Do you think the 2 second rule for safe following distance would be reduced to 1 second in 10 or 20 years?

First, they say 1 car length for every 10 mph. Then they say to allow 4 seconds following distance and then they reduced it to 2 seconds. I think with cars becoming better in the future to stop in shorter distances, the 2 second rule may be reduced to a 1 second rule. What do you think?

I was following a car the other day going 40 mph. When his rear bumper passed a white stop line of an intersection, I started counting to see how close I was. I was following with 1 second. Another intersection, I was following with less than a second, about 1/2 second distance. Any closer than that, I'll consider that hardcore tailgating even though you probably consider that tailgating already. But the way I see it as long I leave myself "an out" I could swerve in the right shoulder if I needed to. And I don't feel following with a 1 second distance is close at all for the speed I was going. I would never follow that close on the interstate or in the rain. And I've also had times that I'll be following with 1/2 or 1 second distance and the car ahead would stop quick and I'll always stop behind it WITHOUT hitting it. So, I think people who rear end a car are mostly not paying attention and they assume the car ahead would never stop, what do you think?

And also the 2 second rule is just a suggesting and not a requirement. I think it's for the dumbest drivers who don't have good reaction time. Since some people say allow 3 seconds and others say allow 4 seconds, it seems to me it depends on what the driver feels is comfortable. What do you think?

I would say if I'm talking on the cell phone or changing the radio station while driving, I do allow a greater following distance. But when I'm not doing anything, I generally follow closer because my full attention is on the car ahead.

Courage

My mom was pulled over by a cop for 'tailgating' and she was about as close as you are saying you were. She got a ticket for unsafe driving.

You can never completely stop the powers of inertia and physics. The 2 second rule can save your life (it's saved mine.) The rule of thumb is still 2 seconds up to about 30-40 miles per hour, then add a second per every 10 miles, making it close to 6-8 seconds on normal highway driving.

Here's something else to think about. If you were able to stop faster like you are counting on your car to stop you would injure yourself. Sure, someday we might have cars that can stop on a dime. Would we want them though? That would be akin to slamming face first into a brick wall. You'd be injured. A gradual safe stop is preferred for our physiology. Until you improve the human being, or have an inertia canceler, then gradual.

And I can't begin to tell you how many accidents I've avoided by having space to maneuver in. Space only afforded by the 2-second + 1 past 30 mph rule that I follow. The amount I save on insurance every month makes all the difference.

So now, it's not the law. But there's no reason to follow that close.

Add: Sorry, wrong Goofy Cartoon. This is the one I was thinking about. At some point it goes into stopping distances and why we have them. Yes, anti-lock brakes have helped, but we can't get much better without injuring the motorist. And there's no reason to follow that close. Makes driving more tense anyway.

Add: Actually, to the poster saying it's never been the 2 second but the 3 second rule... I've only heard it as the 2 second rule. You recite "Only a Fool breaks the 2 second rule" and that's about 2 seconds. When I went to drivers ed, it was taught to us as 2 seconds up to 30-40mph. 40mph becomes 3 seconds. 50, 4 seconds. 60, 5 seconds. 70, 6 seconds. 80, 7 seconds (and that's most highway driving these days.)

Another unintentional side affect from following too close is you can get the person ahead of you angry... as in road rage. My parents always taught me to slow down if someone's following too close (it encourages them to pass, and it also gives you more of a chance for not being rear-ended.) So if you're in a rush, it's not even beneficial if you're behind some people.

Vince M

Cars may be getting better but not the drivers.

National Safety Council has advocated the three second rule for many years.

For most people, it take a full second to merely react to a situation, plus, aditional time is required to recognize what is requried of that situation and even more time to perform the actions required. And this, of course, assumes that the correct action is taken and doesn't require an instant change in strategy. ( brake, brake hard, swerve left, swerve right, plow through, etc)

Your strategy is flawed because while your full attention may be on the car ahead, the situation could be developing three, five or fifteen car lengths in front of HIM. In other words, YOUR survival depends on HIS reactions. What if he doesn't and plows into something, and you blissfully plow into him because HE failed to react.

oklatom

To begin with, it's not a 2 second rule and was never a 4 second rule. It is and always has been a 3 second rule. See http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/maintain-a-safe-following-distance-the-3-second-rule.html

If you are driving with less than 1 second, you are tailgating and are not driving safely. It doesn't matter what your attention is on. At 65 you are traveling 96 feet per second, and your reaction time will not be fast enough to cover the brake and slow before hitting a rapidly slowing car in front of you.

And the 3 second rule is for daylight, dry roads. Night, rain, snow, fog, increase it to at least 6 seconds.

Garden Hoe

Only if you get picked to head the Department of Public Safety!

broham85

Why would you want to be so close to another vehicle? Consider not only that they might stop short but that they could run something over and toss it back toward your vehicle. Your only "out" for that might be a full stop, not an unsafe swerve. And the "if I'm talking on the cell phone" statement is no good. That only suggests you don't know what you're doing out there. I'd recommend you stay off the phone completely and leave a greater amount of distance then you are. If you're giving yourself minimum stopping distance, you're constantly rolling the dice for what reason? There really isn't anything to gain from it except a tough lesson.

Paul

The rule is 3 seconds. This should be listed in your DMV handbook. Go to your local DMV and get the handbook to confirm it.

The

no way

USMC VET

listen son, dont try be ing a hero. you have been "anticipating" these situations. peeps in reg accidents dont have that luxary. thus the law...hope it only increases cuz idiots like you wanna temp fate and put others at harms way. park your car...your grounded!!!!!

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