What is the recommended safe following distance?

Question

Florida State

Answer 1

I know some sites recommend a 2 second following distance, but, since the average reaction time is 2.5 seconds, that is too close for comfort. In GOOD weather, a minimum of 3 seconds should be minimum, 4 is safer, and winter, fog, any poor visibility or traction conditions should be a signal for greatly increased distances. We used to teach one car length for each 10 mph as minimum distance, but people can use landmarks and count to 4 a lot easier than they can judge car lengths.
If you are asked on the Florida written test, the answer they are looking for is 2 second minimum, in good conditions, in broad daylight, no rain or standing water on the road, by the way.

Answer 2

3 second rule is now the accepted response. Remember that is for ideal driving conditions, which are clear, dry roads with good visibility. if conditions are not ideal (rain, fog, snow, heavy load in car, etc) you need to increase the distance. The 1 car length for every 10 MPH doesn't work. At 70 miles an hour, you would only have 70 feet, and that is not nearly enough. Loco suggestions are dead wrong, and will get someone hurt.

Answer 3

National Safety Council recommends a MINIMUM following distance of three seconds, in GOOD weather and dry roads. Two second USED to be considered a safe distance, but further research indicated that it was not enough.

By the way, the AVERAGE following distance on US highways is less than ONE second. Look around you and look in front of you. Answer, for yourself if you are one of THESE.

Answer 4

In the State of California, you should allow for a minimum of three (3) seconds behind the vehicle at speeds of up to 50 MPH to stop safely on dry pavement, when counting from a stationary object.

Answer 5

The 2 to 3 second following distance works if you have to stop suddenly because the driver ahead brakes to a stop.

However, at highway speeds, a 2 to 3 second following distance will not give you enough time to stop if the road ahead is suddenly blocked by a collision or a vehicle stopped across your lane.

At 55 miles per hour, you would need nearly 4 to 5 seconds to stop. Remember...... As your speed increases, so does the time and distance required to brake to a stop.

Answer 6

3 to 5 seconds for a car from a fixed object on the road side.

Answer 7

When I took driver classes, the rule of thumb was 1 car length for every 10 MPH of speed. This needs to be adjusted for road conditions such as rain or snow.

Answer 8

The 2 rules are the following:

1. the 2-second rule, more if there is bad weather.

2. 10ft for every 10 miles per hour, so in a 50mph zone, 50ft.

Answer 9

if your less than 2 secs behind a silver mustang, the driver will slam on his brakes, hoping to get some money out of you. he will swear there was an animal in the road.

Answer 10

The Texas rule book says 4 sec. but I said 2 sec. and got it wrong.