Don’t follow other cars too closely because:
- You may not see the road between the cars.
- You may not have time to stop if the vehicle in front of you slows or stops suddenly. ✓
- You may not see the vehicle's turn signals.
- You may not see the other vehicle’s brake lights.
Answer: B. You may not have time to stop if the vehicle in front of you slows or stops suddenly.
Don't follow other cars too closely because you may not have time to stop if the vehicle in front of you slows or stops suddenly.
Why this is the answer
The manual's defensive driving chapter says tailgating causes most rear-end crashes and that you should leave enough room between your car and the one ahead so you can stop safely if that vehicle stops suddenly. It gives the two-second rule as a way to check that gap: pick a fixed object ahead, and if you reach it before counting to two, you are too close. The point of that space is stopping room.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. You may not see the road between the cars. — The manual's reason for space is stopping distance, not being able to see the pavement between cars.
- C. You may not see the vehicle's turn signals. — The manual does not list trouble seeing turn signals as the reason to keep your distance.
- D. You may not see the other vehicle’s brake lights. — The manual does not say close following hides brake lights; it says to brake early and gently so drivers behind you get warning.
Remember it
Pick a sign or tree ahead, count to two when the car in front passes it — if you get there first, back off.