What is the recommended gap in cross traffic required on the left to pass through an intersection?

A gap of 4 seconds in cross traffic on the left is recommended when passing through an intersection to ensure safety. This time frame allows a driver to assess the speed and distance of approaching vehicles adequately. It provides enough time to react appropriately to any unexpected situations, such as a car approaching faster than anticipated or a sudden change in the traffic scenario.

A shorter gap, such as 2 seconds, might not provide sufficient time for a driver to gauge whether it is safe to proceed, particularly with varying speeds and distances of oncoming vehicles. A gap of 6 seconds or 8 seconds would be overly cautious in many situations, potentially leading to unnecessary delays in traffic flow. Thus, the 4-second recommendation strikes a balance between safety and practicality when navigating intersections with cross traffic.