What is the recommended distance to maintain when following another vehicle?

Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial for ensuring road safety and reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions. The three-second rule is widely recommended because it allows sufficient time for a driver to react to sudden stops or emergencies that may occur in front of them. This rule suggests that as you follow another vehicle, you should choose a fixed point on the road, and when the vehicle in front of you passes that point, it should take a minimum of three seconds for you to reach the same point.

This time interval provides a buffer that accounts for weather conditions, vehicle speed, and the driver's reaction time, which can significantly vary. In adverse conditions, such as rain or snow, increasing that distance even further is advisable to allow more time to stop safely.

In contrast, the other options reflect either incorrect time intervals or unsafe practices. The two-second rule may be too short for many driving conditions, while the four-second rule, although safer, is generally considered more than necessary for most situations where three seconds is sufficient. Staying as close as possible to another vehicle is unsafe and can lead to accidents, especially if sudden stops occur. Hence, the three-second rule balances safety with practical driving conditions.