For novice drivers, you should keep a distance of at least 5 meters. Weather that limits your visibility can make it difficult for you to see potential problems. The two-second rule tells a defensive driver the minimum distance needed to reduce the risk of collision under ideal driving conditions. All drivers learn safe following distances when studying to receive their learner's permits and driver's licenses. Privacy Safe Following Distance. The Texas Department of Safety has written best practices for the driving distance between vehicles. Home Office: One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH. The weight of your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you - The heavier the vehicle the longer it takes to slow down. The awareness of the driver in front of you - The response time of the driver in front of you may be slower than yours. What is a safe following distance? When vehicles start and stop suddenly in heavy traffic, the potential for collisions increases. In the meantime, please feel free The recommended safe following distance between to vehicles is 2 to 3 seconds. Answer (1 of 6): Q: What is a safe following distance for urban driving? Keep 4 car lengths between you and a farm tractor (since they travel at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour) Keep 5 car lengths between you and a snow plow (since they travel at a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour) While you are . Answer (1 of 3): If you mean safe distance between you and the transmission line then here is a standard given by Western Power Company: Minimum distance 3\ m, I suggest the safe distance to be 8\ m. If you mean distance between 11\ kV power line and a house you will build, then considering onl. Copyright 2007-2022 - All Rights Reserved, Home | Contact | Terms and Conditions | Free Tests | Privacy Policy, This website is not affiliated with any State or Government Entity, Drivers following other vehicles too closely. . Pull over if something other than the road requires your attention. Thankfully there is a much simpler method to help you stay safe. Date: October 11, 2017 Source: Queensland University of Technology Summary: Confusion over what is a 'safe following distance' has road safety researchers . But what is a safe following distance? You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. If someone rear-ends you, consider legal help to claim, Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Restructuring, 2 important limitations on Alaska wrongful death lawsuits, Why listening to podcasts in the car might be a bad idea. Carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer. When driving in New Mexico under normal weather and environmental conditions, the general rule is to maintain three seconds of following distance between two vehicles. Make sure you understand the difference between the words increase and decrease! Yes, this will seem like an eternity. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails Then, a typical car requires 1.5 seconds to brake. It's safe to follow a 3-second distance rule for the speed limit from 35 to 45 mph. Let's dive in. [2]. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. But in wet weather and at night you should extend that distance to four seconds. To estimate the time, a driver can wait until the rear end of the vehicle in front passes any distinct and fixed . Knowing how to maintain a safe following distance is a crucial part of defensive driving. The physical distance will vary depending on the speed you are traveling at, the road conditions and the weather. If you get to one thousand three before you pass the object, then you are at least three seconds behind the other vehicle. Even if a 3-second following distance may be safe in good conditions and when following another passenger car, it does not mean that you can use the same distance in all situations. What is a safe driving distance between 2 cars. Note when the vehicle ahead passes that marker, then see how many seconds it takes (count 1-1,000; 2-1,000; 3-1,000) for . For long-distance driving, this means you can drive around 500 miles safely in a day. In this case, 95*3 tells you that a safe distance between cars driving 65 MPH is 285 feet. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()). Add 1 second extra for each 3m of trailer lengthwhen driving a vehicle towing a trailer or caravan. Therefore, large trucks should follow these guidelines when it comes to following distance: Traveling <40 mph: Allow at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length between you and the leading vehicle. That length is about 20 feet away from each other and that the traffic rule shall be followed including the workplace's speed limit. The report provides research-based insights to inform future efforts and serve . The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance. Use the same following distance that you use when driving your car. Distances When Driving. The '2 second' rule can estimate an adequate following distance. You can help avoid hitting someone else or being hit by following the three-second rule whenever possible. You can calculate the braking distance with a simple rule of thumb. Proper bicycle passing distance, driving speed, and knowledge of who has the right of way are crucial factors to successfully and safely pass a cyclist on the road. When driving to be safe, the lengths of the vehicles are also important. In this case, 343,200/60 gives you 5,720 feet per minute. