Final answer:
Safe driving requires looking ahead to anticipate road conditions and hazards. On highways, this means looking 10-15 seconds ahead, and in city settings, at least one block or 12 seconds ahead. The ability to judge distances and necessary reaction time is crucial for road safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
A safe driver looks ahead to assess the traffic and road conditions to react timely and appropriately. The distance a safe driver should look ahead varies depending on speed and driving conditions; however, as a rule of thumb, drivers are advised to look 10 to 15 seconds ahead on the highway, which can translate to about 1/4 to 1/2 mile at highway speeds. In city driving, looking ahead for at least one block or 12 seconds can provide adequate time to respond to potential hazards. This concept is critical as it relates to reaction times and ensuring safety on the road.
For example, knowing how far ahead to look allows a driver like Peter, in a city's business district, to be prepared to navigate around slower vehicles safely. Keeping a safe following distance, measured in seconds rather than car lengths, and understanding the limitations of how we perceive distance at different speeds, such as relativistic speeds, are essential for safe driving. In calculating safe distances in specific situations, like crossing traffic with oncoming cars or when there's a stationary object on the side of the road, understanding the speed of the cars and the time it takes to cross safely is crucial.