What should the following distance be between your bus and the vehicle ahead in hazardous weather conditions?

In hazardous weather conditions, increasing the following distance to 10 seconds provides a crucial buffer that allows for safer stopping distances and reaction times. During inclement weather like rain, snow, or fog, road traction is compromised, and vehicles may take significantly longer to stop.

By maintaining a 10-second gap, school bus drivers can better accommodate the unpredictable nature of slippery roads and reduced visibility, giving them ample time to react to sudden stops or emergencies from the vehicle ahead. This long following distance is an essential practice to ensure the safety of the students on board as well as other road users, especially in challenging driving situations.

In contrast, shorter following distances, such as 5, 7, or even 15 seconds, may not provide the same level of safety in these weather conditions. While 15 seconds might sound safe, it could be excessive in terms of how tthat distance might affect traffic flow and could be impractical depending on the speed of travel. Thus, 10 seconds strikes a balance between safety and practical driving conditions.