New York DMV Permit Written TestSafe Driving PracticesEasy
When driving on a wet road, how much should you increase your following distance compared to driving on a dry road?
- AYou should triple your following distance.
- BYou should double your following distance.
- CYou should maintain the same following distance.
- DYou should increase your following distance by half.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. You should double your following distance.
Wet roads significantly reduce tire traction, increasing the distance needed to stop safely. Doubling your following distance provides a safer margin.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While tripling is very safe, doubling is the standard minimum recommendation for wet conditions.
- C. Maintaining the same following distance on wet roads is unsafe due to reduced traction.
- D. Increasing by only half may not provide a sufficient safety margin on wet surfaces.
Following Distance on Wet Roads
The safe space a driver should maintain behind another vehicle when road surfaces are wet due to rain or other moisture.
- Wet roads reduce tire traction.
- Stopping distances increase significantly.
- Double your normal following distance.
Memory trick: Wet roads mean double the gap, or you'll be in a trap.