Safe following distance

Many two-vehicle crashes occur because one vehicles is following another too closely. Rear-end collisions can be avoided if the follwoing car keeps a safe distance. Use the two-second rule to establish a safe distance.

Select a stationary object ahead, such as an overpass or a traffic sign. Start to count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two" as soon as the car you are following passes the object. If it takes less than two seconds, you are following too closely.

• A good way to get rid of tailgaters is to slow down and make it easier for them to pass you;
• You should never follow closer than two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you;
• Ride single file;
• Long distacne driving is exhausting, and may negatively affect your awareness and reaction time. It is a good idea to increase your following distance to six seconds and remember to stop and rest every two hours;
• Drivers should increase their following distance by several seconds as a general rule in adverse weather, and when you are towing a trailer or other object, to give you extra stopping time.