Final answer:
For safety on a one-way or divided highway, reflective triangles should be placed at staggered distances behind the vehicle—10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet—to alert oncoming traffic.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you must stop on a one-way or divided highway, and you need to place your reflective triangles for safety, it is recommended to follow the guidelines set by traffic safety regulations. The distances for placing these triangles depends on the speed of oncoming traffic and visibility on the road. Positioning reflective triangles at correctly spaced intervals helps alert oncoming drivers to your presence and the need to slow down or move over.
According to typical safety guidelines, for high-speed roadways, you should place the first triangle 10 feet from the rear of the vehicle to warn nearby traffic immediately. The second triangle should be placed approximately 100 feet behind the vehicle to give drivers who are further away from you ample notice. Lastly, the third triangle should be placed 200 feet from your vehicle, providing a larger buffer for oncoming traffic to react and slow down safely. These distances provide a staggered alert system for oncoming traffic, giving drivers optimal time to notice your stopped vehicle and react accordingly.