Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Passenger Assistance • Route Planning • Bus Stop Procedures

Following Distance

Term from Bus Driving industry explained for recruiters

Following Distance is a safety practice used by professional drivers to maintain a safe space between their vehicle and the one in front of them. It's usually measured in seconds rather than feet, with drivers counting how long it takes to reach a point that the vehicle ahead just passed. This concept is crucial for bus drivers, truck drivers, and other commercial vehicle operators as it helps prevent accidents by giving them enough time to react to sudden stops or emergencies. The term might also appear as "safe following distance" or "safe spacing" in job descriptions.

Examples in Resumes

Maintained perfect safety record by consistently applying proper Following Distance rules

Trained new drivers on Safe Following Distance techniques and best practices

Received recognition for zero accidents through proper Following Distance management

Typical job title: "Bus Drivers"

Also try searching for:

Commercial Driver Bus Operator Transit Operator Coach Driver School Bus Driver Professional Driver CDL Driver

Where to Find Bus Drivers

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Training Resources

Example Interview Questions

Experienced Driver Questions

Q: How do you adjust your following distance in different weather conditions?

Expected Answer: An experienced driver should explain how they increase following distance in rain, snow, or fog, typically doubling or tripling the normal distance based on conditions. They should mention specific examples from their experience.

Q: How would you train a new driver about proper following distance?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate teaching ability by explaining the counting method, visual markers, and different scenarios where following distance needs to be adjusted. Should include real-world examples from their experience.

Mid-Level Driver Questions

Q: What is the proper following distance for a bus, and how do you maintain it in heavy traffic?

Expected Answer: Should explain the standard 4-second rule for buses, and describe techniques for maintaining safe distance even when other vehicles frequently change lanes in front of them.

Q: How do you handle tailgaters while maintaining your own safe following distance?

Expected Answer: Should discuss increasing their own following distance to compensate for tailgaters, and techniques for safely managing both front and rear spacing.

Entry-Level Driver Questions

Q: How do you measure proper following distance?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic counting method: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two' etc., to measure seconds of following distance.

Q: Why is following distance important for bus drivers?

Expected Answer: Should understand that proper following distance gives time to react to emergencies, accounts for longer stopping distance of larger vehicles, and helps protect passenger safety.