Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle glides on top of a thin layer of water between its tires and the road. Tires with low air pressure or bad tread can increase the risk of hydroplaning. Speeding also increases the risk.

Highway work zones are established according to the type of work underway along the roadway. Signs in work areas are typically diamond-shaped, orange, have black letters or symbols, and serve as a warning that people are working on or near the highway.

When changing lanes, it is important to check your blind spots. Do this by looking over your shoulder toward the next lane. Do not rely only on your mirrors.

If you are being tailgated by another driver and there is a right lane, move over to the right. If there is no right lane, wait until the road ahead is clear and then reduce your speed slowly. This will encourage the tailgater to drive around you. Never slow down abruptly as this will only increase the risk of your vehicle being hit from behind.

A speed limit is the maximum or minimum legal speed you can travel on a road under ideal conditions. You may drive more slowly than the posted speed, but it is illegal to drive any faster. You must drive more slowly where signs or signs indicate a school zone or work zone speed limit. If conditions such as road construction or bad weather make the posted speed unsafe, drive under the speed limit.

If an approaching driver fails to dim their high beams, glance toward the right side of the road. This will keep you from being blinded by the other vehicle’s headlights and will allow you to see enough of the road to stay on course until the other vehicle has passed.

Defensive drivers maintain a safe following distance. Defensive drivers anticipate what may or may not happen while on the roadway, and they take action to avoid many problems.

Defensive drivers judge their surroundings. In poor weather conditions, they slow down so they are able to control their vehicle. Good defensive drivers do not make risky maneuvers, such as trying to beat a red light or outdrive a train.

A three-point turnabout is the most difficult and dangerous way to perform a turnabout. Use it only when the road is too narrow for you to safely make a U-turn and you are not able to go around the block. This type of turn should only be used on a two-lane roadway.

If your vehicle begins to leave the road, continue to drive with the wheels off the pavement and reduce your speed by gently applying the brakes. When at a safe speed, turn the steering wheel to return to the pavement. Do not attempt to force your vehicle back onto the pavement by sharply turning the steering wheel.

The only way to be sure you will have enough time to react to mistakes made by other drivers is to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicles around you.

When turning, look as far ahead as possible in the direction you want to go. You’ll have more time to react if there’s an obstacle ahead and the process of turning will be much smoother.

When preparing to drive, you should first adjust your seat to ensure that you are in a comfortable position and can see the road clearly. Adjust your mirrors and steering wheel to be effective when your seat is fully adjusted.

On slippery roads, you should increase your following distance. It may take more time to stop your vehicle than it would under normal conditions.

If an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is traveling in the area where you are driving, you must make every effort to give them a clear path of travel. If it is safe to do so, pull your vehicle to the side of the road to give the emergency vehicle an open pathway.

In some metropolitan areas, traffic lights are horizontal instead of vertical. On these signals, the red light is on the left, the yellow light is in the middle, and the green light is on the right.

You should always be cautious when passing a bicycle because the cyclist may have to swerve into traffic to avoid an object on the road. Always be particularly careful when driving near bicyclists.

Highway markings provide information for drivers. Markings help drivers correctly position their vehicles on roadways, inform drivers of safe passing zones, and warn drivers about upcoming conditions.

When you see an emergency vehicle using its lights or hear it using its siren, you must immediately pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop.

It is illegal to drive so slowly that you disrupt the normal flow of traffic. You may receive a citation for driving too slowly.

After finding a parking space, checking traffic, and signaling, you should stop parallel to the vehicle directly ahead of your desired parking space before turning your wheel to park.

You should not use cruise control on snow, in rain, in fog, or under similar hazardous conditions. Winter is the most difficult driving season and requires extra caution from drivers. It is important to consistently check your antifreeze and windshield washer fluid levels. Using snow tires can increase a vehicle's traction on the surface of slippery roads.

In many collisions with motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, drivers reported that they were looking but still did not see the smaller vehicle or pedestrian. These can be more difficult to spot in traffic than passenger vehicles because they are smaller, may move faster, and have less noticeable lighting. To prevent collisions with these smaller and less protected road users, drivers should always be alert to the presence of motorcycles, bikes, and pedestrians.

If you are driving a motor vehicle in Louisiana, you automatically give your consent to an alcohol analysis test, upon officer request, that determines the alcoholic content of your blood and the presence of any abused or illegal controlled dangerous substances. If you refuse to submit to the test, your driving privileges will be suspended for 365 days on your first offense. If it is a second or subsequent offense, your driving privileges will be suspended for 730 days.

It is against the law to consume or possess any alcoholic beverage while on a public road or sidewalk. Additionally, storing an open alcoholic beverage container in an area of a motor vehicle normally occupied by the driver or passenger is prohibited on any public road.

Some actions associated with road rage include deliberately obstructing other drivers, tailgating, flashing headlights, cutting off or swerving in front of other drivers, pursuing another vehicle, threatening or aggressively communicating with other drivers, and using obscene gestures. If you see these actions or others that are associated with road rage, give the driver space and do not retaliate.

Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped with black markings on a yellow background. They alert drivers to upcoming hazards. This sign indicates that the divided highway is about to end.

Painted curbs indicate parking restrictions. When a curb is painted white, it indicates that only short stops are permitted.

The amount of space you need to cross traffic depends on the road conditions, weather conditions, and oncoming traffic.

Your vehicle's brake lights indicate to other drivers that you are slowing down or stopping. Your brake lights should always be in working order when you are driving on any roadway.

Yellow lines are used in the center of the road to separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.

If you miss your turn or exit, do not back up, but go on to the next turn or exit where you can safely turn around. It is illegal to back up on a shoulder or a freeway.

A steady downward green arrow over a traffic lane means you may use the lane indicated.

Consuming even a small amount of alcohol will impair your vision, judgment, concentration, and coordination.

Persons who are upset, angry, or otherwise distracted by their emotions should take time to cool off before driving a car. Taking out frustrations or anger while driving is exercising very poor judgment and is very dangerous to both the driver and others on the road.

If you are following another vehicle at a railroad crossing, check to make sure you have enough room to get all the way across before you drive onto the tracks. You should never try to pass another vehicle as you approach or cross a railroad crossing. Always check for trains before crossing any railroad tracks.

The "E" in the SIPDE acronym stands for "Execute a move." You should brake, accelerate, turn, or execute a different move when facing a dangerous situation on the road.

A steady yellow arrow indicates that a red arrow is about to appear. Stop unless you are already within the intersection.

Any medication could potentially affect your ability to drive. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the impact your prescription may have on your driving. Read the labels on over-the-counter medicines to determine if their side effects can impair your driving.

Warning signs are normally diamond-shaped and yellow, although orange warning signs are used in work areas. Such signs warn that you are approaching a hazardous location or an area where special rules apply.