Final answer:
Under ideal conditions, the minimum following distance should be a three-second gap between vehicles to ensure a safe stopping distance and reaction time. Additionally, when crossing a road, the necessary distance to stop a car depends on many factors. Adjust your following distance based on road and traffic conditions for safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
When following another vehicle on the road under ideal conditions, the minimum following distance is often recommended to be at least a three-second gap between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. This rule allows for a safe stopping distance and reaction time. Although the rule of thumb is a three-second gap, this can vary depending on factors like road conditions, weather, and visibility. It's important to adjust your following distance accordingly to maintain safety.
In the context of safety and crossing roads, the distance necessary to stop a car depends highly on road conditions, driver reaction time, and vehicle speed. If a car is traveling at 60 km/h, it takes a certain distance for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. For example, if it takes a car 4 seconds to travel 60 km/h, that will be approximately 66.7 meters which is about 19 car-lengths. When calculating the crossing distance, keep in mind that the length of the average car is 3.5 meters, and while crossing, you need to walk at least 4 meters before the car reaches you for a safe crossing.