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Self Test -
How's My Driving?

Reaction Time

Driving requires dividing your attention between multiple activities and being able to react quickly to situations that often arise without warning. Do you have any of these symptoms of decreased attention and reaction time?

  • Feeling overwhelmed by signs, signals, road markings, pedestrians and vehicles that you must pay attention to while driving?

  • Difficulty judging gaps in traffic, making it more difficult to turn at intersections or merge with traffic?

  • Lack confidence to handle the demands of high speeds or heavy traffic?

  • Frequently find yourself getting lost or disoriented?

Tips For Staying Safe Behind the Wheel

  • Plan your route. Drive where you are familiar with roadway and traffic patterns.

  • Drive during the day and avoid rush hours. Use routes with less traffic.

  • When approaching intersections, look to both sides directly ahead for cars, bicycles or pedestrians that could enter unexpectedly.

  • Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead. Find a marker ahead of you, such as a tree, sign or lamppost. When the car ahead of you passes this marker count "1001, 1002, 1003, 1004." Leave enough space so that your car reaches the marker by the time you count to 1004.

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Updated 6/20/03

link to oregon.gov