Near Akersloot you are driving 50 km/h on a road outside the built-up area. How many metres is the minimum 2-second distance per the book's rule of thumb?
Show the answer
Correct answer: 27.5 m
Correct: 27.5 m (±2.5).
The 2-second rule: fixed point, counting, formula
What the exam asks here: Many learners think '2 seconds' is literally written into the law as a fixed number.
The trap
Many learners think: The law literally prescribes '2 seconds' as the minimum following distance.
The rule is: The legal rule is open: 'be able to bring the vehicle to a stop within the distance you can see and that is clear.' No number appears in the law; '2 seconds' is the book's practical rule of thumb
Challenge
Many learners think '2 seconds' is literally written into the law as a fixed number. That is not correct: the law itself only says you must be able to stop within the distance you can see and that is clear. The 2-second rule is the book's practical rule of thumb for putting that open legal norm into practice.
The model
Fixed-point method: as soon as the car ahead passes a fixed point (e.g. a marker post), you start counting; if you reach that point before you count to 2 seconds, you are following too closely (Book p.123). In metres: divide the speed in km/h by 2 and add 10% — at 80 km/h that is 44 m.
Core
You must be able to bring your vehicle to a stop within the distance you can see and that is clear. There is no exact number written in the law. The book translates that open norm into a practical rule of thumb: at least 2 seconds of following distance (Book p.123). You check this using the fixed-point method: as soon as the car ahead passes a clear marker (a post, lamppost, bridge pillar), you count out loud until you reach that same point. If you want this expressed in metres, the book gives a rule of thumb: divide the speed in km/h by 2 and add 10%. At 50 km/h: (50:2)+10% = 27.5 m. At 80 km/h: (80:2)+10% = 44 m. At 100 km/h: (100:2)+10% = 55 m.
Why it matters
On the N242 near Obdam, where traffic during rush hour often brakes abruptly, the fixed-point method is the one check you always have on hand — no radar, no app. And anyone who thinks the law literally requires '2 seconds' can get an exam question about the open norm itself wrong: the 2 seconds are a rule of thumb, not a law article.
Active recall
On the N242 near Opmeer the car ahead passes a noise-barrier post. You count until you reach that same post and get to 1.5 seconds. What does this mean?
Teach back
Explain: what does the law itself say about following distance, what does the 2-second rule add to that, and how do you correctly apply the fixed-point method?
Memory hook
Fixed point, count to 2. Less than 2 sec. = too close. In metres: (speed:2)+10% — 80 km/h = 44 m. Not literal law text, but still the minimum.
The picture
Signs and law
- RVV 1990 art. 19 — A driver must be able to stop within the distance over which they can see the road and over which it is clear.
Test yourself
On the N242 near Obdam you are driving 100 km/h behind a delivery van. How do you check, without any equipment, whether you keep at least 2 seconds of distance?
Show the answer
Fixed-point method: as soon as the car ahead passes a fixed point (e.g. a marker post), you start counting; if you reach that point before you count to 2 seconds, you are following too closely (Book p.123). In metres: divide the speed in km/h by 2 and add 10% — at 80 km/h that is 44 m.
Exam questions on this topic
Near Spanbroek you are driving behind a van. Your passenger asks how much distance the law says you must keep from that van. What do you answer?
- Exactly two seconds; that number is written literally in the law
- No fixed number: I must be able to stop within the clear road I can see ahead
- A fixed distance in metres, the same at every speed
Show the answer
Correct answer: No fixed number: I must be able to stop within the clear road I can see ahead
False — a safe distance grows with your speed. The law names no fixed distance; with the rule of thumb (speed divided by 2, plus 10%) it is 27.5 m at 50 km/h and 55 m at 100 km/h
Why learners get this wrong: The law literally prescribes '2 seconds' as the minimum following distance.
Near Hoogkarspel you apply the fixed-point method. Statement: 'You start counting as soon as you yourself reach a marker post, and stop as soon as the car ahead reaches that post.'
- True
- False
Show the answer
Correct answer: False
Why learners get this wrong: With the fixed-point method, you start counting as soon as you yourself reach the point, not when the car ahead passes it.
Near Heiloo you first drive 50 km/h, then you accelerate to 100 km/h on the same road. You want to stay at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead the whole time. Roughly how many metres is that at both speeds?
- About 27.5 m at 50 km/h and 110 m at 100 km/h
- About 27.5 m at 50 km/h and 55 m at 100 km/h
- About 30 m, at 50 km/h just the same as at 100 km/h
Show the answer
Correct answer: About 27.5 m at 50 km/h and 55 m at 100 km/h
False — you make the distance four times as large. The 2-second distance is time times speed: twice as fast is twice as many metres, so 55 m at 100 km/h, not 110 m.
