To avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn suddenly, you should look at least ________ ahead while driving in the city?

To avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn suddenly, you should look at least ________ ahead while driving in the city?

• A. 20 seconds
• B. 15 seconds
• C. 10 seconds
• D. 5 seconds

Answer: (B)

Looking ahead far enough gives you time to spot hazards and adjust smoothly before you reach them. In city driving, speeds are slower but conditions change quickly—pedestrians, signals, other vehicles stopping or turning can appear suddenly. A horizon of about 15 seconds lets you anticipate these changes and slow gradually rather than slam on the brakes or jerk the wheel. At typical urban speeds, 15 seconds covers a good distance (roughly a few blocks or about a quarter mile), giving you a comfortable buffer to react. Five seconds is usually too short to react safely in busy streets, ten seconds is workable but tight, and twenty seconds is more than necessary for most city situations. So 15 seconds is the best balance for city driving.

Looking ahead far enough gives you time to spot hazards and adjust smoothly before you reach them. In city driving, speeds are slower but conditions change quickly—pedestrians, signals, other vehicles stopping or turning can appear suddenly. A horizon of about 15 seconds lets you anticipate these changes and slow gradually rather than slam on the brakes or jerk the wheel. At typical urban speeds, 15 seconds covers a good distance (roughly a few blocks or about a quarter mile), giving you a comfortable buffer to react. Five seconds is usually too short to react safely in busy streets, ten seconds is workable but tight, and twenty seconds is more than necessary for most city situations. So 15 seconds is the best balance for city driving.