On a hill or curve on a divided highway, how far back should you place the rear-most triangle?

On a hill or curve on a divided highway, how far back should you place the rear-most triangle?

• A. As far back as necessary to warn others
• B. Exactly 10 feet behind the vehicle
• C. 100 feet behind the vehicle
• D. 50 feet behind the vehicle

Answer: (A)

The triangle is there to warn approaching drivers that you’re stopped, so on a hill or curve where sight distance is limited you must place it far enough back to give others a clear warning in time. There isn’t a single fixed distance for every situation; you adjust so that following traffic can see it early enough to react safely. In these conditions, the priority is adequate warning over a strict measurement, which is why the best choice is to place the rear-most triangle as far back as necessary to alert oncoming motorists.

The triangle is there to warn approaching drivers that you’re stopped, so on a hill or curve where sight distance is limited you must place it far enough back to give others a clear warning in time. There isn’t a single fixed distance for every situation; you adjust so that following traffic can see it early enough to react safely. In these conditions, the priority is adequate warning over a strict measurement, which is why the best choice is to place the rear-most triangle as far back as necessary to alert oncoming motorists.