On a highway with good visibility and dry road, the distance in front of a 30-foot bus should be how many seconds?

On a highway with good visibility and dry road, the distance in front of a 30-foot bus should be how many seconds?

• A. 2 seconds
• B. 3 seconds
• C. 4 seconds
• D. 6 seconds

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is to measure following distance in seconds, giving you a predictable cushion to react and stop behind a large vehicle. A 30-foot bus is long and heavier, so it requires more space to stop than a car would. On a highway with good visibility and dry pavement, a four-second gap provides enough time to notice the bus brake, react, and bring your vehicle to a stop without closing in too close. To check it in practice, pick a fixed object ahead and count seconds from when the front of the bus passes that object to when your own front bumper passes it; about four seconds means you’re maintaining a safe distance. If conditions worsen—wet roads, reduced visibility, or higher speeds—increase the gap beyond four seconds.

The essential idea is to measure following distance in seconds, giving you a predictable cushion to react and stop behind a large vehicle. A 30-foot bus is long and heavier, so it requires more space to stop than a car would. On a highway with good visibility and dry pavement, a four-second gap provides enough time to notice the bus brake, react, and bring your vehicle to a stop without closing in too close. To check it in practice, pick a fixed object ahead and count seconds from when the front of the bus passes that object to when your own front bumper passes it; about four seconds means you’re maintaining a safe distance. If conditions worsen—wet roads, reduced visibility, or higher speeds—increase the gap beyond four seconds.