The Indiana Driver's Manual suggests using the '2-second rule' to ensure a safe following distance while driving. This rule involves ensuring that there is at least a two-second gap between your car and the car in front, and it should be increased in less ideal conditions for safe defensive driving.
The Indiana Driver's Manual does not give a precise following distance measured in car lengths or meters, but it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe following distance. This distance should consider several factors including speed, road conditions, and your vehicle's stopping ability.
Although the manual does not specify an exact distance, a commonly recommended practice is the "2-second rule," which means that when the rear end of the vehicle in front of you passes a stationary object, at least two seconds should elapse before the front of your vehicle passes the same object. At higher speeds, or in less than ideal road conditions, this following distance should be increased.
Understanding and maintaining a safe following distance is crucial for road safety because it ensures you have enough time to react and stop if the car in front of you brakes suddenly. It is an essential component of defensive driving and helps prevent collisions.