Final answer:
Maintain at least a three-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on an expressway, which can be adjusted based on road conditions. Consider the width of a vehicle and the distance required to cross the road safely in towns, and adhere to speed limits to avoid traffic penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rule of thumb on how much distance you should maintain from the vehicle in front of you on an expressway varies depending on the situation and the speed limit. A commonly advised practice is the three-second rule, which means you should stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you to allow for sufficient reaction time. You can measure this by picking a fixed point that the car in front of you passes, such as a sign or a tree, and ensuring it takes you at least three seconds to reach the same point. However, in adverse weather conditions or if you are driving a larger vehicle like a truck, you should increase this distance to ensure safety.
In a town or city with a speed limit of 60 km/h, crossing the road requires you to be able to walk 4 meters before the car reaches you, which translatesa to more than the width of a car, for safe crossing. Similarly, when driving, it's crucial to adjust your speed according to the road conditions and posted speed limits to avoid tickets or accidents. Driving at or just above the speed limit in Jacinto City, Texas might not draw a penalty due to speedometer inaccuracies, but going significantly over might lead to consequences.