KSA Driving Theory Practice

Safety Distance: Practice Questions

The purpose of a safety distance is to let you stop in time if the vehicle ahead slows suddenly or stops. You must keep a sufficient distance when driving behind a vehicle and when preparing to pass it. Following too closely leaves you too little time to stop if the vehicle in front brakes. Increase your distance on wet or sandy roads, when following a motorcycle on a one-lane road, and when your own vehicle is heavily loaded, because a heavier vehicle needs more distance to stop.

6 questions · Handbook pp. 180–182 · Unit 5: Speed & Distance

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Question 1When must you keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead?

  1. AOnly on highways
  2. BWhen driving behind it and when preparing to pass it (correct answer)
  3. COnly when following trucks
  4. DOnly when it is raining

Correct answer: B. Drivers driving behind other vehicles or preparing to pass them must keep a sufficient distance to avoid an accident.Source: Handbook p. 180

Question 2What is the purpose of the safety distance?

  1. ATo stop safely in time if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops (correct answer)
  2. BTo save fuel
  3. CTo see the traffic lights better
  4. DTo let other cars cut in

Correct answer: A. If the front vehicle suddenly slows down or stops, the driver behind must be able to stop safely in time.Source: Handbook p. 181

Question 3When should you increase your safety distance?

  1. AOn a wet or sandy road (correct answer)
  2. BOn a dry road in daylight
  3. CWhen following a car with new tires
  4. DWhen your car is empty

Correct answer: A. Bad road conditions such as wet or sandy roads are a reason to increase the safety distance.Source: Handbook p. 181

Question 4You are following a motorcycle on a one-lane road. What should you do?

  1. ADrive closer so the rider sees you
  2. BKeep the normal distance used for cars
  3. COvertake immediately
  4. DIncrease your safety distance (correct answer)

Correct answer: D. Driving behind vehicles such as motorcycles on a one-lane road is a reason to increase the safety distance.Source: Handbook p. 181

Question 5Your vehicle is heavily loaded. How does this affect your following distance?

  1. AIt does not matter
  2. BOnly the vehicle ahead must adjust
  3. CYou can reduce it
  4. DYou should increase it (correct answer)

Correct answer: D. Driving a heavily loaded vehicle is one of the reasons for increasing the safety distance.Source: Handbook p. 181

Question 6Why does following too closely increase the risk of a collision?

  1. AYou don't have enough time to stop when the vehicle in front brakes (correct answer)
  2. BYour engine overheats
  3. CYour fuel consumption rises
  4. DYour headlights dazzle the driver ahead

Correct answer: A. Without a safe distance you don't have enough time to stop when the driver ahead applies the brakes.Source: Handbook p. 182

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