How many seconds should you allow for every 10 feet of vehicle length?

When determining safe following distances, a standard practice is to allow one second for every ten feet of vehicle length. This guideline helps to ensure that drivers have enough time to react to sudden changes or emergencies while maintaining a safe space between their vehicle and those in front of them. For example, if you're driving a standard passenger vehicle that is about 15 feet long, you would ideally maintain a following distance of at least 1.5 seconds under normal driving conditions.

This approach helps account for the time it takes to perceive a hazard and act accordingly. Adjusting the following distance can be important depending on variables like road conditions, weather, and visibility. Therefore, establishing a standard of one second per ten feet serves as a foundational rule for driving safely, promoting better response times and a more cautious driving attitude.