Speed & Space Management

Study questions with answers

12 sample Speed & Space Management questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. In which situation should you increase your following distance?

   Correct answer: When following a large truck or bus

   Increase following distance when visibility is limited by weather or darkness, on slippery roads, and when following large vehicles or vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space to the Front

2. 2. One way to measure a safe following gap is to allow one vehicle length for every how much speed?

   Correct answer: Every 10 mph of speed

   Aim for one vehicle-length of space for each 10 mph on the speedometer.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space to the Front

3. 3. Which of the following affects the distance it takes to bring your vehicle to a complete stop?

   Correct answer: The condition of the pavement

   Stopping distance depends on the driver's reaction time, the speed of the vehicle, the condition of the brakes, and the condition of the pavement.

   Source: Section 5: Learning to Drive — Stopping the Vehicle

4. 4. In poor weather such as heavy rain or fog, a reasonable and safe speed is usually what?

   Correct answer: Slower than the posted speed limit

   When weather is poor or traffic is heavy, the safe pace is often below whatever the sign shows.

   Source: Section 4: Rules of the Road — Speed Limits

5. 5. Using the four-second method, how do you know you are following the vehicle ahead too closely?

   Correct answer: If you reach the fixed point before counting four seconds

   Pick a fixed point the vehicle ahead passes and count the seconds until you reach it; if you get there before counting to four, you are following too closely.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space to the Front

6. 6. How can you help the driver behind you keep a safe distance?

   Correct answer: Keep a steady speed and signal in advance

   Keep a steady speed, signal in advance, and leave more space to your front before slowing or turning so the driver behind can react.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space Behind

7. 7. You are following a bus that must stop at railroad crossings. What should you do with your following distance?

   Correct answer: Increase it, since the bus may stop at the tracks

   Leave more room behind any vehicle that has to halt at train tracks, like a bus or a hazardous-materials hauler.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space to the Front

8. 8. A 'space cushion' around your vehicle is important because it does what?

   Correct answer: Gives you time to react to other road users

   A space cushion is the room you keep between your vehicle and other road users, giving you time to react to their movements.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space Management

9. 9. To keep a good space cushion to the side of your vehicle, what should you avoid?

   Correct answer: Driving alongside another vehicle for a long time

   Don't linger alongside another car, because you could be sitting in its blind spot and you lose the gap you'd need to steer away from trouble.

   Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space to the Side

10. 10. For an attentive driver, how long does it typically take just to perceive that a stop is needed?

    Correct answer: About three-quarters of a second to one second

    On average, an alert person needs somewhere between three-quarters of a second and a full second just to notice the need to brake.

    Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space Management (Perception Time)

11. 11. No matter what number is posted, Ohio law caps your speed at what maximum?

    Correct answer: The speed that lets you stop within the clear distance ahead

    A reasonable speed lets you stop within the assured clear distance ahead; the law prohibits driving faster than allows you to stop in the distance available.

    Source: Section 4: Rules of the Road — Speed Limits

12. 12. What is the recommended minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead of you?

    Correct answer: About four seconds

    A good rule is roughly one car length back for each 10 mph you're going, which works out to about a four-second gap ahead.

    Source: Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space to the Front