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Managing Space

Managing Space is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(10) (space cushions ahead, behind, to the sides, and for traffic gaps). The turning and off-tracking question in this topic cites 49 CFR 383.111(a)(4)(iv), which names off-tracking directly, since the manual teaches it as a space-management skill rather than a basic-control one.

Practice Managing Space

5 Questions

  1. Why does the CDL manual recommend a driver leave at least one second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph, adding one more second at higher speeds?
  2. A driver notices a car has been tailgating a heavy vehicle for several miles on an uphill grade. What is the recommended way to reduce the danger of a crash?
  3. Why should a driver avoid traveling alongside another vehicle for an extended distance in a wide commercial vehicle whenever it can be avoided?
  4. When a truck or bus cannot complete a right turn without swinging wide, what should the driver do to prevent a crash?
  5. Why does a heavily loaded commercial vehicle need a larger gap in traffic to cross or enter an intersection than a passenger car needs?