Following Distance
Measure following distance in seconds, not car lengths. In normal conditions keep at least 3 to 4 seconds: start counting when the car ahead passes a fixed object, and you should not reach it before you finish.
Add time in rain or snow, at night, and behind large trucks or motorcycles. If someone tailgates you, do not brake sharply; ease off and leave more room ahead.
Example: the car ahead passes a pole and you reach it at "one-thousand-two". You are too close; slow down.
Related questions
- Under normal conditions, the minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead is:
- Which correctly describes the counting method for following distance?
- When should you increase your following distance to 5 seconds or more?
- You are about to turn left and an oncoming car is approaching. You are not sure you have time. The safest choice is:
- On a multi-lane road, why should you avoid driving beside another vehicle for long?
- About how far does a loaded truck traveling 55 mph need to come to a complete stop?
- Why should you follow a motorcycle at a greater distance than a car?
- You are following a large truck on the freeway and cannot see the road ahead of it at all. What should you do?
- At night on an unlit road you catch up to another vehicle going your way and follow behind it. Within what distance of that vehicle must you switch off your high beams?
- You are following a large truck and realize you cannot see either of its side mirrors from where you are. What does that tell you?
- The road is slick after rain. On dry pavement you keep a 3 to 4 second following distance; now you should keep:
- What is the minimum following distance the official driver guide asks for behind the car ahead?
- On a clear day in normal traffic, you start counting as the car ahead passes a utility pole and reach the pole at "one thousand two." You should:
- The guide says, "Space around your car is time to react." What does this mean?
- Which following distance is not enough?
- You are driving with the flow of traffic on the freeway. Where does the guide say your eyes should go?
- Why does the guide stress spotting hazards ahead as early as possible?
- On a multi-lane freeway, a car in the next lane keeps driving right alongside you. You should:
- According to the guide, which skill is the hardest and most important for a new driver?
- When counting seconds to check following distance, what should you use as your marker?
- At night you are following another vehicle with your high beams on. At what distance must you switch to low beams?
- There is snow on the road. How should you drive?
- A driver who has used cannabis keeps misjudging the gap to oncoming cars at intersections and follows too closely. Which effect of cannabis does this reflect?
- Emotions and road rage, which of the following counts as aggressive driving as the manual defines it?
- It is raining and you are following a motorcycle. How should you adjust your following distance?
- The motorcycle ahead is clearly slowing down, but its brake light never comes on. What is the most likely reason?
- There is loose gravel and a rough pavement seam ahead, and a motorcycle is in front of you. What should you do?
- About how far does a loaded truck traveling at 55 mph need to come to a complete stop?
- You are following a large truck and cannot see the road ahead at all. What should you do?
- You are driving beside a Link light rail train in Seattle. What is the minimum distance to keep from the train?