Extra following distance — Maine Permit Test

Increase your following distance at night, in fog or in bad weather.

When you see less, you notice the stop ahead later and need the extra room.

Always increase your following distance:

Leave extra distance behind motorcycles and bicycles; a fall is most likely on wet or icy roads, metal surfaces such as bridge gratings or railroad tracks, or gravel.

A rider who falls in front of you is in the road before you can stop.

If the cyclist should fall, you will need extra distance to avoid striking the rider. The chances of a fall are greatest on wet or icy roads, metal surfaces (such as bridge gratings or railroad tracks), or on gravel.

Increase your following distance when you have a heavy load or pull a trailer, because the extra weight makes your braking distance longer.

A loaded car or trailer pushes you forward when you brake, so you need more room.

When you have a heavy load or are pulling a trailer, the extra weight increases your braking distance.

When you are stopped on a hill, leave a space cushion, because the vehicle ahead may roll back when it starts up.

A car that slips back a few feet will tap your bumper if you stopped right behind it.

You should also allow a space cushion when you are stopped on a hill. The vehicle ahead may roll back when it starts up.

Which of these calls for more than your usual following distance?

Driving at night or in fog. When you see less, you notice the stop ahead later and need the extra room. Maine Driver’s License Manual, p.85: “Always increase your following distance:”