Looking ahead, stopping distance and following distance

Key points

1. Try to look 20 to 30 seconds ahead of your car.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “Ideally, you should try to look at what is occurring 20 to 30 seconds in front of your car.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 49

2. At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking can take about 158 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 158 feet.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

3. Rear end crashes are more common than any other kind.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Rear-end crashes are more common than any other kind.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

4. Keep a following distance of at least 4 seconds.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “You should always try to keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds between your car and the vehicle in front.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

5. Following more closely than is reasonable and prudent is against the law.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “It is against the law to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

6. If you pass the fixed point before counting to one thousand four, you are following too closely.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “You are following too closely if you pass the stationary point before counting to one thousand four.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

7. Increase your following distance on slippery roads, behind large vehicles, and at night or in fog or bad weather.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Increase your following distance: On slippery roads When following large vehicles such as trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and vehicles pulling a trailer At night, in fog, or in bad weather”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

8. When a driver behind you wants to pass, ease up on the gas to help.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “When a driver behind you wants to pass, ease up on the accelerator to assist.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 51

9. Speed up or drop back, but do not stay in another driver's blind spot.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “Either speed up or drop back, but do not remain in another driver's blind spot.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 52

10. If you miss an interstate exit, never back up or turn around. Go on to the next exit.

    Source: Handbook p. 52

    “If you have passed your exit on an interstate or freeway, never back up or try to turn around. Proceed to the next exit and work your way back to where you want to go.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 52

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. What minimum following interval should a driver generally keep behind the vehicle ahead?

   1. Exactly one car length
   2. At least four seconds
   3. Two seconds only when traveling below 25 mph
   4. Less than one second when traffic is moving steadily
   Show answer

   At least four seconds. The manual recommends a minimum four-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. This is measured by watching the lead vehicle pass a fixed object, then counting until your vehicle reaches that same point. One car length changes with speed and does not provide a reliable interval. The two-second option is too short, and steady traffic is not a reason to follow within one second. Use a pole or sign as a timing marker, then add more space for poor conditions.

2. 2. How can a driver check whether the following distance is too short?

   1. Wait until the vehicle ahead brakes before measuring space
   2. Count the number of cars visible in the rearview mirror
   3. Count the seconds to reach a stationary point after the vehicle ahead passes it
   4. Use the posted speed limit as the distance in feet
   Show answer

   Count the seconds to reach a stationary point after the vehicle ahead passes it. To measure space, choose a sign, pole, or other stationary point. Start counting when the vehicle ahead passes it and compare the time your vehicle takes to reach the same point. Reaching it before the count reaches one thousand four means you are following too closely. Rearview visibility and the posted speed limit do not measure time or stopping space. Make the gap larger, then repeat the count at another fixed object.

3. 3. What braking distance does the Kentucky manual give at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes?

   1. About 30 feet
   2. About 158 feet
   3. About 500 feet
   4. About 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   About 158 feet. At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking distance alone can take about 158 feet, in addition to perception and reaction time. To check following distance, pick a stationary point and count; if you pass it before counting to one thousand four you are too close, so reduce speed and count again. Four seconds is the minimum, more in bad weather.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Eight: Safe Driving Tips. 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.