Low - Risk Driving  a skill for LIFE 

- - - - - - - - - - Road Safety by Dieter Fischer - - - - - - - - - - ISBN No. 0 09577 426 06   

   Your  SAFETY  is  Driving

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C.27    MINIMUM  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 may not even realize that they are following too closely, never having learned the two-second rule:

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.

 

The two-second distance count:

The driver in the white car starts counting, as the van passes the road sign. 

If the driver can comfortably count-out two seconds, before passing the sign, the distance to the preceding vehicle is safe.

At 80 km/h or 100 km/h two seconds are obviously a far greater distance than at 20km/h. However, the principle remains the same!

 

View animation here  >>>   Overtaking and safe following distance

 

Allow a further second or two under the following circumstances:

Travelling on a gravel road or wet road surface. Increased braking distance!
When visibility is reduced under adverse conditions. In heavy rain, fog, at night.
When being followed too closely.  Allow extra space for the tailgater.
Following a learner driver or interstate visitor. That’s what the L- plates are for.
Travelling at higher speeds over a long period  Allows for slower reaction!

A standard excuse for following too closely, is the concern that motorist in the other lane fill up your two second safety gap. Let them! Simply, drop back and establish the two seconds distance again.

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 vehicle ahead; not a relaxed way of driving!

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 reducing the chance of a rear-end crash.

   
Disclaimer: Above information could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents or failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend you use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor. Site copyright ©driving-school.com.au  2001 / June Revised 2010

Here is a little test to remember what you have learned. Firstly, answer the True / False question. Secondly, using the letter beside the correct answer, form a word. All answers are on this page!

 T>    M 

 Rear-end crashes account for about one third of all road crashes.    F>    L
 T>    I Staying back two car-lengths is sufficient safety margin at any speed.   F>    O
 T>    F If I follow closely behind a truck the driver will take more notice of me.    F>    V
 T>    E Two seconds following distance may not be sufficient under adverse conditions.   F>    E

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