Following distance — South Carolina Permit Test

The more space you leave between your vehicle and other road users, the more time you have to react; this is your space cushion.

Every hazard needs a moment to see and respond to, and space is what buys that moment.

The more space you allow between your vehicle and other roadway users, the more time you have to react.

Keep a following distance of no less than 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front.

Following too closely limits your view of the road and leaves no time to react before a collision.

Repeat until you are following no closer than 4 seconds.

To check following distance, count from when the car ahead passes a fixed point; if you reach the point before 'one thousand four', you are too close.

Counting against a fixed object turns a vague sense of distance into a check you can repeat.

You are following too closely if you pass the stationary point before counting to “one thousand four”.

Increase your following distance on slippery roads, at night, and in fog or inclement weather.

Stopping takes longer on slick roads and you see hazards later in the dark or fog.

At night, in fog, or in inclement weather

Increase your following distance behind vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings, such as transit buses, school buses, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials.

These vehicles stop at every crossing even with no train, and a close follower can run into them.

When following vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings, such as transit buses, school buses, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials

Increase your following distance behind large vehicles such as trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and vehicles pulling a trailer.

Large vehicles block your view ahead, so you need more room to react to what they hide.

When following large vehicles such as trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and vehicles pulling a trailer

What does a bigger space cushion around your car give you?

More time to react. Every hazard needs a moment to see and respond to, and space is what buys that moment. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.98: “The more space you allow between your vehicle and other roadway users, the more time you have to react.”