What is the proper following distance behind another vehicle?

The correct following distance behind another vehicle is at least 4 seconds under normal conditions. This guideline is designed to give you a safe buffer of time to react to any sudden changes in traffic. When you maintain a 4-second gap, it allows for adequate time to assess the road and traffic conditions ahead, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly.

This 4-second rule is particularly important in larger vehicles such as trucks, where stopping distances are longer due to size and weight. In adverse weather conditions, such as rain or snow, extending this following distance is advisable to account for reduced traction.

While shorter following distances like 2 or 3 seconds might seem sufficient in optimal conditions, they do not provide enough time to react safely in various driving scenarios, especially when driving a larger vehicle.