Phones, fatigue, following distance and crashes

Key points

1. Over 90 percent of highway crashes are caused by driver error, inattention, condition, attitude or judgment.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Accident records show that over 90 percent of the highway crashes are caused by driver error”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 31

2. If you use a cell phone while driving, your first responsibility is still driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “When using your cellular phone while driving, always remember your No. 1 responsibility is driving.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 32

3. Take regular breaks every 100 miles or every two hours.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “It is advisable to take regular breaks every 100 miles or every two hours.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 32

4. Use the two second rule, counting from when the car ahead passes a fixed object.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “When the vehicle ahead passes that object, begin to count "One thousand one, one thousand two."”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 36

5. In poor road or weather conditions, increase to a four or five second count.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “If the road and weather conditions are not good, increase your following distance to a four or five second count.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 36

6. If you are in a crash, you must stop at once and aid any injured persons.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “If you are involved in a traffic crash, you must stop at once and aid any injured persons.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 37

7. If there is injury, death or $500 or more in damage and the at fault party was uninsured, a written report must be sent within 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “if damage to any vehicle or property in the crash amount to $500 or more, a written (Form SR-31) must be sent within 30 days”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 38

8. A freight train at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop, the length of 18 football fields.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “A freight train travelling at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop. That's the length of 18 football fields.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. What is the manual's first responsibility when a driver uses a cellular phone?

   1. Driving
   2. Finding the fastest route
   3. Keeping the phone conversation going
   4. Reading every incoming message
   Show answer

   Driving. The manual places driving first when a person uses a cellular phone. The other choices make the device or conversation the priority, which can divert attention from traffic, pedestrians, and changing road conditions. If a call is necessary, assess conditions first, use hands-free equipment when possible, and place the call while stopped or have a passenger handle it. Pull off the road to dial or finish a conversation. The practical cue is to treat phone use as secondary to vehicle control, not as a task that can compete with watching the roadway.

2. 2. How much following distance should a driver use when road or weather conditions are poor?

   1. One car length for every five miles per hour
   2. A two-second count in every condition without adjustment
   3. A four or five second count
   4. No following distance is needed below 35 mph
   Show answer

   A four or five second count. The manual says to increase following distance to a four or five second count when road or weather conditions are not good. The two-second rule is the basic reference for ordinary conditions, not a fixed ceiling for rain, snow, poor pavement, or other hazards. One car length per five miles per hour is not the stated adjustment, and low speed never removes the need for space to stop. Pick a fixed object, count after the vehicle ahead passes it, and enlarge the interval until your vehicle has enough room to respond smoothly.

3. 3. How far does a freight train at 55 mph need to stop, according to the Alabama manual?

   1. About a quarter mile
   2. About 500 feet
   3. About one football field
   4. A mile or more, the length of 18 football fields
   Show answer

   A mile or more, the length of 18 football fields. Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train traveling at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop, the length of 18 football fields, so the engineer who sees your car on the crossing can do nothing about it. If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get everyone out and away, then call the number on the crossing sign or local law enforcement. Always expect a train.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 4: The Driver. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.