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly Maintain at least a three-second following distance to help avoid dangerous situations. . Use two times the following distance that you use when driving your car. You should drive at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front during ideal conditions. With bad road conditions or poor visibility, you should allow more than four seconds. The more of a buffer zone you can give yourself to react to another driver . Safe driving means that you're significantly less likely to get into trouble with the police or parking enforcement wardens. Your total stopping distance is dramatically increased. The number of seconds it takes for you to reach it is your following distance. You can calculate this by using a fixed object, such as a pole or an overpass to determine how far in front of you the car is. When the vehicle ahead of you passes that fixed point, count to yourself, one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three. If your vehicle passes the same fixed point when you say one thousand three, then you have a three-second safe following distance. (Make sure youre counting properly; count one-1,000, two-1,000, three-1,000.) You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. 4-second stopping distance: You are driving between 55 mph and 75 mph on wet roads and/or congested traffic. Reaction Distance: Your reaction distance is how far you car travels between when something occurs ahead of you and you reacting to that incidence. C.) Use three times the following distance that you use in your car. If the road is covered in wet leaves, you will need to leave more than if it is dry, and so on. To maintain a safe following distance, try to follow the 3-second rule as often as possible. The rule means that your car should pass a fixed object two seconds after the car ahead of you passed the same object. This method automatically adjusts itself for your speed. A vehicle with a length of 10 feet shouldn't be compared to . Download today. when stopping always. Last updated: January 17, 2021Defensive Driving6. Keep 20 car lengths between you and a semi-truck. You may determine a safe distance between cars using the 3-second rule. As you merge with faster or slower traffic, leaving more room between yourself and other vehicles can improve your ability to safely enter and exit highways. Read More About Having An Escape Plan While Driving. Driving at a reasonable speed will not only help you avoid being rear-ended, but it will also help you avoid getting speeding tickets. Following distance, Rear end crash, Two second rule. 18m + 55m. That means that when a car passes any given point, you should be able to count to at least three (one Massachusetts, two Massachusetts, three Massachusetts) before you cross that same point. For your DMV test you should remember that following other vehicles too closely, or tailgating, is the primary cause of rear end crashes. The answer: A safe following distance is a distance that take into account all existing conditions, weather, road, vehicle, and driver. Refresh Articles. 4. 36. receive communications related to AARP volunteering. Driving behind buses, large trucks, and other drivers who cant see you. Rain, fog, or . 3-second stopping distance: You are driving 35 to 55 mph in good weather, on a safe road, and with minimal traffic. Maintain at least a three-second following distance to help avoid dangerous situations. The Future of Mobility. In this case, 5,720/60 is about 95 feet. driving a larger vehicle and/or towing a trailer, study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, California Driving In this video, I give you some tips on how to keep safe distances when following other vehicles, when being followed, and when turnin. Drivers can also estimate the safe distance to drive the car on the spot. In other states, this safe distance can be three seconds or more. 73m (240 feet) 70mph. Determining the three-second gap is relatively easy. Your stopping distance is affected by how well you can see ahead, the time it takes for you to react, and the condition of brakes, tires, and pavement. How do your medications affect your driving? At road speeds outside of towns, the distance must be approximately 4 seconds, and in metres the same as the speedometer reading - 80 metres at 80 km/h. Did you tap on an answer by mistake? The 2-second rule is one of the most popular strategies for maintaining an appropriate distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Braking distance is the distance a vehicle will travel from when its brakes are fully applied until it comes to a stop. Since the safe space between cars varies based on speed, weather . Stop to grab a bite, ease yourself, fill up, or simply stretch your muscles. Pick a point on the road, and when the vehicle in front passes it, you should aim to pass the same point at least three seconds later. A: 2 seconds The safe driving distance is the same on every road, at every speed: 2 seconds. For example, if you are traveling at 60 mph, you will need to leave a much greater distance than if you are traveling at 10 mph. In the past, it was often suggested that you keep one car length of safety distance for every 10 mph of speed. This is under good driving conditions and should be considered the bare minimum. What Is The Safe Following Distance? In the late . www.aarp.org/volunteer. Safe Driving Distance at 55 MPH in Good