Traffic trouble spots — New Mexico Permit Test

Wherever people or traffic gather, your room to maneuver is limited, so lower your speed to have time to react.

In a crowded space things happen close to you, and less speed buys you time to respond.

You need to lower your speed to have time to react in a crowded space.

At toll plazas vehicles change lanes, stop and speed up again, and the number of lanes can change before and after the plaza.

Cars weave and brake around a toll plaza, so slowing gives you room for their moves.

The number of lanes could change both before and after the plaza.

On narrow bridges and in tunnels, vehicles approaching each other are closer together, so you may need to slow down.

With less room between you and oncoming cars, a small drift can cause a crash.

Narrow bridges and tunnels—Vehicles approaching each other are closer together.

Near schools, playgrounds and residential streets, be alert for children crossing or running or riding into the street without looking.

Children often dart out without checking for cars, so you need extra time to stop.

Always be alert for children crossing the street or running or riding into the street without looking.

Some railroad crossings are bumpy, so you need to slow down to cross safely.

Hitting rough tracks too fast can jolt the car and make you lose control.

Some crossings are bumpy so you need to slow down to safely cross.

Why should you lower your speed where people or traffic gather?

To have time to react in a crowded space. In a crowded space things happen close to you, and less speed buys you time to respond. New Mexico Driver Manual, p.22: “You need to lower your speed to have time to react in a crowded space.”