Following distance — Wyoming Permit Test

In Wyoming, if you are driving a car, stay at least 2 seconds back from the vehicle ahead.

Rear-end crashes from following too close are very common, and 2 seconds is the time you need to see trouble and brake.

If you are driving a car, stay at least two seconds back from the vehicle ahead.

To use the two-second rule, start counting when the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point such as a pole, shadow or pavement marking.

A fixed point gives you a fair way to measure the gap, at any speed, without guessing distance.

When the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes the fixed point, start counting the number of seconds it takes you to reach the same point.

If the front of your vehicle passes the fixed point before you count off 2 seconds, you are too close to the vehicle ahead.

If you get there that fast, you would not have time to stop if the car ahead braked hard.

If the front of your vehicle passes the fixed point before you count off two seconds, you are too close to the vehicle ahead.

Counting seconds is easier and more accurate than trying to judge following distance in vehicle lengths.

Few people can judge car lengths well at speed, but anyone can count, and the count grows with speed on its own.

It is easier to use and is more accurate than trying to judge vehicle lengths.

The two-second following distance rule is simple to use and works at all speeds.

At higher speeds you cover more ground in 2 seconds, so the gap grows by itself as you speed up.

The two-second following distance rule is simple to use and works at all speeds.

You must allow at least 2 seconds of following distance for each 20 feet of vehicle length.

A longer vehicle is heavier and needs more room to stop, so the gap grows with its length.

YOU MUST ALLOW AT LEAST TWO SECONDS FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR EACH 20 FEET OF VEHICLE LENGTH.

Bus drivers should stay at least 4 seconds back from the vehicle ahead.

A bus is long and heavy and takes much longer to stop than a car.

Bus drivers should stay at least four seconds back and tractor-trailer drivers at least six seconds back.

Tractor-trailer drivers should stay at least 6 seconds back from the vehicle ahead.

A loaded rig weighs many times more than a car and needs far more road to stop.

Bus drivers should stay at least four seconds back and tractor-trailer drivers at least six seconds back.

Towing a boat or trailer adds length and weight to your vehicle and therefore requires more following distance.

Extra weight pushes you forward when you brake, so it takes longer to stop.

Towing boats or trailers adds length and weight to your vehicle and therefore requires more following distance.

At least how many seconds back should a car driver stay from the vehicle ahead?

2 seconds. Rear-end crashes from following too close are very common, and 2 seconds is the time you need to see trouble and brake. Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, p.75: “If you are driving a car, stay at least two seconds back from the vehicle ahead.”