Quiz: Keeping your distance

Posted 13 August, 2026 Sasha Oelsner

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder.

It also makes slamming on the brakes less necessary, saves you from receiving some hefty fines and keeps everyone on the road just that little bit safer.

Take our quiz, then press ‘submit’ to find out if you’re playing it safe or playing with fate.

Quiz: Are you keeping your distance?

1. You’re driving at 60km/h when you glance down for two seconds to change the radio station. What distance have you travelled in the time you looked away?

A. Three metres

B. 13 metres

C. 23 metres

D. 33 metres

2. You’re driving along the Northern Connector at 100km/h. The sun has come out, but it’s been raining heavily and the road is wet. When braking suddenly, the stopping distance in the dry is about 90 metres, but what’s your stopping distance in the wet?

A. There’s no difference, so 90 metres

B. 102 metres

C. 127 metres

D. 178 metres

3. What's the 'three-second rule'?

A. When driving, count three seconds between you and the car ahead to maintain a safe distance

B. The length of time dropped food can stay on the floor before being eaten

C. How long you should signal before pulling away from the kerb

4. You’re driving along Marion Road at 60km/h and approach a 40km/h roadworks ahead sign. When does your speed need to be at or below 40km/h?

A. Within 20 metres of passing the sign

B. As soon as you reach the sign

C. It depends on whether there’s a lot of traffic

D. The distance you travel as your car slows naturally without braking

5. You’ve found street parking on a narrow street divided by a solid white centre line and you can’t see any parking signs. How far must the driver’s side of your car be from the centre line to park legally?

A. It doesn’t matter

B. One metre

C. Two metres

D. Three metres

6. You must reduce your speed from 40km/h to 25km/h when driving on a beach when you’re within how many metres of a person?

A. 20 metres

B. 50 metres

C. 100 metres

D. You don’t need to slow down

7. When riding two abreast when there isn’t a designated bike lane, what’s the maximum distance cyclists are permitted to ride apart?

A. 0.5 metres

B. One metre

C. 1.5 metres

D. Cyclists aren’t allowed to ride two abreast

8. When you’re walking and see a junction or intersection with a pedestrian crossing nearby (with or without traffic lights), within what distance are you required to use the crossing rather than crossing somewhere else?

A. 10 metres at all times

B. 20 metres at all times

C. 25 metres but only during peak traffic times

D. 50 metres but only during peak traffic times

9. You’re driving late at night on a rural highway with your headlights on high beam. What’s the minimum distance there needs to be between your car and the vehicle in front?

A. 50 metres

B. 100 metres

C. 150 metres

D. 200 metres

10. You’re heading north-east along North Terrace and want to turn left onto Hackney Road. A dedicated 24/7 bus lane stretches for 250 metres. What’s the maximum distance you can drive in the bus lane before turning?

A. 50 metres

B. 100 metres

C. 200 metres

D. You aren’t allowed to drive in the bus lane at any time

11. How close can you park before – and after – a pedestrian crossing?

A. 10 metres before, 10 metres after

B. 10 metres before, 20 metres after

C. 20 metres before, 10 metres after

D. 20 metres before, 20 metres after

12. When parking behind another car on the side of the road, how much space must you leave between your bumper and the car in front?

A. It doesn’t matter, as long as you aren’t over the yellow street parking lines

B. Enough that the other car can get out

C. 0.5 metres

D. One metre

13. When overtaking a cyclist on a road with a speed limit of 60km/h or less, what’s the minimum legal passing distance?

A. 0.5 metres

B. One metre

C. 1.5 metres

D. No specific distance, as long as you pass them safely