Hawaii Drivers Permit Practice Test

What is the recommended following interval to avoid traffic accidents?

1. Close enough so no one will cut in front of you.

2. Found by spacing your vehicle at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.

3. 100 feet.

4. 75 feet.

The correct answer is: Found by spacing your vehicle at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.

The recommended following interval of at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead is crucial for maintaining safe distances between vehicles. This guideline helps drivers react to sudden stops or emergencies. By using the 2-second rule, a driver can gauge the appropriate distance based on their speed; this distance effectively allows for more time to react and avoid collisions, particularly in congested traffic or adverse weather conditions. This method is simple to apply; a driver can choose a fixed point on the road, such as a sign or a tree. When the vehicle in front passes that point, the driver should ideally see that their own vehicle reaches the same point after at least 2 seconds. This ensures that the driver has enough time to stop safely without rear-ending the car in front. This practice is especially important because the stopping distance increases with higher speeds and can also be affected by road conditions and vehicle braking capabilities.