Texas Drivers Ed Written Practice Test

What is the "two-second rule"?

1. A guideline for stopping distances

2. A method to maintain a safe following distance of at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front

3. A rule for safe merging

4. A method for timing traffic lights

The correct answer is: A method to maintain a safe following distance of at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front

The two-second rule is a crucial guideline for maintaining a safe following distance while driving. It advises drivers to stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front to allow sufficient time to react and stop if necessary. This rule is based on the principle that it takes about two seconds for a driver to respond to a situation and begin braking. To use the two-second rule, a driver can choose a fixed point on the road, such as a sign or a tree, and when the vehicle ahead passes that point, the driver should count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." If the driver's vehicle reaches the same point before finishing the count, the following distance is too close, and they should increase it. This method helps drivers maintain a safe distance that can protect against rear-end collisions and allows enough time to stop safely in case of sudden stops by the car ahead. Maintaining this distance is particularly important in adverse weather conditions when stopping distances may be longer than usual.