A safe following distance on dry roads is at least

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The main idea is to use a time-based gap, not a fixed number of car lengths. On dry roads, aim for a three-second following distance by choosing a fixed object on the road and counting seconds from when the lead vehicle passes it to when your vehicle passes it. If you reach that object before you finish the count, you’re too close. This three-second cushion gives you time to react to the leader’s sudden braking and to brake to a stop safely, accounting for your reaction time and braking distance. Car lengths vary with vehicle size, so relying on a fixed distance isn’t reliable across different cars or speeds. A two-second rule is common, but adding a full second provides a safer margin during normal driving. Four car lengths would usually be more than needed on dry pavement and can hinder traffic flow.