What is the minimum following distance you should maintain behind another vehicle?

Maintaining a minimum following distance of two seconds behind another vehicle is crucial for safe driving. This two-second rule provides drivers with enough time to react to sudden stops or emergencies that the vehicle ahead may encounter. By watching the vehicle in front pass a specific point, like a sign or a tree, and counting to two, you can better gauge whether you are maintaining a safe distance.

This distance allows for enough time to brake and prevent a rear-end collision in most circumstances. Factors such as weather, road conditions, and the speed of traffic might require you to increase this distance for additional safety, but two seconds is the baseline standard recommended for maintaining a safe following distance in ideal conditions.