New South Wales · Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) · Road safety

About how long does a fit, alert driver need just to react to a hazard — before they begin to act on it?

The answer

  • About 0.2 seconds
  • About 1.5 seconds Correct
  • About 4 seconds
  • Reaction is instant

Why that's the answer

Reaction time is the time to see and understand a situation, decide on a response and start to act. A fit, alert driver unaffected by alcohol, drugs or fatigue needs about 1.5 seconds, rising to about 2.5 seconds at higher speeds — and response time then adds at least another 1.5 seconds.

Where this rule comes from

Take the full New South Wales practice test (153 questions)

More NSW DKT questions

Same topic first — road safety trips up more learners than any single rule.

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