[wagonman76]

I used to hear about the 2 second rule, which I always thought was cutting it way too close. Something else I have heard quite a bit in recent years is 1 second for every 10 mph, which I think makes more sense. Sure you can only expect a small fraction of all drivers to actually use a safe distance when following, but at least you can do your part by making sure you can stop if the car in front of you comes to a dead stop (someone cuts them off, deer or bear runs out, etc. I just always think if the person ahead of me were to come to a dead stop right now unexpectedly, would I be REALLY be able to avoid hitting them, including reaction time and while driving on beat up Michigan roads? Go try it sometime on a desolate back road, preferably with a passenger and a stopwatch, and see how long it really takes you to stop when they say to do so.

Now I realize in cities this will probably never work, since someone always cuts into your safe stopping distance. Once reason I really don't like driving in the city and don't live near one.