Walk It Through: The Morning Drive
Reasonable and prudent, a lane away or 20 under, and ten feet back from a red bus.
Snow covers a road posted at 55, and the car ahead is barely visible.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One driver's commute. Residence district limits, the injury fines and suspensions for an emergency response area, and the bus fine surcharge are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Assured clear distance aheadThe distance a driver has to be able to stop within; no one may drive faster than will allow stopping within it, or faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions.
- Summary offenseThe lowest grade of offense, punishable by not more than 90 days, with a fine of up to $300 unless a higher fine is set.