Stopping Distance and Following

Key points

1. Rear end collisions are the number 1 crash type on Nevada roads.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “The rear-end collision is the number one crash type on Nevada’s streets and highways.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

2. Normal reaction times are 2 to 2.5 seconds.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Highway safety studies show normal reaction times are 2 to 2.5 seconds.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

3. Double your speed from 30 to 60 mph and braking distance becomes 4 times as long.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “if you double your speed say from 30 mph to 60 mph your braking distance does not become twice as long. It becomes four times as long.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

4. At 30 mph on ice, stopping takes about 373 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “if you are going 30 mph, your stopping distance on ice would be 373 feet, well over the length of a football field.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

5. Look ahead at least 12 seconds, to where your vehicle will be 12 seconds from now.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Look ahead at least 12 seconds. This means at a minimum you look ahead to where your vehicle will be 12 seconds from now.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 42

6. At 40 mph or less, stay at least 2 seconds behind; up to 4 seconds is recommended.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “If you are driving 40 mph or less, stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This is a minimum following distance. Most driving instructors recommend up to four seconds.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 42

7. At 55 mph you need almost 7 seconds to stop even with perfect brakes.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “if you are traveling at 55 mph, you would need almost seven seconds to stop with perfect brakes and ideal road conditions.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 42

8. With four wheel ABS, push the brake down hard, hold it and steer where you want to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “push the brake pedal down hard, hold it down firmly and steer in the direction you want the car to go.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 40

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Nevada practice test

1. 1. At 40 mph or less, what minimum following distance does the handbook recommend?

   1. Exactly one second behind the vehicle ahead
   2. At least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead
   3. At least eight seconds behind the vehicle ahead
   4. No timed gap if the road is dry
   Show answer

   At least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead. For travel at 40 mph or less, the handbook gives two seconds as the minimum gap behind the vehicle in front. It also notes that instructors often recommend up to four seconds and that higher speeds, slippery surfaces, or reduced visibility call for more room. One second leaves little reaction time, while eight seconds is not the stated minimum for ordinary conditions. Dry pavement does not eliminate the need for space. Choose a fixed roadside object, start counting when the lead vehicle passes it, and make sure your front bumper reaches it after the count.

2. 2. What normal reaction time do highway safety studies cite in the Nevada handbook?

   1. Half a second
   2. 10 seconds
   3. 5 seconds
   4. 2 to 2.5 seconds
   Show answer

   2 to 2.5 seconds. Highway safety studies show normal reaction times are 2 to 2.5 seconds, and the handbook's stopping chart assumes a 2.5 second reaction time on dry level pavement. Doubling speed from 30 to 60 mph far more than doubles braking distance, and on ice a car at 30 mph needs about 373 feet to stop, well over a football field, so winter following distance must grow accordingly.

3. 3. How far ahead does the Nevada handbook's search rule say to look?

   1. 2 seconds
   2. 30 seconds
   3. At least 12 seconds ahead of where your vehicle will be
   4. One block
   Show answer

   At least 12 seconds ahead of where your vehicle will be. Defensive driving starts with searching at least 12 seconds ahead to where your vehicle will be; pick a fixed object and count one thousand one, one thousand two until you reach it. The 12 second rule lets you watch traffic patterns and react to changes early, while the two second minimum following distance handles the car directly ahead. Scanning far ahead reveals brake lights, merges and hazards in time to act.

Source: the Nevada Driver's Handbook, Chapter 3: Stopping and Defensive 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.