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27. SAFE
FOLLOWING DISTANCE |
Rear-end
collisions account for nearly a third of all crashes. The main cause
is travelling too closely behind another vehicle and/or looking away
for just a second at the wrong moment.
This dangerous
practice, commonly called tailgating, is widespread. Some
drivers in a hurry may not even realize that they are following too closely,
never having learned the two-second rule:
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This method of
measuring a safe minimum* following distance works at any speed:
As the vehicle
ahead of you passes a certain fixed object (tree, road-sign etc.)
start counting slowly: ‘One thousand and one, one thousand
and two’. You must be able to finish this (two seconds)
count comfortably before passing the object, otherwise you
are not driving at a safe distance.
| *In
recent times authorities have recommended three seconds
as a safe minimum following distance. No doubt, with
more and more gadgets in modern vehicles, all which take
our attention off the road for a few moments, three
seconds is a logical measure to have been introduced. |
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The
three-second distance count:
The
driver in the white car starts counting, as the van passes a
tree, a road sign or any other fixed object.
If
the driver can comfortably count-out three seconds, before passing
the object, the distance to the preceding vehicle is safe.
At
80 km/h or 100 km/h the distance is logically far greater
than at speed 20km/h. However, the principle remains the
same!
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View
animation of safe following distance HERE (Includes
overtaking).
Some
drivers refuse to leave a substantial safety gap on purpose. They argue
that other motorists will use a large gap to constantly weave in and out of
lanes. Let
them! A safe driver just drops back and establishes a safe distance
again.
Think!
If you were to lose 3 seconds ten times on a trip, ten
times someone takes up your safety gap, you will arrive only 30
seconds later! Certainly not worth risking a crash for!
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Allow
a greater distance than 3 seconds here:
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Driving
on a slippery surface, i.e. gravel or wet road.
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Increase
in stopping distance! |
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When
visibility is reduced under adverse conditions.
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In
heavy rain, fog or driving at night. |
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When
being followed too closely.
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Allow
extra space for the menace behind! |
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Travelling at
higher speeds over a long period. |
Allows
for slower reaction time, the result of long hours on freeways,
country roads. |
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Following
a learner driver (or a vehicle with interstate registration
plates).
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That’s
what the L- plates are for. |
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Driving
too closely behind a truck, bus or van, reduces your forward
visibility.
At
high speed this dangerous practice make your passengers and the
truck driver feel uneasy.
Motorists
who tailgate are less prepared for an emergency further down the
road. They are forced to constantly watch the brake lights of the
vehicle ahead; not a
relaxed way of driving!
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Motoring is both,
more enjoyable and safer, when staying well back and
scanning traffic for hazards ahead! Driving in that manner avoids
heavy braking. It reduces the chance of a rear-end crash.
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Our
information could vary in your part of the world. We recommend
you use above information in conjunction with a professional
driving instructor.
Road
Safety by Dieter Fischer - Learner Driver Hub 2020.
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