What does the “three-second rule” refer to in safe driving?

The "three-second rule" is a technique for maintaining a safe following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This rule helps ensure that you have enough time to react in case the vehicle ahead suddenly stops or slows down. By allowing at least three seconds of space, you can better gauge your stopping distance and avoid potential rear-end collisions.

To apply the three-second rule, you choose a marker along the road, such as a sign or a tree. When the vehicle in front of you passes that marker, you start counting seconds until your vehicle reaches the same marker. If you reach the marker before counting to three, you are too close and need to increase your following distance. This practice promotes safer driving by giving you ample time to respond to unexpected changes in traffic conditions.

Other choices revolve around different aspects of driving safety. Keeping track of your speed, turning on headlights, and lane changes are all important skills, but they do not specifically pertain to the three-second rule, which is exclusively about maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.