A driver is maintaining a standard three-second following distance behind a passenger car on a highway at 50 mph. The driver then transitions to following a heavy commercial vehicle on wet pavement. Under safe driving practices and the Basic Speed Law, how should the driver adjust their following distance and speed control?
- Increase the following distance to at least 5 to 6 seconds and reduce speed as conditions warrant, improving visual scanning around the large vehicle and allowing a greater safety cushion for stopping.Answer
- BMaintain the three-second following distance as long as driving at the posted speed limit, because legal speed limits remain safe regardless of vehicle type or wet road surfaces.
- CReduce the following distance to two seconds to minimize road spray from the truck's tires hitting the windshield.
- DActivate high-beam headlights to see past the truck while keeping the same following distance and speed.
Answer
The driver should increase the following distance to at least 5 to 6 seconds and reduce speed as conditions warrant, improving visual scanning around the large vehicle and allowing a greater safety cushion for stopping.
The correct response recognizes that combining wet road surfaces with the visibility obstruction of a large commercial vehicle requires expanding the following distance to at least 5 to 6 seconds. This extra space cushion ensures sufficient time to react and stop safely if the lead vehicle brakes suddenly, while also improving the driver's forward field of view.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Adjusting speed and following distance for adverse conditions and large vehicles
Estimated Time:1m 0s