You are driving on a dry road in good weather. The rear of the car ahead passes a utility pole. You count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three," and then your car reaches the same pole. What should you do?

Correct answer: Drop back to a four-second gap or more, because three seconds is too close.

Why

The four-second method measures your following distance at any speed. Pick a fixed checkpoint such as a sign or a pole, start to count when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes it, and stop when your vehicle reaches it. Four seconds gives you time to see a problem, react and stop without hitting the vehicle ahead. Use more than four seconds when the road is poor, when you cannot see well, or at higher speeds.

Verified against Vermont Driver's Manual · Four Seconds - A Safe Following Distance · p. 28, 29