<P> The practice has been shown to considerably reduce risk of collision, and also the severity of an accident, if an accident occurs . It also helps to avoid tailgating and road rage for all drivers . </P> <P> The risk of tailgating is largely caused by the accident avoidance time being much less than the driver reaction time . Driving instructors advocate that drivers always use the "two - second rule" regardless of speed or the type of road . During adverse weather, downhill slopes, or hazardous conditions such as black ice, it is important to maintain an even greater distance . </P> <P> The two - second rule tells a defensive driver the minimum distance needed to reduce the risk of collision under ideal driving conditions . The allotted two - seconds is a safety buffer, to allow the following driver time to respond . </P> <P> To estimate the time, a driver can wait until the rear end of the vehicle in front passes any distinct and fixed point on the roadway--e.g. a road sign, mailbox, line / crack / patch in the road . After the car ahead passes a given fixed point, the front of one's car should pass the same point no less than two seconds later . If the elapsed time is less than this, one should increase the distance, then repeat the method again until the time is at least two seconds . </P>

The 3 second rule can be used at any speed to help you