What distance from the preceding vehicle should you maintain standing before an interection, waiting for the green signal?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
C. A safe distance.
Explanation
In the photo you are waiting behind a dark car before a junction with traffic lights in a small town; the traffic lights show a red light, and on the right there are signs D-1 and B-21. While waiting for green, you must keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front - answer C. The rules do not set a minimum of 1 m (A) or a range from 1 to 10 m (B) here.
The Road Traffic Act requires the driver to keep the distance needed to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front brakes or stops; a distance given as a number when stopped - at least 5 m - applies only in a tunnel. At an ordinary junction you judge the safe distance yourself: it should let you go around the car in front if it does not move off, and leave a buffer if someone drives into the back of you. A practical tip from driving instructors: you stop so that you can see the whole rear tyres of the car in front and a strip of road under them - depending on the height of your seat and the length of the bonnet, this is about 2-3 m. You move off smoothly when the car in front has driven away, not at the same moment that the light turns green.
Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 2 point 3 and Art. 47a of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)