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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 3. Crash Avoidance Factors |
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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 3. Crash Avoidance Factors |
27. Minimum following distance
Rear-end collisions account for nearly a third of all crashes. Looking away for just a second at the wrong moment and/or travelling too closely behind another vehicle, are the main causes. Unfortunately, this dangerous practice, commonly called tailgating, is widespread. Some drivers may not even realize that they are following too closely, never having learned the two-second rule:
When 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’. If you can finish this (two seconds) count comfortably before passing the object, you are at a safe distance.
The two-second distance count: The driver in the white car starts counting, as the van passes the speed sign.
If able to count out two - seconds comfortably, before passing the sign, it is a safe following distance.
The magic of this formula is that it works at any speed (and not only on a freeway). At 80 km/h or 100 km/h two seconds are obviously a far greater distance than at 20km/h. Allow a further second or two under the following circumstances:
ning traffic for hazards ahead
- Travelling on a gravel road or wet road surface (increased braking distance).
- When visibility is limited (heavy rain, fog, at night).
- When being followed too closely (allow for the tailgater).
- Following a learner driver (that’s what the L’plates are for).
- Travelling at higher speeds for a long period (allows for extra reaction time)
A standard excuse for following too closely, is the concern, that other drivers take advantage of you and fill up your two second safety gap. Let them! Simply, drop back and establish the two seconds distance again.
Tailgating drivers must focus constantly on the vehicle ahead. How do they read the road ahead for further ahead?
Motoring is much more relaxing when
- staying well back
- scan
heavy braking can be avoided the correct lane is chosen early turning vehicles can be overtaken safer. The closer you travel behind a truck (bus or van) the more limited your visibility ahead will become. It creates unease for the truck driver and your passengers.
Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.
