Where should you place the three reflective triangles when parked on a level, straight, four lane, divided highway?

Answer: B — One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear.

Placing reflective triangles appropriately is crucial for safety when a vehicle is stopped on a roadway. The correct placement strategy involves ensuring that drivers approaching from both directions can see the warning signals in time to react safely. The recommended placement is to position one triangle within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, which alerts immediate traffic that there is a hazard nearby. The other two triangles are then set further back at intervals, one at about 100 feet and another at about 200 feet. This gives a clear visual alerting system for drivers coming from a distance, allowing them to have ample time to adjust their speed and direction. The reasoning behind this placement is based on standard guidelines for using warning devices on highways. These guidelines are designed to maximize visibility and ensure effective warning to other road users. By placing the triangles in this manner, it effectively creates a visual warning system that escalates in visibility from close range to further out, enhancing safety for both the stopped vehicle and approaching traffic. In contrast, positions that suggest placing a triangle at the front of the vehicle or on the side do not provide the best visibility for oncoming traffic, and placing all three triangles too close together would limit their effectiveness in warning drivers. Additionally, while placing triangles excessively far behind