You are driving the blue car in the picture, behind the red car. What is the smallest following distance you should keep?
Correct answer: A cushion of at least 3 seconds.
Answer options
AA 1-second cushion
BA 1.5-second cushion
CA cushion of at least 3 seconds Correct
Why
Keep at least a 3-second gap: when the red car passes a fixed object such as a sign or pole, count the seconds until you reach it, and if you get there before three, drop back. Gaps of one or one and a half seconds leave too little time to stop, and bad weather calls for even more space.