If visibility is obscured, by how much should you increase your following distances?

Increasing your following distance when visibility is obscured is crucial for maintaining safety on the road. The correct answer indicates that you should increase your following distance by three times in conditions where visibility is compromised, such as during heavy rain, fog, or snow.

This increase allows for additional reaction time in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or slows down. When visibility is poor, your ability to assess the situation ahead diminishes significantly, so having a greater distance helps ensure you have enough space to respond to unforeseen events.

A standard following distance under normal conditions is typically measured at about one car length for every 10 mph of your speed. However, when the visibility is limited, this distance needs to be drastically increased to account for reduced visibility and reaction time necessary to avoid potential collisions or accidents.