The Importance of Safe Following Distance When Driving a 40-Foot Vehicle

Driving a 40-foot vehicle at 45 mph

Driving a 40-foot vehicle at 45 mph is you. Ideal road conditions (dry pavement, good visibility) exist. The bare minimum distance you should maintain in front of your car to stay safe is 4 seconds.

The Four-Second Rule

The "four-second rule" is a basic guideline for defining a safe following distance. This indicates that you should follow the car in front of you by at least four seconds. Choose a stationary item along the side of the road, like a tree or a sign, to use as your guide for the four-second following distance. Count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three, one thousand and four" when the car in front of you passes the object.

You are driving a 40 foot vehicle at 45 MPH. Driving conditions are ideal (dry pavement, good visibility). What is the least amount of space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?

a. 2 seconds
b. 3 seconds
c. 4 seconds
d. 5 seconds

Driving a 40-foot vehicle at 45 mph is you. Ideal road conditions (dry pavement, good visibility) exist. The bare minimum distance you should maintain in front of your car to stay safe is 4 seconds.