What term describes the minimum distance required between approaching vehicles on a curve?

The term that describes the minimum distance required between approaching vehicles on a curve is referred to as sight distance. Sight distance is crucial in roadway design as it determines how far ahead drivers can see along a road, especially on curves where visibility may be limited. This distance is essential for safe driving as it allows drivers to anticipate and respond to obstacles, other vehicles, or changes in the road alignment more effectively.

In scenarios where there is a curve, ensuring adequate sight distance helps maintain traffic flow and reduces the chances of collisions, as vehicles need to see and judge the distance to oncoming traffic accurately. When sight distance is sufficient, it provides drivers with the necessary time to react to conditions, further promoting safety on the road.

Other terms listed might relate to vehicle behavior but do not directly define the minimum spacing required for vehicles on curves. Reaction distance pertains to the time and space a driver needs to react after identifying a hazard. Stopping distance considers the overall distance a vehicle travels before coming to a complete stop, which includes both reaction and braking distance. Visibility distance is less commonly used in traffic engineering, making sight distance the most appropriate term in the context of approaching vehicles on a curve.