In heavy traffic, what is the recommended safe following distance between vehicles?

In heavy traffic, maintaining a safe following distance of three seconds between vehicles is recommended to ensure adequate reaction time and to avoid rear-end collisions. This three-second rule allows for the driver to have a buffer that accounts for sudden stops or slowdowns of the vehicle in front. It gives drivers the needed time to assess the situation and respond appropriately, which is particularly vital in congested conditions where vehicles might often need to stop unexpectedly.

This interval is based on the principle that maintaining a distance that corresponds to the time it would take to react and stop can help prevent accidents. When the road conditions are less than ideal or when traffic is particularly heavy, drivers may want to increase that distance, but the three-second guideline provides a practical and effective measure for most circumstances.