A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Space is your reaction time. The gap ahead of you gives you and other drivers time to respond in an emergency, and most rear-end crashes happen because someone followed too closely. Arizona teaches the 3-6 second rule.
Counting seconds of following distance from a fixed point
3-6 second rule
When the car ahead passes a fixed point, count "one-thousand-one…". Passing that point before you finish counting means you're following too closely.
Entering from a side road or private drive, stop and wait for traffic to clear. Don't trust a turn signal — wait until the other driver commits to the turn.
Rain is falling and the car ahead passes an overpass. You reach it at "one-thousand-two." That's too close for poor conditions — ease off until you have a cushion of more than 3 seconds.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the minimum recommended following distance for most driving situations?
3 seconds
2 seconds
1 second
5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds
Allow at least a 3-second following distance for most driving situations.
If a driver is tailgating you, what is a recommended response?
Gradually slow down to add space ahead
Speed up to lose the tailgater
Brake suddenly to warn them
Turn on your high beams
Answer: Gradually slow down to add space ahead
If someone is following too closely, gradually slow down and give additional cushion between you and the vehicle ahead, which reduces how hard you must brake.
