Speed & Space Management

Study questions with answers

12 sample Speed & Space Management questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. When driving at night or on unfamiliar roads, you should:

   Correct answer: increase your following distance

   Because visibility is reduced at night and on unfamiliar roads, allow a larger following distance to give yourself more time to react.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Night Driving

2. 2. Before changing lanes on the freeway, you should activate your signal for a minimum of:

   Correct answer: 3 seconds or 200 feet

   Turn on your signal at least 3 seconds, or 200 feet, before leaving your lane, and avoid frequent lane changes.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Changing Lanes

3. 3. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a business district is:

   Correct answer: 25 mph

   Colorado's default speed in a business district is 25 mph, while a residence district defaults to 30 mph.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Speed

4. 4. Using the three-second rule, you are following too closely if you pass a chosen roadside marker:

   Correct answer: before you finish counting three seconds

   Start counting when the vehicle ahead passes a marker; passing that same point before you reach three seconds means your gap is too small.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Safe Driving Tips (Three-second rule)

5. 5. Driving well below the minimum posted speed on a freeway in good conditions is:

   Correct answer: a traffic violation that can disrupt and endanger traffic

   Going much slower than the flow, or below a posted minimum in normal conditions, is a violation and can create unsafe, unpredictable situations.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Speed (Limits)

6. 6. The maximum posted speed limit is set for ideal conditions, so in rain, fog, or ice you should:

   Correct answer: slow down and leave more space, even if it means driving below the limit

   Posted maximums assume good conditions; in poor weather slow down and increase following distance, and never use cruise control on a wet or icy road.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Weather

7. 7. The three-second rule is used to judge:

   Correct answer: a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead

   Pick a fixed point; if you reach it before counting to three after the car ahead passes it, you are following too closely.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Safe Driving Tips (Three-second rule)

8. 8. A vehicle's blind spots are areas that:

   Correct answer: you cannot see in your mirrors and lie slightly to the sides and rear

   Blind spots sit slightly to the rear and sides where mirrors do not reach, so look over your shoulder to check them before changing lanes.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Changing Lanes

9. 9. Unless otherwise posted, the default speed limit on an open mountain highway is:

   Correct answer: 40 mph

   Open mountain highways default to 40 mph, while narrow winding mountain roads and blind curves default to 20 mph.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Speed

10. 10. Stopping distance is best described as:

    Correct answer: the distance traveled from realizing you must stop until the vehicle fully stops

    Stopping distance covers everything from the moment you recognize the need to stop through perception, reaction and braking until the vehicle halts.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Speed (Stopping distance)

11. 11. According to the handbook, the single greatest factor affecting how severe a crash is:

    Correct answer: speed

    Speed is the greatest factor influencing crash severity, and many fatal Colorado collisions involve motorists driving too fast.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Speed

12. 12. Absent a posted sign, the speed limit in a residential district is:

    Correct answer: 30 mph

    The default limit in a residence district is 30 mph unless a lower limit is posted by local ordinance.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Speed