How long should your following distance be when driving behind a moving van?

When driving behind a moving van, a following distance of 4 seconds is recommended to ensure safe braking and reaction time. This distance is particularly important because larger vehicles, such as moving vans, have longer stopping distances and can block your view of the road. The 4-second rule allows you to maintain a safe distance, giving you adequate time to react to any sudden stops or changes in the vehicle's movement.

In simpler terms, ensuring a following distance of 4 seconds relatively enables you to have a better perspective of the road, while also accounting for any obstacles or unforeseen circumstances that may arise. A shorter distance might not be sufficient in allowing for proper reaction time, especially when dealing with larger vehicles that might obscure visibility.