Texas Car / Permit practice question · Speed & Space Management
What happens to the width of what a driver takes in as speed climbs from a standstill to 60 mph?
Answer choices
- It narrows to roughly a fifth of what you take in standing still— Correct answer
- It stays the same, though detail is lost
- It narrows only after dark
- It widens, because the eyes scan faster
Why this is the answer
Speed reduces your field of vision. When you are stationary, your field is 180 degrees or more. It shrinks to about two-thirds at 20 mph, about two-fifths at 40 mph, and about one-fifth at 60 mph. So at highway speed you take in a much narrower view, and hazards off to the side are easier to miss.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook — Speed and Speed Limits
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
More Speed & Space Management questions
- In good conditions at speeds above 30 mph, what is the smallest gap you should keep behind the vehicle in front?
- How does driving at a higher speed affect the distance needed to stop your vehicle?
- A minimum speed limit is posted on the highway you are using. This means that:
- The total distance your vehicle needs to stop is made up of:
- Unless a different limit is posted, how fast may you drive in an alley in Texas?