In hazardous conditions, how much distance should you allow between each rider?

• A. One second.
• B. Four seconds.
• C. Ten seconds.
• D. No fixed distance.

Answer: (B)

In hazardous conditions you need more space between riders to allow time to react and stop. A four-second margin gives a safe buffer for slower reaction times and longer stopping distances on wet, icy, gravelly, or low-visibility roads, and when riding with a group. To judge it, pick a fixed object ahead and start counting seconds as the front rider passes it; you should reach four seconds before you reach that object. If conditions are especially poor, increase the gap even more.