New York permit test: following distance & space
Following-distance rules, stopping distance and keeping a space cushion. 4 questions.
What following distance does the New York manual recommend in good conditions?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample following distance & space questions
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What following distance does the New York manual recommend in good conditions?
- A At least one second
- B One car length for every 20 mph
- C At least six seconds
- D At least two seconds
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D. At least two seconds
Use the two-second rule: when the car ahead passes a fixed object, count 'one thousand one, one thousand two.' If you reach the object before you finish, you are too close.
How should you change your following distance in bad weather or behind a large truck?
- A Keep it at two seconds; the rule does not change
- B Reduce it so you can see around the truck
- C Increase it to at least three or four seconds
- D Increase it to at least ten seconds
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C. Increase it to at least three or four seconds
In bad weather and when following large trucks, increase your following distance to at least three or four seconds. You need more room to stop on slick roads and to see past large vehicles.
A driver is tailgating you. What should you do?
- A Tap your brakes to warn the driver
- B Speed up to increase the gap
- C Stop in your lane until the driver goes around
- D Move to another lane, or slow down and pull off to let the driver pass
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D. Move to another lane, or slow down and pull off to let the driver pass
If someone follows too closely, change lanes if possible, or slow down and pull off to let them by, signaling as you leave and return. Don't brake suddenly, which may startle them or escalate into road rage.
About how many crashes involve rear-end collisions, according to the New York manual?
- A Four of every 10
- B One of every 10
- C Two of every 10
- D Nine of every 10
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A. Four of every 10
Four of every 10 crashes are rear-end collisions, usually caused by following too closely. Keeping a space cushion and braking early and gently prevents most of them.