Tailgating

This week I'd like to discuss safe following distances. Many people might be familiar with the uncomfortable feeling of someone following your vehicle too closely. Having another driver right on your bumper feels terrible because it is very unsafe.

Immediately in front of and behind your vehicle is a danger zone which you have to keep open and filled with space. There is a specific distance that you must be following another vehicle, any closer than which you will not be able to stop should the vehicle in front of you suddenly brake for an emergency.

A rule of thumb for finding a safe following distance is to make sure that your vehicle is following at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you in ideal conditions. As conditions are very rarely ideal, especially on the 'Wet Coast', I advocate an extended following distance of 4 seconds while in the city and 6 seconds while on the highway. This will help to compensate for mechanical, environmental or driver conditions being less-than-ideal.

To find a safe following distance, as the vehicle ahead of you passes a landmark or signpost, begin counting 'one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three, one thousand and four' etc until your vehicle passes the object to ensure that your following distance is sufficient. Do not be afraid to leave a long following distance; if another driver pulls in front of you and reduces your space, simply lift your foot off of the accelerator and drop back a little before resuming your speed.