When following another vehicle, it is recommended to maintain how many seconds of following distance?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

The key idea is giving yourself enough time to react and stop if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly. In normal driving, aim for a three-second gap. You can judge this by picking a fixed point on the road ahead and making sure you pass that same point about three seconds after the vehicle in front does. This time buffer roughly covers your perception and reaction time plus the distance your car needs to brake at typical speeds.

If the road is wet, icy, or visibility is poor, increase this gap to more than three seconds because braking distance grows and reaction times can be longer. Two seconds is not enough at typical speeds, which is why it’s generally considered unsafe. Four or five seconds can be prudent in tricky conditions, but the standard recommendation under normal conditions is three seconds.