What is the purpose of the two-second rule in driving?

The two-second rule is designed to help drivers maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them. By keeping at least two seconds of space between your vehicle and the one ahead, you ensure that you have enough time to react in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or slows down. This distance allows for adequate reaction time and is crucial in preventing rear-end collisions.

The two-second measurement is simple to implement: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, such as a sign or a tree, you count "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you reach the fixed point before finishing the count, you are too close and should increase the distance. This principle helps improve overall roadway safety, especially in varying weather conditions or heavy traffic situations.