What is the recommended following distance under normal driving conditions?

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Maintaining a safe following distance gives you time to react and stop if the vehicle ahead slows or stops suddenly. For normal driving, the three-second rule provides an appropriate buffer. To use it, pick a fixed object ahead (a sign, a tree, etc.) and count seconds as your car passes that object. If you reach the object before finishing the three-second count, you’re too close and should increase your distance. In worse conditions—rain, snow, ice, poor visibility, or if you’re tired or distracted—extend that gap to four seconds or more.

Two seconds can be too little for a safe stop at typical speeds, five seconds is more cautious than necessary for normal conditions, and saying there’s no set time ignores the standard guideline used to keep traffic safely spaced. So, aim for at least three seconds under normal conditions.