Increase your following distance when:
Driving behind a large vehicle that blocks your vision.
Exiting an expressway.
Following a motorcycle.
All of the above.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is “All of the above.”
Increasing your following distance is a crucial part of safe driving. Maintaining a safe distance behind other vehicles helps ensure that you have enough time to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions, reducing the likelihood of accidents. Here’s why each situation mentioned warrants an increased following distance:
1. Driving behind a large vehicle that blocks your vision:
When driving behind large vehicles such as trucks, buses, or trailers, your ability to see the road ahead is significantly limited. This reduced visibility means you cannot anticipate hazards or upcoming traffic conditions as easily. By increasing your following distance, you gain more time to react to any sudden changes, such as the vehicle in front braking or an obstacle appearing in the road.
2. Exiting an expressway:
Exiting an expressway typically involves a decrease in speed, which requires more time and space to safely maneuver. When leaving an expressway, it’s important to create enough distance between your car and the one ahead, so you can react to sudden deceleration or obstacles in the exit lane. This also allows you to adapt to changes in road curvature and sharp turns that can be more challenging if you are too close to the vehicle in front.
3. Following a motorcycle:
Motorcycles can be unpredictable, as they are more agile and smaller than other vehicles on the road. They can accelerate and decelerate quickly, often without warning, making it harder to gauge their speed and distance. When following a motorcycle, it’s essential to maintain a greater following distance to allow for more reaction time if they brake suddenly or change lanes unexpectedly.
In conclusion, increasing your following distance in these scenarios helps provide better visibility, allows more reaction time to potential dangers, and contributes to overall road safety.