Conditions. If you expect someone to tell you to always follow 200 feet or three seconds behind other vehicles, you are missing the point! You must keep enough distance between you and the vehicle travelling in front so you can, if necessary, stop safely to avoid colliding with the vehicle. This is about 2/3 the length of the car's body. In this case, 95*3 tells you that a safe distance between cars driving 65 MPH is 285 feet. John Davis. The 2-3 Second Rule: Most International road safety campaigns refer to the "2" or "3" Second Rule" as a guideline for safe following distances. A point on the road is noted, 2-3 seconds are counted, and if that point is still visible then there's probably enough following distance. If you're driving a car at 55mph, you could reach a full stop in about 200ft, potentially less. You should drive at a speed that allows you to stop within this distance, which is around 50 mph. When these drivers get too close, devastating rear-end accidents can occur [] Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and other marks displayed on this page are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, unless otherwise disclosed. Well, it is the fifth leading cause of auto collisions according to the US Department of Public Safety. If the road is covered in wet leaves, you will need to leave more than if it is dry, and so on. This gap should be increased if it is wet, visibility is poor, you are driving downhill, you are being tailgated or if you are tired, unwell or distracted. For example, if you are traveling at 60 mph, you will need to leave a much greater distance than if you are traveling at 10 mph. related to AARP volunteering. So if you are traveling at 65 MPH, you would multiple 5280*65 and find out you drive 343,200 feet in an hour. Driving Etiquette & Safety Tips Maintain a Safe Following Distance. At 50 mph, that distance is 229 feet. Recheck against a new fixed point after you have increased your distance. Overtaking a cyclist on the road can be dangerous for the driver and the cyclist. This formula can help you to figure out a safe driving distance in terms of feet based on your speed. Don't multi-task, like talking or texting, eating and drinking, or fiddling with the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system. Avoid driving on either side and slightly to the rear of another vehicle for a long time. In the city, this distance will be used by an experienced driver and make a novice shorten the distance and get nervous. This is probably because most drivers do not know what the safe following distance is. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. [3], Road signs provide guidance on how you should be driving in a given area. Remaining at least 2 seconds from the vehicle in front will provide a distance of one car . Oops! In most cases, a safe following distance is much longer than a car length. Following vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings. These new rules are very easy to use. Insurance terms, definitions and explanations are intended for informational purposes only and do not in any way replace or modify the definitions and information contained in individual insurance contracts, policies, or declaration pages, which are controlling. Keeping a safe following distance means that you must give yourself enough time and distance to stop safely should the vehicle ahead you stop short or suddenly hit something. For safe highway driving, make sure you're driving distraction-free, always signaling, and maintaining a safe distance. Just as there is no safe speed in all situations, there is no safe following distance that applies to all conditions. details. This is also true when you follow motorcycles that might have a shorter stopping distance or when your view ahead is obstructed by large vehicles. If you pass the same point before you make it to three, you are likely too close to the car in front of you and will need to slow down in order to increase your following distance. You're driving down the road, look in your rear-view mirror, and realize the car behind you is way too close. The providers terms, conditions and policies apply. You should be able to finish the count of one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three before you reach that fixed point. A safe following distance is just as important, if not more important than keeping a safe speed. Parent-Taught Drivers Ed, Colorado 55+ Most rear end collisions are caused by the vehicle in back following too closely. Here are four key defensive driving techniques that will help you stay safe: 1. There is no exact answer to this question. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Questions about following distances are common on a knowledge test, and they usually focus on the fact that you must increase the distance under certain conditions. For long-distance journeys, it is recommended to take a driving break every 2 hours or 200 Km. These vehicles can fall more easily, so its best to be safe with a greater following distance. The simplest way to keep a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you is not by a measurement in terms of distance but one in terms of time. Slippery roads can also hinder your vehicle from stopping in a timely manner. When heading out on the road, it's important to be aware of what can go wrong. Increasing your following distance will help you give the space and time to react in case the vehicle in front of you slams on the