Mississippi CDL General Knowledge Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive Guide to Success!

To determine the number of seconds of following distance, the method involves assessing your speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. The rule of thumb is to use a simple calculation based on your speed: for every 10 mph, you should have at least one second of following distance. For example, if you are traveling at 60 mph, you should ideally maintain a following distance of at least six seconds. This approach takes into account the time it may take to react and brake if the vehicle ahead of you suddenly stops or slows down.

Using speed along with an understanding of vehicle lengths is important because different conditions, such as vehicle type and road environment, can affect stopping distance. Keeping an adequate following distance is crucial for maintaining safety on the road, allowing for sufficient reaction time while being aware of the speed at which you are traveling.

Other methods, such as increasing speed to assess stopping capability, may lead to unsafe driving situations. Likewise, closely following the vehicle in front can lead to tailgating, which increases the risk of collision and does not provide an accurate measure of necessary stopping distance. Therefore, the correct approach focuses on utilizing speed for a calculated following distance to ensure safety while driving.