When driving in bad weather, drivers should:
Answers
Increase their speed to reach their final destination more quickly.
Decrease their following distance.
Increase their following distance.
None of the above.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: Increase their following distance.
Explanation:
When driving in bad weather conditions, such as rain, snow, fog, or ice, it’s essential to adjust your driving habits to ensure safety. In these conditions, road traction can be reduced, visibility can be impaired, and stopping distances increase, all of which require drivers to take extra precautions. One of the most important adjustments is to increase your following distance.
Why increase following distance? In normal conditions, a general rule of thumb is to keep a following distance of about 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. However, during bad weather, this distance should be increased. A 4-6 second following distance is recommended, depending on the severity of the weather. This gives you more time to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly slows down or stops.
In reduced visibility conditions, like fog or heavy rain, drivers may not be able to see as far ahead as usual, making it more difficult to react in time. By increasing the following distance, drivers provide themselves with more time to stop or avoid an obstacle, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions, which are common in adverse conditions.
Why not decrease following distance? Decreasing your following distance, as some drivers might instinctively do to avoid feeling “boxed in” or to make it easier to merge, is dangerous in bad weather. This reduces the time available for braking or responding to sudden changes in traffic, significantly increasing the risk of an accident.
Why not speed up? Driving faster to reach your destination more quickly is also not a safe practice. Speeding in bad weather increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle, as it takes longer to stop and reduces your ability to maneuver safely.
In summary, when driving in poor weather conditions, the key to staying safe is to increase your following distance, drive slower, and allow more time to reach your destination.