How many seconds should be added per each 10 feet of bus length when following at speeds of 40 mph or more?

When operating a school bus, it's essential to maintain a safe following distance to account for the bus's length and the speed at which you are traveling. For every 10 feet of bus length, adding 1 second of following distance at speeds of 40 mph or more is a guideline that helps ensure adequate space to react and stop safely if the vehicle in front of you comes to a sudden halt.

This adjustment is crucial because a longer vehicle, such as a school bus, requires more time and distance to stop compared to smaller vehicles. By adhering to this rule, drivers can enhance safety for the students being transported and other road users, minimizing the risk of collisions. This practice emphasizes the importance of evaluating both speed and vehicle size to maintain appropriate distance and ensure proper reaction time under varying traffic conditions.