Video lessons · Unit 1: Safe following distance

The 3-Second Rule

Do you tailgate? Grandpa explains it in one minute.

What you'll learn

• Kiddo! Know why cars crash into each other from behind?
• Because the guy behind was glued to him! Too close and there's no time to brake.
• Pick a pole. When the car ahead passes it, count: one… two… three.
• Reach the pole before you say «three»? You're too close. Ease off the gas!
• Rain, night, or behind a big truck: count longer. Four, five, six.
• Give more room to the car ahead, or change lanes and let them by. Never brake-check.

Test yourself: 5 exam-style questions

1. 1. In normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance?

   1. Always 30 feet
   2. One car length
   3. 3 seconds
   4. 1 second
   Show answer

   Answer: 3 seconds

   Three seconds: one, two, three. Some handbooks say 2 to 4; three is the most common rule.

2. 2. How do you measure the 3 seconds?

   1. Check the speedometer
   2. Count the cars passing you
   3. Count the lane stripes between your bumper and the bumper of the car ahead
   4. When the car ahead passes a fixed point, count until you reach it
   Show answer

   Answer: When the car ahead passes a fixed point, count until you reach it

   A pole, a shadow, a sign. They pass it, you count.

3. 3. It's raining at night. What do you do with your following distance?

   1. Turn on hazards and keep it
   2. Keep it the same
   3. Increase it: 4 seconds or more
   4. Shorten it to see the taillights better
   Show answer

   Answer: Increase it: 4 seconds or more

   Wet road at night: you need more time to stop and you see less. Give it more seconds, kiddo.

4. 4. Someone is tailgating you. What's the safest move?

   1. Speed up to get away
   2. Ignore it
   3. Add space ahead or let them pass
   4. Brake-check them so they back off
   Show answer

   Answer: Add space ahead or let them pass

   Brake-checking is asking for a crash. Let them go be in a hurry somewhere else.

5. 5. You're behind a big truck. If you can't see the driver's face in its side mirror…

   1. The driver can't see you
   2. You should pass on the right
   3. You should honk
   4. You're at the perfect distance
   Show answer

   Answer: The driver can't see you

   Trucks have huge blind spots. If you can't see the driver in the mirror, the driver can't see you.