11 Aug Maintaining a Safe Following Distance While Driving
Most drivers recognize the importance of maintaining a safe following distance while driving. However, impatience, distracted driving, unfamiliar roadways, poor driving conditions, and a misunderstanding of what a safe following distance really is can all affect your driving safety. If you are following too closely behind a car and aren’t prepared for them to brake or stop suddenly, you may rear end them or end up causing a pileup. Here’s how to maintain a safe following distance while driving.
Understanding Your Following Distance
Understanding what a safe following distance is begins with the three-second rule. This means that you should always start with having at least three seconds of reaction time between you and the car in front of you. Pick a landmark ahead on the road, and when the car in front of you passes that landmark, count the number of seconds that pass before you reach the landmark yourself. If it is less than three seconds, you are following too closely.
Making Allowances for Road Conditions
The three-second rule is a good starting point, but it only applies to ideal driving conditions and roadways, and standard vehicles. If you are driving a truck or a larger, heavier car or towing a trailer, you will need more stopping time. Likewise if the roadway is slick from ice or rain, visibility is low, or you’re driving at high speeds on the freeway or highway.
How Many Feet Should You Put Between You & the Car in Front of You?
In order to determine how many feet you should leave between you and the car in front of you, you should multiply your driving speed by the number of feet in a mile, or 5,280. This will tell you how many feet of distance you cover in an hour of driving. Then, divide that number by 60 to find out how many feet of distance you cover in one minute of driving. Next, divide that by 60 to find out how many feet of distance you cover in one second of driving. Finally, multiply that by three to find your safe driving distance at your current speed. Obviously, you can’t pull out a calculator and do this math while driving. However, you can do it ahead of time to have a general sense of the space you need to put between yourself and the car in front of you. This is particularly important before you embark on a road trip via freeway or highway.
Why Your Following Distance Is Important
Rear ending accidents are the most common type of car accident in the U.S., and also the most dangerous. The severity of the accident and injuries increases the faster you’re driving and the more cars that are on the road with you. If you’re traveling via highway or freeway, a rear-end accident can quickly cause a pileup. If you want to protect yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road, do your part to drive safely and conscientiously at all times.
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