What is the proper following distance rule recommended for normal driving conditions?

The THREE-SECOND RULE: maintain at least THREE SECONDS of following distance behind the vehicle ahead under normal conditions. DMV/permit rules of the road. HOW: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object (sign, pole), count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three' — if you reach the object before finishing, you're too close. INCREASE the distance (4+ seconds) in poor conditions: rain, snow, fog, heavy traffic, at higher speeds, or when being tailgated. Adequate following distance gives time to react and stop safely, preventing rear-end collisions. Knowing the three-second following rule (and increasing it in bad conditions) is commonly tested.