Final answer:
The recommended following distance when driving at medium speed is at least 3 seconds, known as the 3-second rule, which allows enough time to react and prevent accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of how many seconds you should put between yourself and a driver when going at a medium speed relates to the safe following distance while driving. For safety reasons, it is commonly recommended to use the 3-second rule, which means you should have a 3-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. This time increases to 4 or more seconds in adverse weather conditions or when driving at higher speeds. The 3-second gap gives you enough time to react and brake to avoid potential collisions.
When you're driving at a medium speed, such as 30 miles per hour, and if conditions are ideal, you should maintain at least 3 seconds of following distance from the car in front of you. To gauge this, pick a stationary object on the side of the road. As the rear of the car ahead of you passes it, begin counting seconds. If the front of your car reaches the object before you count to three, you are too close and should increase your distance.