Within how many feet of approaching an intersection should you be prepared to stop if needed?

• A. 50 feet
• B. 100 feet
• C. 150 feet
• D. 200 feet

Answer: (B)

When you’re approaching an intersection, you must be able to stop if something changes suddenly. The distance you aim to be prepared to stop within is about 100 feet. This is a practical rule because it combines your reaction time with the braking distance at typical urban speeds, giving you a safe margin to stop if a car, pedestrian, or other obstacle appears. Too short a distance (like 50 feet) leaves little room to react and brake safely, while much longer distances (150–200 feet) can disrupt traffic flow without adding necessary safety in many city scenarios. So, 100 feet provides a sensible, widely taught balance for approaching intersections.