What is the recommended following distance when driving?

The recommended following distance when driving is three seconds. This guideline is based on the idea that maintaining a time-based distance allows for better reaction time and decreases the risk of collision. The three-second rule provides a buffer that accounts for various driving conditions, including traffic speed, road conditions, and the performance characteristics of your vehicle.

To apply this rule, you can select a fixed point on the road, like a sign or a tree, and when the vehicle in front of you passes that point, start counting seconds. If you reach the point before you count to three, you're following too closely.

Choosing a time-based measure rather than a distance-based one, such as a specific number of car lengths, is advantageous because it adapts to varying speeds and road conditions. For instance, at higher speeds, the distance will naturally be greater than at lower speeds, allowing you to maintain a safe following distance appropriate for the situation.