Washington Written Drivers Permit Practice Test

What is a safe following distance in ideal conditions?

1. One car length

2. Two to three seconds behind the vehicle in front

3. Three to four seconds behind the vehicle in front

4. Five to six seconds behind the vehicle in front

The correct answer is: Three to four seconds behind the vehicle in front

A safe following distance in ideal conditions is typically three to four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This time interval allows drivers to maintain a sufficient distance to react to sudden changes in traffic, such as abrupt stops or slowdowns. Following at this distance significantly reduces the risk of collisions, giving you enough time to assess the situation ahead, respond appropriately, and stop safely if necessary. In practice, you can measure this by choosing a stationary object on the side of the road, such as a sign or tree. When the vehicle in front of you passes that object, you should be able to count either three or four seconds before your vehicle reaches the same point. This method helps ensure that you have adequate space to stop or maneuver if unexpected events occur. While one car length may seem like a straightforward guideline, it often does not account for variations in speed, weather conditions, or the type of vehicle in front of you. The two-second rule, while safer than a car length, can still be inadequate in certain situations, particularly at higher speeds or in heavy traffic. Five to six seconds is more cautious than necessary in ideal conditions; it may lead to unnecessary gaps that can cause traffic problems or encourage unsafe behavior in following vehicles.