Question

On rural roadways, what should be the minimum following distance?

1) 2 seconds
2) 3 seconds
3) 4 seconds
4) 5 seconds

Answer 1

The minimum recommended following distance on rural roadways is typically 2 seconds; however, a safer buffer of at least 3 seconds is often advised to account for reaction time and vehicle stopping distance. Calculating when it's safe to cross the road involves ensuring the crossing distance is more than the car's braking distance plus the driver's reaction time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The minimum following distance on rural roadways is generally recommended to be 2 seconds in ideal conditions, but this can vary depending on factors such as road conditions, weather, and visibility. Bridget's observation of cars traveling 50 m in 3 s indicates that cars are moving at a speed of roughly 60 km/h (16.67 m/s). Considering that the reaction time of a driver and the vehicle's stopping distance are crucial for safety, a following distance of at least 3 seconds is often advised to provide a safe buffer. This allows a driver enough time to perceive a hazard, react, and bring the vehicle to a stop. When calculating the safe distance to cross a road, one must consider the speed of an approaching car and ensure that there is enough distance to cross safely, which, according to scenario 14, requires a minimum of 4 m. The expectation is that the distance should be more than the braking distance of a car traveling at the local speed limit, along with the reaction time of the driver.