What to Do When There's a Vehicle Ahead During Straight-Line Driving?
3 Answers
When a trainee notices a vehicle ahead still performing the straight-line driving exercise and has not yet exited the straight-line section, to ensure their own test can be passed smoothly, they can downshift and reduce speed in advance. If the voice command has not been issued yet, stopping correctly will not result in point deductions. After stopping, it's essential to return to neutral gear and engage the handbrake—these are basic operations. Wait until the vehicle ahead has moved a certain distance away, then start in first gear, following the same procedure as at the beginning of the test. It's best to reach the required gear before entering the test area. If the voice command has already been announced, reduce speed and downshift: After the voice command is announced, if the trainee is currently performing the straight-line driving exercise and stopping during the test is not allowed, but there's still some distance to the vehicle ahead, the trainee can resolve the situation by reducing speed and downshifting. As long as they remain calm and operate correctly, there should be no major issues. For unexpected situations, adapt flexibly: There's also a less common scenario where, while the trainee is performing the exercise, a vehicle suddenly cuts in or is extremely close ahead. In such cases, it's crucial to follow safe driving principles, brake promptly to avoid a collision, and prioritize safety above all else.
When driving on the road, the worst fear is having the car in front blocking the way. That’s exactly what I thought when I first got my license. My palms were sweating from nervousness, but my instructor said, 'Don’t panic—easing off the accelerator to slow down is the simplest solution, maintaining a two-second safe distance.' Glance at the rearview mirror to check if any car is tailgating. If the road is clear and there’s space, signal carefully and change lanes, but don’t force your way in to avoid scratches. In congested city traffic, I often encounter sudden braking from the car ahead. After nearly rear-ending someone once, I learned to anticipate: Is the car ahead slowing down? Hesitating to turn? Brake gently—don’t slam on the brakes abruptly to avoid being rear-ended. With more driving experience, I’ve realized keeping distance and staying observant are key. Safety first—handle various road conditions patiently, and skills will improve gradually.
During long-distance highway driving, it's common to encounter slow-moving traffic ahead. My experience tells me to handle it calmly. Maintain at least a three-second following distance and avoid tailgating, especially at high speeds where risks increase. If the vehicle in front is moving slowly, disengage cruise control or reduce the set speed, gently coasting to decelerate without abrupt braking that could heighten danger. Monitor adjacent lanes for opportunities to signal and change lanes for overtaking, but always check mirrors and blind spots first to ensure the path is clear. In poor weather, increase the following distance as rain and wet roads at night pose greater hazards. I've also developed the habit of checking navigation for upcoming congestion points, mentally preparing to adjust my pace. Driving safely and smoothly makes the journey much more pleasant.
