Key points
Safer drivers look at least 10 seconds ahead of their vehicle.
Source: Handbook p. 116
“Safer drivers tend to look at least 10 seconds ahead of their vehicle.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 116Stopping from 60 mph takes over three times the distance needed at 30 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“stopping at 60 mph does not take twice the distance it takes at 30 mph as one might think, but over three times the distance.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 123On a wet road slow about 10 mph; on packed snow cut your speed in half.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“On a wet road you should reduce your speed about 10 mph. On packed snow you should cut your speed in half.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 123Tires can hydroplane above about 35 mph and lose all traction in heavy rain at about 50 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 124
“When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph. However, as you go faster, your tires will start to ride up on the water, like water skis. This is called “hydroplaning.” In a heavy rain, your tires can lose all traction with the road at about 50 mph.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 124At 50 mph it can take about 400 feet to react and stop; at 30 mph about 200 feet.
Source: Handbook p. 126
“At 50 mph, it can take about 400 feet to react to something you see and bring your vehicle to a stop. That is about the length of a city block. • At 30 mph, it can take about 200 feet to stop.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 126Speed limits are for ideal conditions; you can be ticketed below the limit when conditions are unsafe.
Source: Handbook p. 127
“Keep in mind even if you are driving under the posted speed limit, you can get a ticket for traveling too fast during unsafe conditions.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 127Per mile, the nighttime fatal crash rate is two and a half times the daytime rate.
Source: Handbook p. 125
“Per mile driven, the fatal crash rate at night throughout the nation is two-and-one-half times as high as during the day.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 125More than 7,000 people died in drowsy driving crashes over the last decade.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“Over the last decade, more than 7,000 people have been killed in drowsy-driving related crashes.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 53If you are tired, rest or change drivers.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“If you are tired while driving, it is best to rest or change drivers.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 53Taking your eyes off the road for 3 to 4 seconds at 55 mph covers a football field.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“If you take your eyes off the road while traveling 55 mph for 3-4 seconds, your vehicle travels the length of an entire football field.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 53
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 10 seconds | how far ahead to look | Handbook p. 116 |
| 60 mph vs 30 mph: over 3 times | stopping distance comparison | Handbook p. 123 |
| 10 mph | slow this much on a wet road | Handbook p. 123 |
| 35 mph | most tires keep traction on wet roads up to about this speed | Handbook p. 124 |
| 400 feet at 50 mph | reaction and stopping distance | Handbook p. 126 |
| 200 feet at 30 mph | stopping distance | Handbook p. 126 |
| 7,000 | drowsy driving deaths over the last decade | Handbook p. 53 |
| 3 to 4 seconds at 55 mph | eyes off the road covers a football field | Handbook p. 53 |
3 questions from the Delaware practice test
1. What does a Delaware driver need to remember about posted speed limits in poor conditions?
- Increase speed whenever visibility is reduced
- Drive at the posted limit regardless of weather
- Use the posted limit only when traffic is heavy
- Slow down when the road is wet or icy, visibility is poor, or traffic is heavy
Show answer
Slow down when the road is wet or icy, visibility is poor, or traffic is heavy. Posted limits are based on ideal conditions, so Delaware expects drivers to slow when pavement is wet or icy, visibility is reduced, or traffic is heavy. The posted number is not permission to maintain that speed when conditions make it unsafe. The choice to use the limit only in heavy traffic omits other hazards, while increasing speed with poor visibility makes stopping and scanning harder. A good cue is to compare the limit with the actual road and visibility before choosing a safe speed.
2. What is Delaware's recommended response when fatigue makes driving hazardous?
- Rest or change drivers
- Open a window and continue indefinitely
- Drive faster to reach the destination sooner
- Use loud music instead of stopping
Show answer
Rest or change drivers. When tiredness dulls the mind and slows reactions, Delaware's safety guidance says to rest or change drivers. Fresh air, music, and speed may make the driver feel temporarily more alert without restoring reliable judgment or response time. Continuing while struggling to keep the eyes focused increases the chance of drifting, missing an exit, or reacting late. Treat yawning, wandering thoughts, or lane wandering as an immediate warning. Pull off in a safe place or hand over the driving task before fatigue becomes a roadway emergency.
3. How many people died in drowsy driving crashes over the last decade, according to the Delaware manual?
- About 100
- More than 7,000
- About 500
- About 1 million
Show answer
More than 7,000. Over the last decade, more than 7,000 people have been killed in drowsy driving related crashes. Long distance driving can bring on highway hypnosis, a trance like state, and not remembering the last few miles is a classic sign. Stop at a rest area, take a short nap, share the driving, and avoid the hours when you would normally be asleep.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Delaware practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Delaware Driver Manual, Section Five: Driving Skills and Safety Tips. 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.