Why learners get this wrong: If you drive twice as fast, the 2-second distance in metres becomes four times as large.
Near Hoofddorp you are driving 100 km/h on a road with no traffic jam. How many metres is the minimum 2-second distance?
Show the answer
Correct answer: 55 m
Correct: 55.0 m (±4.0).
Near Bakkum you see the car ahead pass a lamppost. What is the correct order for applying the fixed-point method?
- Start counting as soon as the car ahead passes the post; stop as soon as you reach the post
- Start counting as soon as you reach the post; stop when the car ahead is further along
Show the answer
Correct answer: Start counting as soon as the car ahead passes the post; stop as soon as you reach the post
Why learners get this wrong: With the fixed-point method, you start counting as soon as you yourself reach the point, not when the car ahead passes it.
Watch the muted ~5 s clip: you follow a car on a road outside the built-up area. Tap HAZARD! the moment you see the hazard develop, then choose what you do at the frozen frame: brake, release the accelerator or nothing?
- Brake
- Release the accelerator
- Nothing
Show the answer
Correct answer: Brake
Correct choice: brake — the car ahead braking suddenly (1.4 m away, ~0.1 s to contact) is in your path; releasing the accelerator or doing nothing leaves too little room.
Why learners get this wrong: Releasing the accelerator is not enough here: the car ahead braking suddenly — 1.4 m away, ~0.1 s to contact. Only braking keeps you clear of the hazard (stop within the distance you can see to be clear).
On the N242 near Opmeer the car ahead passes a noise-barrier post. You count until you reach that same post and get to 1.5 seconds. What does this mean?
- That is fine, because the law itself names an exact 1.5 to 2 second range
- You are counting wrong: you must start counting from your own car, not from the car ahead
- You are following too closely — less than the minimum 2 seconds
Show the answer
Correct answer: You are following too closely — less than the minimum 2 seconds
The law names no number at all; 2 seconds is the book's rule of thumb, and 1.5 seconds is less than that minimum
Why learners get this wrong: The law literally prescribes '2 seconds' as the minimum following distance.
The legal rule is open: 'be able to bring the vehicle to a stop within the distance you can see and that is clear.'.
- False
- True
Show the answer
Correct answer: True
The legal rule is open: 'be able to bring the vehicle to a stop within the distance you can see and that is clear.' No number appears in the law; '2 seconds' is the book's practical rule of thumb
Why learners get this wrong: The law literally prescribes '2 seconds' as the minimum following distance.
About The 2-second rule: fixed point, counting, formula: which statement is WRONG?
- The rule of thumb is (speed:2)+10%, so it depends on speed: 27.5 m at 50 km/h, 44 m at 80 km/h, 55 m at 100 km/h.
- The legal rule is open: 'be able to bring the vehicle to a stop within the distance you can see and that is clear.'.
- The 2-second distance is time times speed (rule of thumb: speed divided by 2, plus 10%): 27.5 m at 50 km/h, 55 m at 100 km/h — twice as fast is twice as many metres, not four times.
- With the fixed-point method, you start counting as soon as you yourself reach the point, not when the car ahead passes it.
Show the answer
Correct answer: With the fixed-point method, you start counting as soon as you yourself reach the point, not when the car ahead passes it.
'if the car ahead of you passes a marker post, you count how long it takes before you yourself reach that post.' Counting starts with the car ahead, not with yourself
Why learners get this wrong: The safe following distance in metres is a fixed number regardless of your speed — for example always around 30 metres.
Frequently asked questions
‘The law literally prescribes '2 seconds' as the minimum following distance’ – is that true?
No. The legal rule is open: 'be able to bring the vehicle to a stop within the distance you can see and that is clear.' No number appears in the law; '2 seconds' is the book's practical rule of thumb
‘With the fixed-point method, you start counting as soon as you yourself reach the point, not when the car ahead passes it’ – is that true?
No. 'if the car ahead of you passes a marker post, you count how long it takes before you yourself reach that post.' Counting starts with the car ahead, not with yourself
‘The safe following distance in metres is a fixed number regardless of your speed — for example always around 30 metres’ – is that true?
No. The rule of thumb is (speed:2)+10%, so it depends on speed: 27.5 m at 50 km/h, 44 m at 80 km/h, 55 m at 100 km/h. Not a fixed number
‘If you drive twice as fast, the 2-second distance in metres becomes four times as large’ – is that true?
No. The 2-second distance is time times speed (rule of thumb: speed divided by 2, plus 10%): 27.5 m at 50 km/h, 55 m at 100 km/h — twice as fast is twice as many metres, not four times