The drive control device has a braking system (24) which exerts a braking force on the motor vehicle (1), and which can be operated by the driver. An operating device (30) controls the braking system independently of operation by the driver. A detector senses the delay of the vehicle in front, and a device determines the set value of the delay in accordance with the detected delay value. A braking controller actuates the operating device to control the braking system to produce the braking force required to achieve the set value of delay, if the set value is smaller or larger than a predetermined value.
