A safe following distance when driving in normal conditions at speeds of 30 mph or slower is:
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4 seconds.
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3-6 seconds.
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None of the choices.
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2-4 seconds.
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Explanation
When driving at speeds of 30 mph or below, maintain a following distance of two to four seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead. This gives you enough time to react and stop safely if traffic suddenly slows or stops, reducing the risk of a rear-end collision.
As your speed increases, or if road conditions become less favorable - such as in poor visibility, wet or slippery roads, or heavy traffic - you should increase your following distance to at least four seconds or more to maintain a safe margin.
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Other questions in the same category: Safe Following Distances
Drivers should allow an extra cushion of space when following:You should increase your following distance:You should allow a four-second or more cushion when:A good rule for drivers to follow is to stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead.Drivers need to change their following distance when speed or road conditions change.It is best to keep a space cushion:When should you increase your following distance?Always maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. A safe following distance is defined as:To avoid a rear-end collision with the vehicle in front of you, you should:To safely stop in emergencies always allow a space cushion of at least:
This question appears in the following DMV practice tests: