What is the recommended following distance when driving behind another vehicle?

The recommended following distance of 3 seconds under normal conditions is a guideline designed to ensure a safe space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This distance allows for adequate reaction time in case the vehicle ahead suddenly stops or slows down.

By maintaining this 3-second interval, drivers can better assess road conditions, traffic behavior, and obstacles that may arise. To measure this distance, you can use a stationary object on the side of the road; when the vehicle in front of you passes it, you should take note of the time it takes for you to reach that same object. If it takes around 3 seconds or more, you’re maintaining a safe following distance.

In varying conditions such as inclement weather or heavy traffic, adjusting your following distance to be longer is advisable. The other options suggest distances that may not provide sufficient reaction time or safety margin.