a turn.

Equip your vehicle 

with chains or  

snow tires

Chains are the most effective and should be used where ice and snow remain on the road. One word of caution, 

neither chains nor snow tires will permit you to drive on slick pavement at normal speeds so don’t get a false feeling 

of security.

Roundabouts

Modern Roundabout

A modern roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection where traffic flows counter clockwise around a center island. Modern 

roundabouts use yield signs rather than traffic lights to control vehicles entering the intersection. This intersection design only has 

eight potential conflict points, opposed to a traditional “four-way” signalized intersection which has 32 potential conflict points.

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