Minnesota Permit Practice Test

Question: 1 / 400

When driving behind another vehicle, what does the 3-second rule refer to?

A distance of 3 feet

Time to react and stop

The 3-second rule refers to the amount of time a driver should maintain as a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of them. This principle is based on the idea that giving yourself a three-second buffer allows enough time to react and stop safely if the car ahead suddenly brakes or stops.

To apply this rule, a driver will pick a stationary object on the side of the road, such as a sign or tree. When the vehicle in front passes that object, the driver should be able to count to three before reaching the same object. If the driver reaches the object before counting to three, it indicates that they are following too closely and should increase their distance.

This guideline is crucial because it helps to prevent rear-end collisions by ensuring that the driver has sufficient time to react to unexpected changes in traffic conditions. Adjusting the following distance based on speed and road conditions is also important, as it provides a greater margin of safety in various driving situations.

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A distance of 3 car lengths

Time to change lanes safely

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