Key points
At 40 mph, total stopping distance is about 124 feet; at 55 mph, about 225 feet.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“At 40 mph, it can take about 124 feet total stopping distance. • At 55 mph, it can take about 225 feet in total stopping distance.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 58Headlights let you see about 400 feet, so drive at a speed that lets you stop within it, around 50 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“Your headlights let you see about 400 feet ahead. You should drive at a speed that allows you to stop within this distance, which is around 50 mph.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 58If rain or fog limits you to 200 feet, do not drive faster than 30 mph.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“If you cannot see more than 200 feet ahead because of rain or fog, you should not drive faster than 30 mph.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 58Use the four second sight distance rule; if you reach the object before counting four, slow down.
Source: Handbook p. 58
“If you reach the object before you finish saying “four-one-thousand (4-1000)”, you need to slow down, you are going too fast.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 58Use the two second rule to see if you are following too closely.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“Use the “two (2) second rule” to determine if you are following too close.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 59Some situations call for more space, such as a four second rule.
Source: Handbook p. 59
“There are situations where you need more space in front of your vehicle. You may need to use a four second rule to be safe.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 59When merging, you need a gap of about 4 seconds.
Source: Handbook p. 61
“When merging with other traffic, you need a gap of about four (4) seconds.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 61Look ahead at least 15 seconds: about 1 city block in town or a quarter mile on highways.
Source: Handbook p. 48
“you should look down the road at least one (1) city block, when driving in the city or one-quarter mile when driving on highways and interstates. You should be looking at least fifteen (15) seconds ahead.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 48
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 40 mph / 124 feet | stopping distance at 40 mph | Handbook p. 58 |
| 55 mph / 225 feet | stopping distance at 55 mph | Handbook p. 58 |
| 400 feet / 50 mph | headlight range and matching speed | Handbook p. 58 |
| 200 feet / 30 mph | visibility limit and top speed in rain or fog | Handbook p. 58 |
| 2 seconds | normal following distance | Handbook p. 59 |
| 4 seconds | gap needed to merge | Handbook p. 61 |
| 15 seconds | how far ahead to look | Handbook p. 48 |
| 1 city block | look ahead distance in the city | Handbook p. 48 |
3 questions from the Arkansas practice test
1. What following distance does the normal two second rule help a driver check?
- Whether the driver can stop within two feet
- Whether the vehicle is exactly two car lengths behind
- Whether the vehicle is following no closer than two seconds
- Whether a lane change must begin after two signals
Show answer
Whether the vehicle is following no closer than two seconds. The two second rule measures time rather than car lengths. When the vehicle ahead passes a stationary point, the driver counts until reaching that same point. Arriving before finishing the count means the gap is too short, so the driver should drop back and repeat the check. Two car lengths can be inadequate or excessive depending on speed, and the other choices confuse following distance with braking or signaling. Use a fixed object such as a sign or pavement mark as the reference. Rain, slippery pavement, poor visibility, or a motorcycle calls for additional space beyond the normal check.
2. What total stopping distance does the Arkansas guide give for a passenger car at 55 mph?
- About 50 feet
- About 500 feet
- About 1,000 feet
- About 225 feet
Show answer
About 225 feet. The average passenger car traveling at 55 miles per hour can stop within a total of 225 feet, and at 40 mph the total is about 124 feet. Those figures assume good tires, good brakes and dry pavement. If you cannot see a safe length ahead at your speed, you are not driving at a safe speed. Adjust speed to conditions and obey posted limits.
3. About how much total stopping distance does a car need at 40 mph, according to the Arkansas guide?
- About 335 feet
- About 40 feet
- About 225 feet
- About 124 feet
Show answer
About 124 feet. Even with good tires, brakes and dry pavement, at 40 mph it can take about 124 feet of total stopping distance, and at 55 mph about 225 feet. Stopping distance includes the perception and reaction time before the brakes act. Traveling too fast leaves no time to stop for a sudden object in the road, and you should never drive faster than you can see ahead.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Arkansas practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Chapter 5: Visibility, Reaction and Distance. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.