When should you follow back more than 3 seconds?

Following back more than 3 seconds is particularly important when visibility is obstructed or conditions are poor. This means you may be driving in situations where your ability to react to sudden changes in traffic or obstacles is compromised, such as during rain, fog, or snow. The increased following distance gives you more time to react, reduces the likelihood of a collision, and enhances overall safety.

In clear conditions and good weather, a shorter following distance can be acceptable since drivers generally have better visibility and can react more quickly to traffic changes. At high speeds, while maintaining a safe distance is critical, the reasoning for extending the following distance relates more to poor conditions than to just speed alone. Driving at night does require caution, but it doesn't inherently necessitate a longer following distance than what is recommended for poor visibility conditions.