When following other vehicles, maintain a space cushion of at least:
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300 feet.
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Two seconds.
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200 feet.
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Three 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
To avoid a rear-end collision with the vehicle in front of you, you should:To maintain a good “space cushion” between your vehicle and the one ahead, you should use the:You need extra following distance when:For speeds greater than 30 mph, a safe following distance should be: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:Any time a driver wants to merge with other traffic, they should:Drivers should maintain a two-second safe following distance when driving at:It is best to keep a space cushion:Keeping a space cushion between you and the other vehicles around you is important because it:A good rule for drivers to follow is to stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
This question appears in the following DMV practice tests: