Maintaining a following distance of two seconds is recommended because it provides a safe buffer between your vehicle and the one in front of you, allowing for adequate reaction time. This two-second rule helps ensure that you have enough time to respond to sudden stops or emergencies, reducing the risk of collisions. To gauge this distance, you can choose a fixed point on the road, such as a sign or a tree, and begin counting when the vehicle ahead of you passes that point. If you reach the same point before you finish counting to two, you are following too closely.
Other choices, such as following one car length or maintaining a specific distance of three feet, do not account for varying speeds or conditions where longer distances may be necessary. A constant speed does not reflect safe driving behavior, as it might not allow for necessary adjustments based on traffic flow or obstacles. Thus, following the two-second rule is a practical guideline for maintaining a safe distance while driving.