The two-second rule and space margins
ICBC's driving guide: See-think-do
Space margins are the areas of space you keep around your vehicle so that a space conflict has somewhere to resolve itself.
In front — at least two seconds in good weather and road conditions. Increase it to:
- three seconds on high-speed roads;
- four seconds in bad weather, or on uneven or slippery roads;
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Practice questions on this card
- Q-0302What is the minimum following distance in good weather and road conditions?
- Q-0303It is raining hard and the road is slippery. What following distance should you use?
- Q-0304You are following a motorcycle. What following distance does the manual recommend, and why?
- Q-0305How do you measure a three-second following distance?
- Q-0306Why does tailgating cost you twice?
- Q-0307How much space should you leave when stopped behind another vehicle at an intersection?
- Q-0310Why is reaction time the argument for following distance rather than for faster reflexes?
- Q-0311You are on an unpaved road behind another vehicle, with dust and gravel in the air. What following distance applies?
- Q-0317Why does slowing down early give your brake lights more value?
- Q-0322Why keep space beside your vehicle as well as in front?
- Q-0323What can you actually control about the space behind your vehicle?
- Q-0325You are behind a large vehicle that blocks your view of the road ahead. What following distance applies?
- Q-0327What makes a gap in traffic safe to move into?
- Q-0329Why is communication grouped with speed and space as a driving skill rather than as etiquette?
- Q-0330You are running late behind a driver going 30 km/h in a 50 zone, with no chance to pass. What should you not do?