Following distance, stopping distance and turns

Key points

1. A basic rule of driving: at all times, control your vehicle to avoid a crash.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “A basic rule of driving is that, at all times, the driver should control the vehicle to avoid a crash.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

2. Most rear end crashes are caused by following too closely.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Always keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Most rearend crashes are caused by following too closely.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

3. The MVA recommends at least 3 to 4 seconds of following distance in ideal conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “The MVA recommends a minimum following distance of 3 to 4 seconds under ideal driving conditions.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

4. Behind buses or delivery vans that stop often, leave 4 or 5 seconds, or more.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “you should increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you to four or five seconds, and possibly more if needed.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

5. Stopping distance depends on how fast you see the danger, the road, your tire tread and your brakes.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “The amount of time it takes you to see that there is a dangerous situation. The type and condition of the road. The condition of your tire treads. The condition of your vehicle's brakes.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

6. Stay in a single lane, and do not drift across lane lines or change lanes in an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “You should not drift across lane lines or make lane changes when in an intersection.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

7. Turn on your signal before you get to the turn so others know your plan.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Switch on your turn signal before you get to the turn to let other drivers know what you plan to do.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

8. For a legal U turn, signal left, stop and yield to oncoming traffic, then turn into the right hand lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “turn on your left turn signal and stop and yield for traffic coming toward you. When the way is clear, turn into the outside or right-hand lane”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maryland practice test

1. 1. What is the main purpose of defensive driving in Maryland?

   1. To make other drivers yield whenever you signal
   2. To keep the vehicle at the posted speed in every condition
   3. To avoid crashes by controlling the vehicle and responding to risks
   4. To watch only the road directly in front of the vehicle
   Show answer

   To avoid crashes by controlling the vehicle and responding to risks. Defensive driving means controlling the vehicle so risks are identified early and a crash can be avoided. The manual connects this approach with searching ahead, watching the front, sides, and rear, and being ready to change speed or lane. The speed-only choice ignores changing road conditions, while signaling does not give you automatic priority over another driver. Watching only the front leaves important hazards outside your view. A useful cue is to scan continuously and leave yourself time to respond before a problem becomes urgent.

2. 2. What minimum following distance does the MVA recommend under ideal driving conditions?

   1. Three to four seconds
   2. Two seconds
   3. One second
   4. Ten feet at every speed
   Show answer

   Three to four seconds. The MVA recommends at least three to four seconds behind the vehicle ahead when conditions are ideal. This time-based method remains useful as speed changes because it measures space through a reference point rather than a fixed number of feet. The one-second choice leaves little time to notice and react if traffic brakes. On wet roads, or behind a bus or delivery van that stops often, increase the interval beyond the baseline. Pick a bridge, sign, or mile marker and count after the lead vehicle passes it.

3. 3. What following gap should you use behind a bus or delivery van that stops often?

   1. Four or five seconds, and possibly more if needed
   2. The same three seconds required in every condition
   3. One second because the vehicle is moving slowly
   4. One car length regardless of speed
   Show answer

   Four or five seconds, and possibly more if needed. Vehicles that stop frequently require more room because their speed and position can change repeatedly. The manual advises four or five seconds, with still more space when conditions call for it. The ordinary three to four second recommendation is a baseline for ideal conditions, not an upper limit for a delivery vehicle. One second leaves little time for a sudden stop, and a car length is not a reliable measure because its meaning changes as speed changes. Watch the vehicle ahead and expand the gap before it brakes again.

Source: the Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 3: Basic Driving. 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.