New South Wales · A Guide to the Driving Test · chapter 5 · 6 min read

Speed Management & Crash Avoidance Space

3 seconds

You must stay at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.

More than 3 seconds

You must increase this distance in poor conditions (such as rain, fog and dust).

If your car passes the object you picked before you finish the 3-second count, you are following too closely. Your crash avoidance space is not large enough. Slow down, and repeat the count again until the 3-second crash avoidance space is achieved.

You should increase your crash avoidance space to 4 or more seconds when driving in poor conditions, such as on unsealed (dirt or gravel), icy or wet roads, or at night.