How long should you wait at an intersection after the vehicle ahead starts moving?

How long should you wait at an intersection after the vehicle ahead starts moving?

• A. 1-2-3 seconds
• B. 2-3-4 seconds
• C. 3-4-5 seconds
• D. 4-5-6 seconds

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is keeping a safe following distance using a time-based rule. After the car in front starts moving, you give a brief, measured pause before entering the intersection so you can confirm the path is clear and the vehicle ahead isn’t going to brake suddenly. In normal conditions, waiting about one to three seconds provides enough cushion to watch for pedestrians, turning vehicles, or anything else that could affect your path. You can judge this by picking a fixed object and counting; wait until you reach the three-second mark before moving. If weather or visibility is poor, or traffic is heavy, you’d increase that gap, but under typical conditions one to three seconds is the right range. Longer gaps aren’t typically necessary and can slow traffic unnecessarily.

The idea being tested is keeping a safe following distance using a time-based rule. After the car in front starts moving, you give a brief, measured pause before entering the intersection so you can confirm the path is clear and the vehicle ahead isn’t going to brake suddenly. In normal conditions, waiting about one to three seconds provides enough cushion to watch for pedestrians, turning vehicles, or anything else that could affect your path. You can judge this by picking a fixed object and counting; wait until you reach the three-second mark before moving. If weather or visibility is poor, or traffic is heavy, you’d increase that gap, but under typical conditions one to three seconds is the right range. Longer gaps aren’t typically necessary and can slow traffic unnecessarily.