What is the 'three-second rule'?

The 'three-second rule' is a guideline for maintaining a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This rule suggests that a driver should stay at least three seconds behind the car ahead to ensure enough time to react in case of sudden stops or emergencies.

This is assessed by picking a fixed point on the road, such as a sign or a tree. When the vehicle in front of you passes that point, you should count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three" before your vehicle reaches that same point. If you reach the point before you finish counting, you are too close and should increase that distance to allow for safe stopping time.

Maintaining this distance is crucial for reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions and ensuring safe driving conditions, particularly in varying weather conditions or when driving at higher speeds. This principle emphasizes the importance of space management on the road for safe driving practices. The other options do not pertain directly to the concept of maintaining safe distances between vehicles while driving.