What is the appropriate follow time for city driving?

The appropriate following time for city driving is 4 seconds. This guideline is designed for urban environments where traffic conditions can change rapidly due to the presence of pedestrians, cyclists, and frequent stops. A following distance of 4 seconds allows a driver enough time to react to sudden changes, such as a vehicle stopping or pedestrians unexpectedly entering the roadway.

In city driving, where vehicles can frequently brake or change speed, maintaining this distance helps ensure safety by providing adequate space to stop or maneuver if necessary. It also accounts for various factors that can influence a vehicle's stopping distance, such as road conditions and the braking capabilities of different vehicles.

While shorter following distances like 2 seconds may seem sufficient in low-traffic situations, they do not provide enough margin for error in the more complex and dynamic environment of city driving, where unexpected hazards are more prevalent.