Safe Distance Between Cars While Driving
Tailgating is a relatively universal experience on the road. Many drivers would likely admit to getting a little too close to the car ahead of them when they need to get a move on, whether because they’re running late for an appointment or attempting to get somewhere similar on time.
At the same time, those drivers would most likely voice their disdain for being tailgated, let alone being the instigator. It’s a nerve-wracking experience; when you’re pressed up against someone else’s bumper, it’s difficult to relax and focus on the road.
Whether it’s a one-off thing or a bad habit, there’s a reason the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls tailgating an aggressive driving behavior: It puts you, the other driver, and everyone else on the road at risk. In fact, tailgating may be responsible for as many as 1 in 3 car accidents.
Keeping adequate distance between yourself and other cars is one of the most fundamental yet overlooked rules of safe driving. It’s not just about avoiding a rear-end collision; it also gives you enough time and space to react to the unexpected.
Why Is Safe Following Distance Necessary?
Imagine that the driver in front of you suddenly slams on their brakes. If you’re right on their bumper, you likely have no time to react and stop safely.
Protecting yourself and those around you in that moment comes down to the space between your car and the one in front of you. If you follow too closely, you may not have the opportunity to do what’s necessary to avoid a collision.
Avoiding an accident isn’t the only benefit of maintaining safe distances on the road. Doing so also gives you better visibility, allowing you to anticipate sudden moves and changes. For example, if the car in front of you were to swerve to avoid something, you’d be able to do the same.
How To Make Enough Space
If it’s hard for you to judge a safe distance just eyeballing it, try the three-second rule. Here’s how it works:
- Pick a stationary object in front of you, like a signpost or a tree.
- As the car ahead passes that object, count out three seconds.
- If you reach that object before you finish counting, you’re too close to them.
You can also use car lengths: For every ten miles per hour you’re driving, leave one car’s worth of space between yourself and the next person. At 50 miles an hour, there should be about five car lengths between the two of you.
When To Make Adjustments
The three-second and car-length tactics are both great for safe driving under normal conditions, but sometimes conditions simply aren’t “normal.” Harsh weather or bad roads warrant extra space. Try to at least double your distance in these circumstances.
Larger vehicles also need more space since they usually have bigger blind spots and need more room to maneuver. A similar mindset applies to the road’s smallest vehicles, like motorcycles or bicycles, as they’re much more vulnerable to road hazards than cars.
Lastly, if you’re feeling tired, distracted, or stressed, err on the side of caution and give yourself more space to react.
Safety First
If you’re in a rush to get where you need to be, it’s tempting to tailgate or speed. But as slim as the chances might seem, car accidents aren’t just things that happen to other people. Sometimes, what determines if you have an accident or don’t is as simple as how much space you give yourself on the road.
Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers. Call us at (281) 992-8633 for Help Today
Please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas. Call us at (281) 612-7550.
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
409-904-0753
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633
