North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

In normal traffic and good weather, a following distance of how many seconds should provide sufficient stopping distance?

1. 1 second

2. 2 seconds

3. 3 seconds

4. 4 seconds

The correct answer is: 2 seconds

A following distance of two seconds in normal traffic and good weather is recommended to provide sufficient stopping distance. This measure allows drivers enough time to respond to sudden changes in the traffic situation, such as the vehicle in front coming to an unexpected stop. By maintaining a two-second gap, drivers can observe the actions of the vehicle ahead and react appropriately, which is crucial for safe driving. Calculating a two-second following distance involves picking a fixed reference point on the road and counting the seconds until the rear of the vehicle in front passes that point. This method helps ensure that there is adequate space to stop or maneuver, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. In contrast, shorter following distances may not allow enough time to react in a situation requiring sudden braking, particularly in the event of obstacles or emergencies.