What does Oregon's handbook define as a safe following distance under most conditions?
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A.
1 second.
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B.
2-4 seconds. Correct
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C.
5-7 seconds.
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D.
10 seconds.
The answer is "2-4 seconds."
A safe following distance is 2-4 seconds. At speeds greater than 30 mph, the handbook recommends 4 seconds or more, since the extra second gives you time to make a decision and take action. Wet roads, heavy loads, and reduced visibility call for even more space.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. 1 second.
1 second is below the 2-second floor; the manual's own check says you are following too closely if you reach the same spot before counting at least two seconds. Misreading: Treats the 'too close' threshold as the safe distance; under 2 seconds is following too closely, not safe.
C. 5-7 seconds.
Extra space is always safer, but the published rule is 2-4 seconds, not 5-7. Misreading: Inflates the published range; the manual defines 2-4 seconds, not 5-7.
D. 10 seconds.
10 seconds is well above the handbook's 2-4 second range. Misreading: Confuses following distance with a far longer rule; the manual defines 2-4 seconds, not 10.
This question tests your knowledge of Defensive Driving in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Maintaining a Space Cushion, Following Distance," p.26..
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