brakes or hit another car. How did that happen? Other examples of safe driving distances include: Fifty feet for farm tractors with a speed of 25 mph; Seventy feet for Snow Plow with a rate of 55 mph; 243 feet for cars; 300 feet for semi-trucks; Overall, keeping a safe driving distance is a pivotal part of staying safe on the road. This rule must be adjusted to 5-6 seconds when: This is also the case if you're less experienced, tired, towing or if you're carrying a heavy load. This situation can be frustrating and dangerous which is why it's so important to give the cars around you enough space. How does your hearing impact your driving? Keeping a safe following distance means that you must give yourself enough time and distance to stop safely should the vehicle ahead you stop short or suddenly hit something. (To work out this distance, choose something beside the road. Why You Need To Maintain Traveling Distance If you're travelling at 70mph, the stopping distance will be more like 24 car lengths. Keep enough distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid a crash. Later, drivers were introduced to the two-second rule. Such terms and availability may vary by state and exclusions may apply. Increasing your following distance behind vehicles like school buses and delivery trucks affords you more time to use your brakes. It can be an overpass, a utility pole or a shadow across the road. The faster you drive, the greater the impact or striking power of your vehicle. Next, divide the feet per hour by the number of minutes in an hour (60). Lastly, take the number of feet per second and multiply it by three to get your safe following distance. Thanks for A2A. However, the number of car lengths that two seconds represent varies depending on your speed. You reduce the risk of a rear end crash by always keeping a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. B.) Discounts may not be applied to all policy coverages. If you'd like to learn more strategies that can improve your driving skills (and possibly get you an insurance discount), check out ouronline driver's ed course! Be alert and always know what is happening around your vehicle. This means counting to three seconds when passing between . Read AARP The Magazine, the AARP Bulletin and lifestyle newsletters in the free AARP Publications app. When the vehicle passes the object, count, '1001, 1002'. Add an additional two seconds for torrential rain and thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions, or for dust storms. When the vehicle in front of your passes a fixed object count three seconds after it. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. The 2 second rule is a method used to gain a safe following distance at any speed and is also an easy system for all drivers to remember and to put into action. Schedule proper breaks about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips. Then, you'll want to divide the feet per minute by the number of seconds in a minute (60). Select your state to see other course options for insurance or court requirements. . 25 mph unless marked differently. This is just the minimum safe distance between cars. Keep 33 car lengths between you and an emergency vehicle. The law in each country varies but typically runs from two seconds up to five . If it takes you 3-5 seconds to pass an object after the car ahead of you has passed it, you're at a safe following distance. Sitemap Too many drivers have no clue what the car in front is doing because they are looking at their phones, daydreaming, talking to people in the rear or a host of other dangerous distractions. Simply put, following distance is the distance between your car and the car in front of you. Of course, you'll want to figure this out before getting behind the wheel. Your stopping distance is the sum of reaction time and braking distance. Ed, Illinois 18-21 The rules. We recommend three seconds when possible. 21m + 75m. That's an additional 63 feet, compared to a passenger vehicle. If you're driving a long vehicle (over 7.5m, including towed vehicles), you must drive at least 60m behind other long vehicles, unless you're: driving on a multi-lane road. When driving during major inclement weather such as snow, ice, heavy rain, etc., you should increase your safe following distance to a minimum of 5 seconds (during extreme icing events, as much as 10 seconds is recommended). If you are driving at 46 to 70 mph, a 4-second rule would be ideal. The reasoning is that it takes almost 2 seconds for. You should adjust this figure based on the speed limit and likelihood of other circumstances such as toll roads, fatigue, and extended traffic or breaks. If your vehicle arrives at the fixed point before you reach the count of one thousand three, you are too close. See also: How does your hearing impact your driving? . What Is The Safe Following Distance? It takes the average person about 1.5 seconds to react to a situation and apply the brakes. As a general rule, it's safe to drive for no longer than eight hours a day, taking breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours. How it works; . Lessons, California Traffic Although it does not take into account the . Accessibility Keep a safe distance between vehicles and take turns to merge in long lines of traffic. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA. Damage caused by any impact is more severe. When following a vehicle, pick an overhead road sign, a tree or other roadside marker.