College

How much space do you need for merging, crossing, entering, and exiting out of traffic?

1) 5 feet
2) 10 feet
3) 15 feet
4) 20 feet

Answer :

Final answer:

Safe distances for merging, crossing, entering, and exiting traffic depend on road conditions and vehicle speeds; none of the provided numerical options precisely define these distances. Safety requires maintaining a proportionate distance for the speed and conditions involved.

Explanation:

The amount of space needed for merging, crossing, entering, and exiting out of traffic can vary based on numerous conditions such as speed limits, traffic flow, and vehicle size. None of the numerical options provided precisely answer this question, given that safe distance for these maneuvers typically exceeds the listed choices. However, it is essential to maintain a safe distance proportionate to your speed and the road conditions.

When crossing a road, make sure you can walk at least 2 meters further than the width of an average car before the car reaches you. In a scenario where the speed limit is 60 km/hr, and a car is 28 meters away (equivalent to the length of 8 average cars), one needs to assess if they have enough time to cross safely based on their walking speed and the car's speed.

As for merging into traffic on a highway, more than just distance needs to be considered; timing and acceleration are significant factors. For example, a car merging onto a highway has an entire ramp to use to match the speed of traffic safely.