Question

You are driving a 40 foot vehicle at 35mph. The road is dry, visibility is is the least amount of space (in seconds) you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?

Answer 1

To maintain a safe following distance in a 40-foot vehicle at 35mph, drivers should use the 3-second rule to ensure they have adequate space to react and stop in case of an emergency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the concept of following distance, which is the space a driver should maintain in front of their vehicle for safety. When driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35mph, it is generally recommended to keep a gap that allows for at least a 3-second reaction time. To calculate the safe following distance, you can use the rule of thumb as follows:

• Locate a fixed point ahead such as a sign or a tree.
• When the rear end of a vehicle in front of you passes that point, begin counting in seconds ('one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three').
• If you pass the same fixed point before you reach 'one thousand three', you are too close and need to increase your following distance.

This method accounts for the driver's reaction time, as well as providing enough space for braking to avoid a collision. It should be noted that larger vehicles or adverse conditions may require an increased following distance for additional safety.