Texas Defensive Driving Written Practice Test

How far should you stay behind a vehicle when following it?

1. One car length

2. Two seconds of following distance

3. Four feet

4. As closely as possible

The correct answer is: Two seconds of following distance

Maintaining a following distance of at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you is crucial for safe driving. This guideline ensures that you have adequate time to react to sudden stops or emergencies, allowing for a safe stopping distance. The two-second rule is based on a systematic approach to distance that accounts for speed and road conditions. When you measure your distance using this rule, you should pick a stationary object on the side of the road, like a sign or a tree. As the vehicle in front of you passes that object, you should be able to count to two before you reach the same point. This helps to create a buffer zone that can absorb unexpected situations, such as sudden braking or other traffic interruptions. A car length alone could vary significantly based on the size of the vehicles in question and might be insufficient at higher speeds or under poor conditions. Similarly, four feet does not account for the varying stopping distances needed depending on speed and conditions, while following as closely as possible is inherently unsafe as it diminishes your reaction time. Maintaining a two-second following distance provides a balance of safety and control.