Distractions such as texting, having a drink or looking at a navigation device also play a role in rear-end collisions. Even if you use the three-second rule, you may not have time to react to danger when you`re distracted. This is another reason why you should avoid distractions while driving.3 You should also increase your next distance if you see any type of bus when driving in cities. These vehicles must stop at railway crossings, so remain vigilant. There are several ways to calculate your braking distance. One way is to multiply your speed by a certain factor that increases with your speed. If you find that you have passed the marking point before counting the three seconds, follow the other vehicle too closely. This simple rule works no matter how fast you travel. Because the faster you drive, the longer the distance you travel within the three-second time limit. Following too closely can be defined as: “Situations where a vehicle follows another vehicle so closely that even if the next driver pays attention to the actions of the vehicle ahead, he could not avoid a collision if the driver brakes suddenly.” 14 Some experts consider a two-second interval to be the absolute minimum you should allow, but suggest that to be truly sure, you should apply the three-second rule instead. This means that in addition to the two seconds, you allow an extra second of distance to give you an extra margin of safety.
The purpose of maintaining a safe tracking distance is to give your car the time it takes to stop before it hits the car in front. Demystifying the three-second rule: The three-second rule is a popular mindset about distance adherence that many laypeople learn in online driving courses or road safety schools when they get their driver`s license from the DMV. The three-second rule states that you should simply leave three seconds of space between you and the vehicle you are following. While this rule (and others, such as leaving a certain number of car lengths) may be useful for non-professional drivers when they first learn to drive, it is not comprehensive enough for professional commercial vehicle drivers. A standard interval of three seconds (or three seconds) does not take into account your vehicle`s speed, length, weight, road conditions, bad weather, or other factors. In fact, the recommended distance to the FMCSA is one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length, with an additional second for speeds above 40 MPH. In addition, the FMCSA recommends that drivers double their subsequent distance in adverse road conditions, including inclement weather. Professional drivers should ensure that they always leave enough space in front of their vehicle, even if there is a lot of traffic or if they have a tailgater behind them. Following the FMCSA guide (instead of the three-second rule) can help, but it can be difficult to calculate how much tracking distance you need in your head while driving. This is where technology can help – read on to learn more. There seem to be a lot of impatient drivers on the roads these days.
But if you want to avoid a car collision, don`t be a tailgater! If you lean on other drivers and follow them too closely, you`re more likely to collide. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident, and it`s usually because at least one driver isn`t paying attention. This leads to a slower response, which shortens braking and braking distance. Ideally, you should always try to keep a distance of 3 seconds or more whenever possible. This gives you more time to react if the vehicle in front of you brakes or hits another car. Your total braking distance is your reaction distance plus your braking distance. For example, if something happens in front of you and you cover 20 feet before reacting, then 20 feet before you stop the car completely, your total braking distance is 40 feet. Since many commercial vehicles have a longer braking distance than cars, it is even more important for drivers of light commercial vehicles to avoid tailgating. According to the FMCSA, the average braking distance for a loaded semi-trailer travelling at 55 miles per hour (under ideal conditions) is 196 feet, compared to 133 feet for a passenger car. Determining the three-second interval is relatively simple. When following a vehicle, choose a road sign, tree, or other road marker. Note when the vehicle in front passes this marking and see how many seconds it takes (count 1-1,000; 2-1,000; 3-1,000) to pass in the same place.
If it`s not at least three seconds, leave more space and increase your next distance. Did you know? The average stopping distance for a loaded semi-trailer travelling at 55 miles per hour (under ideal conditions) is 196 feet, compared to 133 feet for a passenger car.79 The reaction distance is determined by the distance between your car and how you react to it. There is always a certain amount of time between when something happens and when you press the brakes.