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Difficulty: MediumSpeed Control and Following Distance

You are traveling on a rural two-lane highway with a posted speed limit of 55 mph55\text{ mph} when dense fog suddenly reduces forward visibility significantly. According to the Basic Speed Law and safe driving practices, how should you adjust your vehicle control?

  1. Reduce your speed below the posted limit to a rate that allows stopping within your clear line of sight, and increase your following distance to 6 seconds or more.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain 55 mph55\text{ mph} because the posted speed limit represents the legally permitted speed regardless of atmospheric weather conditions.
  3. C
    Slow down by only 5 mph5\text{ mph} and maintain the standard 3-second following distance, as 3 seconds is sufficient for all roadway conditions.
  4. D
    Maintain your current speed while reducing your following distance to 2 seconds in order to keep the tail lights of the lead vehicle in view.

Answer

Reduce your speed below the posted limit to a rate that allows stopping within your clear line of sight, and increase your following distance to 6 seconds or more.
The correct response recognizes that hazardous weather like heavy fog requires decreasing speed below the posted limit so the vehicle can stop within visible range, while simultaneously expanding the following distance to at least 6 seconds.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess environmental hazards
Identify that dense fog severely impairs forward sight line and reaction space.
Safe stopping distance must always be shorter than visible roadway distance.
2
Apply the Basic Speed Law
Reduce vehicle speed below the posted 55 mph55\text{ mph} limit.
The Basic Speed Law mandates driving at a safe speed for current conditions, regardless of posted maximum limits.
3
Adjust following distance interval
Increase following interval from the baseline 3-second rule to 6 seconds or greater.
Reduced visibility requires a larger safety cushion to compensate for delayed hazard identification.

Key Concept

Basic Speed Law and Extended Following Distance in Low Visibility
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Speed Control and Following Distance

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