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What is a 3-second rule in driving?
I’m learning to drive on the highway and I’m trying to keep everything straight but my instructor keeps telling me something about a 3-second rule. What is the 3-second rule, and how do I follow it?
Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
There’s a lot to learn when we first start driving and one of those is the 3-second rule. The 3-second rule in driving is when you make sure to allow yourself at least 3-seconds worth of stopping distance between you and the car in front of you.
To make sure you’re following the 3-second rule in driving, follow these steps:
- Locate an object ahead of the vehicle in front of you, like a traffic sign
- As the car ahead of you passes that object, begin counting seconds until you pass that object in your car.
- If you can count to at least 3 seconds before passing the object, you’re following the 3-second rule. If you can’t, you need to slow down and back off.
Following the 3-second rule in driving is a great way to ensure you allow yourself enough time to react in case the car in front of you encounters a hazard. But even this rule isn’t always foolproof, and that’s why it’s important to carry solid
car insurance
in case of an accident. You’ve got enough on your plate studying for your driving tests, so let car insurance genius and broker app Jerry
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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