Parent/Teen
Following Distance

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Following too closely is a common mistake made by new drivers. You may remember the three-second rule for following distance from when you learned to drive. It’s still a good guideline to teach your teen. Here’s a refresher course:

Three-second rule

Watch the vehicle in front of you pass an object and then count the time (one thousand one, one thousand two, etc.) it takes for you to reach that object. If you are closer than three seconds, then back off slightly to reach a three-second following distance. When traveling at speeds over 30 mph, in heavy traffic or bad weather or when following a motorcycle, truck or bus, maintain a following distance of four seconds or more.

It's important that your teen remember that the three-second rule and four-second rule are just guidelines. They may not always provide enough distance from the car ahead. It is up to the driver to use their best judgment to decide when more space is needed.

An inability to maintain proper following distance is the fifth leading cause of teen crashes.