Roadwise States Kansas Driving lessons Following distance and space around you Kansas driving lesson · Visual Search, Speed & Space Management
Following distance and space around you A 4-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 4 minutes
Course unit Visual Search, Speed & Space Management
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 62, 63, 64 A cushion of space around your car buys you time to react. Rear-end crashes happen when drivers follow too closely and can't stop when the car ahead stops, so keep space ahead, behind and to the sides.
Know the rule
Keep a minimum following distance of two seconds, adding a second for any unusual weather or traffic condition.
Handbook p. 62 ↗ Checking your following distance: Watch the vehicle ahead pass a sign, pole or other fixed point Count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two' until you reach the same point If you pass it before 'one-thousand-two,' you're following too closely Slow down and count again until you're no closer than two seconds Handbook p. 62 ↗ Leave more than two seconds when: The road is slippery A driver behind wants to pass (slow down so the pass takes less time) Following a motorcycle; if it falls you need room to stop or steer Following trucks, buses, vans or trailers that can't see you or that block your view Carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer It's hard to see because of darkness or bad weather You're being followed closely Following police, ambulances and fire trucks Following vehicles that must stop at rail crossings: transit and school buses, hazmat carriers Stopped behind a vehicle on a hill, since it may roll back Handbook p. 63 ↗ 500 feet Many states require staying this far behind emergency equipment: at least 12 seconds at 30 mph, 6 seconds at 60 mph
Handbook p. 63 ↗ Know the rule
Help the driver behind keep a safe distance: keep a steady speed, signal in advance, and leave more space ahead before slowing or turning.
Handbook p. 63 ↗ Know the rule
If tailgated (closer than two seconds) and there's an empty lane, move over. If not, wait until the road ahead is clear and slow down gradually so they go around. Never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater.
Handbook p. 64 ↗ Know the rule
When followed too closely, increase your own following distance by 2 to 3 seconds so you won't need to stop suddenly.
Handbook p. 64 ↗ Space to the side: Avoid driving next to other vehicles on multi-lane roads; speed up or slow down to stay clear Keep away from oncoming traffic; on a two-way road don't crowd the centerline Generally drive in the center of your lane so you can move either way Move over a lane, if it's empty, for vehicles entering a limited-access road Move to the left part of your lane, without crossing the centerline, to pass parked cars Give extra space to pedestrians and bicyclists, especially children Move to the outside of your lane when a tractor-trailer passes you Handbook p. 64 ↗ Put it into practice
Heavy rain starts on the highway. Your normal two seconds becomes at least three, adding one second for the weather. If a car starts tailgating you, add 2 to 3 more seconds in front.
A useful reminder Minimum following distance: two seconds, plus one for each unusual weather or traffic condition.
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 behind another vehicle in good conditions? Five seconds Two seconds One second Ten seconds Answer: Two seconds
Page 62 says to keep a minimum following distance of two seconds, adding a second for unusual weather or traffic (note p.77 separately uses a 3-second minimum).
Handbook p. 62 ↗ How much additional following distance should you add for unusual weather or traffic conditions? At least one additional second About half a second Reduce distance instead to keep pace No additional distance is needed Answer: At least one additional second
Add at least one additional second of following distance for unusual weather or traffic conditions.
Handbook p. 62 ↗ Why should you increase your following distance when behind a motorcycle? Motorcycles accelerate more slowly than cars Motorcycle brake lights are hard to see If the rider falls, you need extra room to react It is required only in bad weather Answer: If the rider falls, you need extra room to react
Motorcycles have different braking characteristics, and if the rider falls, you need extra distance to avoid hitting them.
Handbook p. 63 ↗ The handbook notes many states require other vehicles to stay how far behind emergency equipment? At least 500 feet At least 50 feet At least 100 feet At least 1,000 feet Answer: At least 500 feet
The handbook notes that many states require staying at least 500 feet behind emergency equipment in operation.
Handbook p. 63 ↗ If you're stopped behind another vehicle on a hill, why should you leave extra space? It's required by law on all hills and steep inclines The vehicle ahead may roll back before moving forward It lets you see the traffic light It allows faster acceleration Answer: The vehicle ahead may roll back before moving forward
Extra space on a hill protects you in case the vehicle ahead rolls backward before it starts moving forward.
Handbook p. 63 ↗ If your vehicle is being tailgated, what should you avoid doing? Increasing your following distance ahead Gradually reducing speed to encourage a pass Moving over to an empty lane, if one is available Slowing down quickly to discourage the tailgater Answer: Slowing down quickly to discourage the tailgater
Never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater; doing so increases the risk of being hit from behind.
Handbook p. 64 ↗ Previous lesson Adjusting speed for road conditions Next lesson Space to merge, cross and pass More in Visual Search, Speed & Space Management About the source Roadwise’s Kansas course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 62, 63, 64. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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