In ideal circumstances, the appropriate minimum interval between your vehicle and the one you are following is

Question

5 seconds

15 seconds

8 seconds

10 seconds

3 seconds

Answer 1

I was taught to count 2 mississipis... So what's that work out to be? 3 seconds?

Answer 2

You should stay no less than 2 seconds behind the car ahead. At 60 MPH you are going 88 feet per second and the average response time for an unexpected event is about 1.5 seconds so that gives you very little time to avoid the car ahead.

10 feet for every 10 MPH ain't going to work. At 60 MPH and 60 feet behind you would hit the car before you could get you foot on the brake. More than 2 seconds would be even better. It's easy to figure how many seconds you are behind a car. When it passes a spot on the road count the seconds till you pass it.

Answer 3

5 seconds would be right

Answer 4

The Smith System,  a teacher of safe driving techniques,  recommends a  4   second interval between you and the vehicle in front.  

This is more effective than the car-length method,  as it requires less thought for most drivers.   Simply,  as the vehicle in front of you passes an object,  a sign, shadow,  pavement change,  etc.,  count the seconds and adjust your speed to maintain the four second spacing.

Answer 5

That would be 10ft. for every 10mi. per hr. of speed

Answer 6

If you can see where the rear tires touch the road on the car that is in front of you, you are at a proper distance. School bus drivers are taught this when in training. Good rule, always works for me.

Answer 7

Do not use time.  Use distance instead. The proper distance is eight car lengths behind.  But of course the dodgems plough in your space and you are left too close. A car traveling 60 mph travels 88 fps.  At  75 mph it travels 110fps  Based upon the seconds one should not use but distance is also determined by your instinct to hitting the brake.  Just keep your car under control, please..

Answer 8

I would say 3-5 s.