What distance from the preceding vehicle should you maintain standing before an interection, waiting for the green signal?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
B. A safe distance.
Explanation
In the photo you are waiting behind a silver car before a junction with traffic lights showing a red light; in the neighbouring lanes on the right, cars are also waiting. While waiting for green, you must keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front - answer B. The Road Traffic Act does not give any number of metres here, so answers A (minimum 0.5 m) and C (from 1 to 3 m) are made up.
The Act requires the driver to keep the distance needed to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front brakes or stops. A specific distance - at least 5 m when stopped - applies only in a tunnel. In practice you stop so that over the bonnet you can see the point where the rear wheels of the car in front touch the road - then you can go around it if it breaks down, and there is a buffer if someone hits you from behind and pushes you forward. On a hill you leave more space, because the vehicle in front of you may roll back when moving off.
Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 2 point 3 and Art. 47a of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)