What is the recommended minimum following distance during poor weather conditions?

During poor weather conditions, it is crucial to increase your following distance to ensure adequate reaction time and stopping distance. The recommendation of maintaining a three-second following distance serves as a guideline that allows for safe braking and maneuvering in adverse conditions such as rain, snow, or fog.

In normal driving conditions, a two-second rule is typically sufficient, but in poor weather, the reduced visibility and potential for slippery road surfaces necessitate more space between vehicles. A three-second gap provides a buffer that can be critical for avoiding collisions, as it gives drivers more time to react to sudden stops or other unexpected scenarios that are more likely to occur under challenging weather conditions.

Increasing your following distance to three seconds helps ensure that drivers can maintain control of their vehicles and respond appropriately, contributing to overall safety on the road.