When turning at an intersection from a stop, what determines the size of the gap?

• A. the width of the intersection
• B. the speed of the cross traffic
• C. the weather
• D. the color of cross traffic signal

Answer: (B)

The size of the gap you need when turning from a stop is determined by how fast the cross traffic is moving. Faster cross traffic means you have less time to complete your turn, so you must wait for a larger gap to safely cross or turn. If cross traffic is slower, a smaller gap may be enough because you'll have more time to finish crossing.

Other factors like the width of the intersection can affect how long it takes you to clear it, but they don’t set how large the gap must be. Weather can influence how quickly you can stop or start, but the gap itself is about the relative speed of the oncoming vehicles. The color of the cross traffic signal is a cue for when you may proceed, not the actual size of the gap.