Final answer:
The three second rule should in fact be extended in bad weather, making the statement false. Logical fallacies, such as mistaking necessary and sufficient conditions, can lead to incorrect conclusions similar to the misconception about the three second rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the three second rule is applied in inclement weather conditions such as rain and snow is false. In fact, during such conditions, the following distance should be increased to provide a larger buffer for safety. It's recommended to apply the six second rule or more when driving on slippery roads due to rain, snow, or ice. This increased time allows for the potentially longer distance it takes to stop due to the reduced traction.
The reasoning process here can be analogized with logical statements, like the one provided in the question: 'If schools close, then it snowed more than three inches.' This example confuses necessary and sufficient conditions. The school closing is a necessary condition that might occur due to snow, but not a sufficient condition to claim that such snowfall definitively occurred. We must evaluate all possible reasons for a school closure.