Roadwise States South Dakota Driving lessons Following distance South Dakota driving lesson · Safe Driving Tips
Following distance A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Safe Driving Tips
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 48 The space in front of you is the space you control best. Following too closely blocks your view of the road and takes away your time to react.
The four-second count: Watch the rear of the vehicle ahead pass a sign, pole or other fixed point Count "one thousand one" through "one thousand four" If you reach the point before "one thousand four," you're too close Slow down and count again until you're no closer than four seconds Handbook p. 48 ↗ Four-second following distance Increase your following distance: On slippery roads When the driver behind wants to pass When following motorcycles or bicyclists Behind trucks, buses, vans or trailers whose drivers can't see you When hauling a heavy load or pulling a trailer When it's hard to see because of darkness or bad weather When you're being followed closely When following emergency vehicles Approaching railroad crossings (buses and hazmat vehicles must stop there) When stopped on a hill or incline, in case the vehicle ahead rolls back Handbook p. 48 ↗ Know the rule
Motorcycles and bicycles fall most often on wet, icy or gravel roads and on metal surfaces such as bridges, gratings and railroad tracks; leave room to avoid a fallen rider.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Know the rule
Slowing down when the driver behind wants to pass leaves room in front of you and lets the pass be completed sooner.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Put it into practice
You're following a gasoline tanker toward a railroad crossing. Drop back further: vehicles carrying hazardous materials, school buses and transit buses must stop at the crossing.
A useful reminder Count "one thousand one" to "one thousand four"; if you pass the point first, back off.
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 following distance recommended under normal conditions? 4 seconds 2 seconds 1 second 10 seconds Answer: 4 seconds
Always try to keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds between your car and the vehicle in front.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ How can you measure your following distance using a fixed point like a sign or pole? Use your speedometer reading alone Count seconds from when it passes to when you do Estimate distance in car-lengths only Count the number of other vehicles between you Answer: Count seconds from when it passes to when you do
Watch when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, then count the seconds until you reach that same point.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Another driver is following you too closely. What does the handbook say to do with the space in front of you? Close it up so the driver can't cut in Increase it so you can stop without being hit Keep it at exactly 2 seconds Keep it the same and speed up Answer: Increase it so you can stop without being hit
When being followed closely, allow extra room in front so you will be able to stop without being hit from behind.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Why should you increase following distance when the driver behind wants to pass you? It leaves room and lets the pass finish sooner It discourages them from passing It is required only on two-lane roads It lets you speed up after they pass Answer: It leaves room and lets the pass finish sooner
Slowing down to allow room in front lets the passing driver complete the pass more quickly and safely.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Why should you increase following distance behind a motorcyclist? Motorcycles brake much slower than cars It is only necessary in dry weather Motorcycles cannot stop on wet roads You need room in case the rider falls Answer: You need room in case the rider falls
If a motorcyclist falls, you need extra distance to avoid hitting the rider; falls are more likely on wet or gravel surfaces.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Why should you leave extra following distance behind vehicles carrying hazardous materials, like gasoline tankers? They may be required to stop at railroad crossings They always drive below the speed limit They must use the right lane only They are required to use hazard lights Answer: They may be required to stop at railroad crossings
Leave extra room for vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings, including those carrying hazardous materials.
Handbook p. 48 ↗ Previous lesson Speed management and stopping distance Next lesson Space to the side and behind More in Safe Driving Tips About the source Roadwise’s South Dakota course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 48. 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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