Final answer:
To maintain a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead of you, use the 3-second rule. This rule means that you should stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead of you, you should use the 3-second rule. This rule means that you should stay at least three seconds behind the car in front of you. You can calculate this distance by picking a fixed point ahead of you, such as a sign or a tree, and then counting how many seconds it takes for your car to reach that point after the car in front of you passes it.
For example, if the car in front of you passes a sign and it takes 3 seconds for your car to reach the same sign, then you are maintaining a safe following distance. The distance in car lengths will vary depending on your speed, but on average, it is around 3-4 car lengths.
By using the 3-second rule, you can give yourself enough time to react and stop if the car in front of you suddenly brakes or encounters an obstacle.