Following distance, turns and freeways

Key points

1. Keep pace with traffic; if you cannot keep up, move as far right as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “If you cannot keep up with traffic, move as far to the right as possible.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67

2. Count one thousand one, one thousand two as the car ahead passes a marker; you should never have less than 2 seconds.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “If you get to the word two before your vehicle reaches the marker, you have at least a two second interval. You should never have less.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67

3. Slow to a proper speed before a curve or turn and hold a steady speed through it.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Slow to a proper speed before you enter a curve or begin a turn. Maintain a steady speed while in the curve or turn.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67

4. Always come to a complete stop before turning right on a red signal.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Always bring your vehicle to a complete stop before making a right turn when facing a red traffic signal.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67

5. When passing, move back into your lane when you can see the passed vehicle in your inside mirror.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “Move back into the proper traffic lane when you can see the overtaken vehicle in your interior rear-view mirror.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 68

6. Never drive into an intersection or crosswalk unless there is room for your whole vehicle on the other side.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AN INTERSECTION OR A CROSSWALK UNLESS THERE IS SPACE FOR YOUR ENTIRE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 69

7. On a freeway, keep the right lane open as much as possible for entering and leaving traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “The right lane should remain open for traffic entering and leaving the freeway as much as possible.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 79

8. If you miss your exit, do not stop or back up; continue to the next exit.

   Source: Handbook p. 80

   “If you pass the place where you intended to exit, DO NOT STOP; DO NOT BACK UP! Continue on to the next exit.”
   Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 80

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Hawaii practice test

1. 1. What should a driver do if a vehicle cannot keep up with traffic?

   1. Stop immediately in the lane
   2. Stay in the left lane to make others pass on the shoulder
   3. Increase speed beyond the posted limit
   4. Move as far to the right as possible
   Show answer

   Move as far to the right as possible. A driver who cannot keep up with traffic should move as far to the right as possible. This reduces conflicts with faster vehicles and gives other traffic a clearer path around the slower vehicle. Remaining in the left lane makes passing harder, while speeding beyond the posted limit creates a new hazard and violates the speed control. Stopping in the travel lane is dangerous unless an emergency requires it. Watch the flow behind you, maintain a safe speed for the conditions, and use the right side to minimize interference when your vehicle is slower.

2. 2. How should a driver handle speed when approaching a marked curve?

   1. Slow before the curve, then maintain a steady speed through it
   2. Brake sharply only after the vehicle begins turning
   3. Accelerate into the bend to shorten the maneuver
   4. Move onto the shoulder if the curve tightens
   Show answer

   Slow before the curve, then maintain a steady speed through it. The safest sequence is to complete the main speed reduction before the curve and then hold a steady pace while steering. Braking sharply after turn-in can make the vehicle harder to control. Acceleration reduces the available margin, and the shoulder is not a normal lane for negotiating a bend. Read the road shape early, choose a speed that fits visibility and traction, and make calm steering inputs all the way through.

3. 3. On a freeway, which lane should remain open as much as possible for entering and leaving traffic?

   1. The far left lane
   2. The right lane
   3. The center lane only
   4. The shoulder
   Show answer

   The right lane. Freeway traffic should preserve the right lane for vehicles entering and leaving whenever possible. Through traffic generally belongs in the left or center lanes, while the right lane handles merging and exiting activity. Choosing the shoulder is unsafe and it is not a travel lane. Reserving the far left or center lane would interfere with the freeway's intended lane roles. If you are in the right lane, watch the entrance area and allow merging vehicles room rather than accelerating to close the gap.

Source: the Hawaii Driver's Manual, Chapter X: Safe Driving Techniques. 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.