What does following distance refer to?

Following distance refers to the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This distance is crucial for maintaining safety on the road, as it allows for adequate reaction time in the event that the vehicle ahead suddenly stops or slows down. A proper following distance ensures that you have enough space to respond to unexpected events, which can help prevent rear-end collisions.

In different driving conditions, such as wet or icy roads, the recommended following distance may need to be increased to account for longer stopping distances. Maintaining a safe following distance also contributes to a smoother flow of traffic, reducing the tendency to tailgate, which can create hazardous situations.