In wet conditions, which action best describes the following distance rule?

• A. Increase following distance beyond the dry-weather rule and adjust speed for water spray and tire grip.
• B. Decrease following distance to allow more room for error.
• C. Rely on ABS to stop faster.
• D. Follow the dry-weather rule exactly.

Answer: (B)

In wet conditions, you should increase the following distance beyond what you’d use in dry weather and adjust your speed to match the reduced traction. Water on the road increases stopping distances and lowers tire grip, and spray can obscure your view, so having more space gives you time to react and helps you maintain control if you encounter slick patches or need to brake suddenly. Relying on ABS doesn’t guarantee a shorter stopping distance on wet pavement, and it won’t compensate for the overall reduced traction. Sticking to the dry-weather rule exactly ignores these hazards, so the safer choice is to create a larger gap and slow down as needed.