California Driver's Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving

Following distance, blind spots, driving at night and in bad weather, skids, seat belts and child seats, the Basic Speed Law, emergencies and distractions.

Key rules

1. Keep your eyes moving and scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead of you. p. 57
2. Use the three-second rule for following distance. If a tailgater is behind you, keep your speed and move right when it is safe so they can pass. p. 57
3. Check your blind spots by looking over your shoulders, turning only your head, before changing lanes, turning, merging, backing up, leaving the curb or opening your door. p. 58
4. At night, use high beams on open roads, dim them for oncoming traffic, and be able to stop within the distance your headlights light up. If oncoming lights are too bright, look toward the right edge of your lane. p. 59
5. If you skid on a slippery surface, slowly take your foot off the gas, do not brake, and steer in the direction of the skid. p. 60
6. Slow down for conditions: 5 to 10 mph less on a wet road, half your speed on packed snow, and no more than 5 mph on ice. p. 61
7. The first rain after a dry spell is the most slippery, because oil and dust have not washed away. Shaded spots, bridges and overpasses freeze first. p. 61
8. In heavy rain or snow, if you cannot see farther than 100 feet, do not drive faster than 30 mph. p. 62
9. If you hydroplane, slow down gradually and do not brake. p. 62
10. In fog or heavy smoke, drive slowly with low beams (high beams reflect back), increase your following distance, and never drive with only parking or fog lights. p. 64
11. Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt, and you can be ticketed if a passenger under 16 is not buckled up. p. 65
12. Children under 8 or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches ride in a child safety seat in the back seat. Children under 2 (and under 40 pounds and 3 feet 4 inches) ride rear-facing. p. 66
13. It is illegal to leave a child six or younger alone in a vehicle (a person at least 12 years old may watch them), and dangerous to leave children or animals in a hot car. p. 67
14. The Basic Speed Law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, whatever the posted limit. The usual maximum on California highways is 65 mph, and 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and when towing. p. 67
15. If your car stalls on the tracks and a train is coming, get out at once and run away from the tracks diagonally toward the train, then call 911. p. 70
16. Driving with a phone in your hand is illegal. Adults may use hands-free mode only when necessary; drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all, except to call for emergency help. p. 70