Following distance — Kansas Permit Test

Kansas law requires that you not follow a vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, and you must be able to stop or turn to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front suddenly stops.

The test is whether you could stop if the car ahead stopped now. If the answer is no, you are too close.

You must be able to stop or turn to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops.

Kansas uses the two-second rule for measuring a safe following distance under prime conditions, and a four-second rule under adverse conditions.

The gap doubles when the road turns bad. Rain and ice take away the grip the two seconds assumed.

Use the two-second rule for measuring a safe following distance under prime conditions. Under adverse conditions use a four-second following rule.

A Kansas driver should increase following distance behind vehicles that stop often or make sudden turns, such as buses, delivery vans and police cars.

These vehicles pull over without warning, because that is their job. Extra room turns a surprise into a routine stop.

When you are following vehicles, which stop often or make sudden turns (buses, delivery vans, police cars etc.) you should increase your following distance.

Following too closely in Kansas reduces the ability to see road and traffic conditions ahead.

The car in front becomes a wall. You lose the early warning that lets you slow down gently instead of braking hard.

Following too closely reduces the ability to see road and traffic conditions ahead.

What does Kansas require of following distance?

Enough room to stop or turn if the vehicle ahead stops. The test is whether you could stop if the car ahead stopped now. If the answer is no, you are too close. Kansas Driving Handbook, p.17: “You must be able to stop or turn to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops.”