Texas Car / Permit practice question · Safe Driving Practices

In rain, fog, or on slippery roads, your following distance should be:

Answer choices

• shorter, so you can see the car ahead
• increased to give yourself more time and room to stop— Correct answer
• exactly the same as in dry weather
• reduced to keep traffic moving

Why this is the answer

Poor road conditions call for more space, not less. The handbook says to allow more time between you and the car ahead when roads are bad, and to add distance when the road is wet, crowded, or your vision is limited. Wet roads are slippery and harder to control. In bad weather, stay at least four seconds behind.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook — Driving in Bad Weather

Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026