When following other vehicles, maintain a space cushion of at least:
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300 feet.
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Three seconds.
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200 feet.
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Two seconds.
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Explanation
When following other vehicles, you should maintain a space cushion of at least three seconds. This distance allows you enough time to react to sudden changes in traffic flow, such as the vehicle in front slowing down or stopping unexpectedly. The three-second rule provides a practical guideline for maintaining a safe distance, allowing you to adjust your speed accordingly and reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. At high speeds or in bad weather, you may need to increase your following distance.
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Other questions in the same category: Safe Following Distances
At highway speeds, in normal conditions, a safe following distance is at least _____ from the vehicle ahead of you.Drivers should allow a larger space cushion when stopping:Keeping a space cushion between you and the other vehicles around you is important because it:You are driving on a four-lane divided highway, two vehicles are driving side by side ahead of you, and you are in a hurry. You should:Drivers should increase their following distance:Drivers should maintain a two-second safe following distance when driving at:You should allow a four-second or more cushion when:Drivers should keep a minimum following distance of:You should allow for more space between you and the vehicle ahead when:
Most rear-end collisions are caused by the vehicle in the back following too closely.
This question appears in the following DMV practice tests: