What is a safe following distance?

A.J.

A safe following distance is the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. It's for safety... ideally drivers should keep a minimum of three to four seconds of space in between them(more when the weather gets bad). That way, you give yourself enough time if the person in front of you stops suddenly, you can come to a controlled stop or change lanes and avoid a collision all together.

With so many cars on the road, it's hard to maintain a safety cushion of more than 2+ seconds because there's ALWAYS someone that has to get in front of you.

For the person that answered after me, I instruct BOTH drivers of passenger cars and heavy buses, and the following distance is relative to the vehicle you are driving and the conditions you're driving in. The average following distance IN GOOD WEATHER AND for PREMIUM DRIVING conditions, i.e. optimal traction, good visibility, etc. for a car is 3 seconds. For a bus or truck it's 4 seconds UNDER 40mph in similar conditions (heavier vehicles need much more room to stop than the average car). Above 40mph you add one second to your following distance and one more second for each perceived hazard.

I also have a driver's manual, a CDL manual, Certification from NYS DMV, and Certification from the National Safety Council, plus 10+ years instructing people how to transport the elderly and disabled.

Vince M

National Safety Council recommends at least three seconds following distance. Not car lengths, since most of us are not well trained at measuring distances, but everyone can count, one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three.

This assumes good, dry road surface and ideal visibility, not to mention brakes in good working order on good tires.

terrellfastball

A safe following distance is defined as one which gives you ample time to safely react to whatever situation arises in front of you. This distance will vary by the speed and conditions, faster speeds and slick conditions merit extra following distance.

The Smith System promotes counting 4 seconds after the vehicle in front of you passes a particular point. This method works at all speeds and ensures a safe distance.

kay

that guy is WRONG! i just took drivers ed and i just got my permit and the following length is a 3 second gap ( like 1 mississippi, 2 mississippi.... so on) but if your following a big rig its 4 seconds.

Natasha L

When I learned, it's about 4 seconds if you're doing 70mph/90km, 3 seconds at 50mph/60km and 2 seconds at 30mph/50km.
The numbers are approximate (well accurate for km, not sure about miles).
So basically you look at an object that the car ahead of you passes and then count "one one-thousand two one-thousand" that's 2 seconds.
Also, a very rough estimate of braking distance is speed. So if you're doing 100km/h your braking will take about 100m. Again, not sure about miles. This braking distance includes your reaction time (3/4 of a second) and the braking time (also 3/4 of a second). You want your following distance to be at least the braking distance.
This is from a Canadian rulebook.

John

What the first guy said - unless you're putting on makeup. Then make it a city block per 10 mph.

Paul

MY answer isn't in the DMV book, but for ME, the distance is such that if the guy in front of me decides to turn, I don't have to apply the brakes.

mccoyblues

1 car length for every 10 miles per hour.

UCANTCME

It depends where you live................................

1. 1 car length for every 10 mph.

2. While driving down the road, stop to notice the space between your car and the one in front of you. Do you think you're following the car in front of you too closely? With the "two second rule," you can find out instantly whether you're at a safe distance or if you're too close.

As you're driving, pick out a stationary object the vehicle in front of you has just passed a telephone pole, a road sign or a mailbox. As soon as the vehicle completely clears the object, start counting "one thousand and one, one thousand and two."

This should take about two seconds. If you reach the object before you finish counting, you're following too closely if you reach the object after that, you're allowing a safe following distance.

Add at least another second if you're driving in bad weather or on slippery surfaces..........................

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