What is the recommended following distance rule for buses, trucks, or truck-tractors?

The recommended following distance rule for buses, trucks, or truck-tractors is the five-second rule because larger vehicles require additional time and distance to come to a stop safely. This extended following distance accounts for their increased mass and slower acceleration, which means they take longer to react compared to smaller vehicles. The five seconds allows drivers of heavy vehicles to maintain a safe buffer, providing sufficient reaction time for unexpected events, such as sudden stops or obstacles in the road.

Furthermore, this rule helps prevent collisions and enhances overall road safety, ensuring that heavier vehicles can stop without risking a crash due to insufficient space. Maintaining this distance also reduces the chance of a driver misjudging the stopping capability of larger vehicles, which is crucial in avoiding rear-end accidents.