Why It Is Important to Maintain a Safe Following Distance at All Times

Following another vehicle too closely, or tailgating, is a dangerous driving practice that many motorists engage in. When a driver is in a rush, distracted, or simply doesn’t realize they are not leaving enough space to slow down or stop, severe and sometimes fatal car accidents can occur.

We’re all taught in our driver’s education classes that tailgating is bad. But what is a safe following distance? Here, we’ll explain how to measure distances between vehicles while driving in Vancouver.

How Do You Maintain a Safe Following Distance?

When determining a safe following distance under normal weather conditions, a good rule of thumb is to leave three seconds of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. You can gauge the correct distance using a fixed object such as a road sign or an overpass.

Begin counting as soon as the vehicle in front of you passes the fixed object. Stop counting as soon as you pass the same thing. If you are following at a safe distance, your car should take at least three seconds to reach the object. If it takes you less time, you may be following too closely.

When Should You Increase Your Following Distance?

In some cases, you may need to increase your following distance beyond the usual three-second rule. Taking these steps is the best way to practice defensive driving in Vancouver.

• Poor weather conditions: Increase your following distance in bad weather such as rain, snow, sleet, fog, and mist. Poor weather reduces visibility and creates slippery roads, which means you’ll need more time to stop to avoid an accident.
• Night driving: Like inclement weather, driving at night reduces visibility, so leaving extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you is important.
• Following large trucks: If you are following a passenger vehicle, three seconds is generally a safe distance. You need more space if you’re behind a large truck or tractor-trailer. Leave at least two more seconds between yourself and the truck. Remember that trucks have large blind spots. If you can’t see the driver in their side mirrors, they can’t see you.
• Following a bus – Buses make frequent stops, so keep a safe following distance by leaving more space between your vehicle and the bus.

Other times you should increase your following distance include following a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or when you are exiting or merging onto a freeway.

Contact Our Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Warnett Hallen LLP Today

Were you injured in a car accident caused by a tailgating driver in Vancouver? If so, you could be entitled to compensation. Let the skilled Vancouver car accident lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP stand up and fight for you. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.