Under good weather and clear visibility, what minimum following distance should you keep between your car and the car in front of you?

• A. One second
• B. Two seconds
• C. Three seconds
• D. Four seconds

Answer: (B)

Two seconds of following distance is the minimum you should use when the weather is good and visibility is clear. This gap gives you enough time to spot the lead car’s brake lights, react, and brake to a stop without hitting them if they suddenly slow down or stop. The simplest way to apply it is the two-second rule: pick a fixed point on the road ahead, and when the car in front passes that point, start counting seconds. If you reach the point before you reach two seconds, you’re too close and should back off a bit. If conditions change—rain, fog, or snow—increase the gap, since your stopping distance grows in those conditions. The one-second option is too little at typical speeds, while three or four seconds would be a safer but unnecessary cushion under ideal conditions.