What is the recommended following distance behind another vehicle?

The recommended following distance behind another vehicle is at least two seconds. This guideline is designed to provide drivers with sufficient time to react to any unexpected actions by the vehicle in front of them, such as sudden stops or slowdowns. By maintaining a distance that allows for a two-second gap, a driver can better assess the traffic situation and safely respond, thereby reducing the risk of a rear-end collision.

In practice, this means that when the vehicle ahead of you passes a fixed point, such as a sign or a tree, you should be able to count to two seconds before your vehicle reaches that same point. This time-based assessment helps accommodate various factors, including speed and road conditions.

A recommended following distance of less than two seconds may not provide adequate time to stop safely, especially on wet or slippery roads, while suggesting a larger following distance, such as three or four seconds, may be overly cautious for typical driving conditions. Depending on the speed, weather, or road conditions, adjusting your following distance may be necessary, but two seconds serves as a practical baseline in most situations.