Why Maintain a Larger Following Distance?
2 Answers
When driving in traffic, maintaining a sufficient safe distance is crucial to ensure adequate space for evasive maneuvers in emergency situations. The advantages of keeping an appropriate safety gap include: 1. Facilitates Evasion: Provides ample space to react to sudden hazards. 2. Enhances Forward Visibility: Closer proximity to the leading vehicle obstructs the view of road conditions ahead. 3. Prevents Brake-Light-Related Collisions: Mitigates risks when the leading vehicle's brake lights malfunction, delaying braking detection. 4. Reduces Rear-End Collisions: Excessive tailgating significantly increases the likelihood of rear-end accidents.
I've been driving for over 20 years and witnessed too many rear-end collisions caused by tailgating. Maintaining a greater following distance gives me sufficient reaction time—for instance, when the car ahead suddenly brakes or an obstacle appears, I have several seconds to brake and avoid impact. This is especially crucial on highways where higher speeds increase braking distances; at 60 km/h, you need at least 30 meters to come to a complete stop. I adhere to the three-second rule: pick a roadside marker, and after the leading vehicle passes it, count three seconds before I reach the same point. In adverse weather like rain or snow, which makes roads slippery, I double this distance for safe driving. Adopting this habit has significantly reduced my driving stress and helped prevent unnecessary troubles.
