ICBC British Columbia Written Exam Practice Test 2025

What should be your following distance when driving behind another vehicle?

1. 1 second

2. 2 seconds

3. 3 seconds

4. 4 seconds

The correct answer is: 3 seconds

Maintaining a following distance of 3 seconds when driving behind another vehicle is crucial for ensuring safety on the road. This recommended distance allows you adequate time to react in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or slows down. To establish a 3-second following distance, you can use a fixed point on the road, such as a sign or a tree. Once the vehicle in front of you passes that point, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three." If you reach the point before you finish counting, you are too close and should increase your distance. This 3-second rule is particularly effective because it accounts for various factors that can affect stopping distance, such as road conditions, weather, and your own reaction time. It’s important to recognize that in adverse conditions, such as rain or snow, increasing that distance is advisable to ensure safe driving. A shorter following distance, such as 1 or 2 seconds, may not provide enough time to stop safely and could lead to rear-end collisions. A distance of 4 seconds provides even more room, which can be beneficial but may not be necessary in typical driving conditions, leading to potentially unnecessary delays for drivers behind you.