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Difficulty: MediumSpeed Control and Following Distance

You are driving on a city street with a posted speed limit of 35 mph35\text{ mph}. As you approach a designated school zone, the yellow signal lights on the school speed limit sign begin flashing, indicating a 20 mph20\text{ mph} speed limit. The vehicle directly in front of you slows down as it enters the zone. Which of the following actions is legally required and safest?

  1. Reduce your speed to 20 mph20\text{ mph} or lower before entering the zone and increase your following distance behind the vehicle ahead.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain 35 mph35\text{ mph} until you see children actively crossing the street, at which point you should brake immediately.
  3. C
    Maintain 35 mph35\text{ mph} because the basic speed law allows you to travel at the regular posted limit whenever road conditions are clear and dry.
  4. D
    Reduce speed to 20 mph20\text{ mph}, but decrease your following distance to two seconds to prevent rear-end collisions from traffic behind you.

Answer

Reduce your speed to 20 mph20\text{ mph} or lower before entering the zone and increase your following distance behind the vehicle ahead.
Active flashing yellow signals on school zone signs legally require drivers to reduce their speed to the posted school limit (or lower) before crossing into the school zone. When the lead vehicle decelerates, expanding your following distance creates an essential safety cushion to respond safely to unexpected stops.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify active school zone speed regulations
Recognize that active flashing yellow beacons require immediate compliance with the reduced 20 mph20\text{ mph} speed limit prior to crossing the zone boundary.
School zone limits take precedence over standard street speed limits when indicators are active.
2
Adjust vehicle speed and maintain safe space cushion
Ease off the accelerator and apply gentle braking to reach 20 mph20\text{ mph} while expanding the following distance behind the slowing front vehicle.
Slowing lead vehicles and unpredictable pedestrian movement require a larger time gap to ensure adequate stopping distance.

Key Concept

School Zone Speed Regulations and Following Distance Management
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Speed Control and Following Distance

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