What is the recommended safe following distance behind another vehicle?

A safe following distance is critical for avoiding rear-end collisions and ensuring you have adequate time to react to sudden changes in traffic. The recommended following distance is at least three seconds when driving under normal conditions.

This guideline allows for a buffer zone that can accommodate the driver's reaction time in case the vehicle in front suddenly brakes or slows down. To assess this distance, drivers can choose a fixed point on the road, such as a sign or a tree. When the vehicle ahead passes that point, the driver should be able to count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three" before their own vehicle reaches the same point. If conditions are less than ideal, such as during rain or when driving a larger vehicle, it may be prudent to increase this distance even further to maintain safety.

In contrast, less than three seconds can leave insufficient room to react to changes in traffic flow, increasing the risk of an accident.