When you see an accident on the road ahead, it will take you about 1.5 seconds to react. Then, a typical car requires 1.5 seconds to brake. That means you should keep at least 3 seconds of distance between you and any vehicle in front of you, and perhaps more depending on driving conditions. Show
For a truck driver cruising in a longer, heavier vehicle, more space and time is needed. For example, if driving a 60-foot vehicle at speeds over 40 mph, you should leave seven seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. You arrive at this number by calculating one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length plus an additional second for safety, a total of seven seconds. For a typical car, we can replace calculations with a good rule of thumb: allow at least 3 seconds between you and the car in front of you. If you’re in a large SUV, you may want to add an extra second. Here’s how to apply the Rule of Seconds:
The most common car accidents are rear-end collisions. Such accidents are often caused when drivers do not have enough time to react safely to slowing or stopped traffic, meaning they were following the car in front of them too closely. Watch this travelers’ video to see how it works. As you’ll see, time matters even more than space when it comes to safe driving. Stopping distance is what it will take to come to a full stop in an emergency, and is determined by your reaction distance and your braking distance. The reason the three-second rule works, no matter your speed, is that as your speed increases, the distance between you and the car ahead of you needs to increase to allow for a safe stopping distance. The rule of seconds requires an increase when it comes to snow, ice or heavy rain. The 3-second rule may need to be extended to 4, 5, or even 9 seconds. As you head out for the highway, give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. This will reduce the temptation to speed and tailgate. Follow the rule of seconds to give yourself more space and safety; it’s as easy as 1-2-3. If you have been injured in an auto accident through no fault of your own, an experienced attorney can help you navigate next steps. Call Allen & Allen today, at 866-388-1307. Florida Driver Handbook: Minimum Safe Following DistancesOrder now Table of Contents 5. Driving Safety
You must always share the road with other roadway users. The more distance between your vehicle and other roadway users, the more time you have to react. This space is a large space cushion designed for your protection. Always maintain a safe space cushion around your vehicle. Rear-end crashes are very common at intersections. Drivers following too closely, and then being unable to stop before hitting the vehicle ahead when it stops too quickly causes these types of crashes. Keep a minimum following distance of three to four seconds with an additional second for any unusual weather or traffic conditions. To determine your following distance:
There are certain situations where you would need more space in front of your vehicle. In the following situations, you may need more than a three-second following interval to be safe due to high-risk behavior. Add more space in front of your vehicle and increase your following interval in the following situations:
Leave extra space in front of your vehicle when stopped behind another vehicle on a hill or incline. The vehicle ahead may roll back before it begins to move forward. 5.26.1 - Following Distance for TrucksA truck or any vehicle towing another vehicle may not follow within 300 feet of another truck or vehicle towing a vehicle. This law does not apply to overtaking and passing, and it does not apply within cities or towns. << previous chapter << previous section next section >> next chapter >> Check out our Customer Reviews! When following large vehicles a block your view of the road ahead Give yourself a blank second or more cushion of space in front of your vehicle?You should also give yourself a 4-second or more cushion: (a) when following large vehicles that block the view ahead because you need the extra room to see around the vehicle and to the sides, (b) when you encounter a bus, school bus, or vehicle carrying hazardous materials near a railroad track because they must stop ...
What should you do if you are being tailgated by a truck or other large vehicle?Don't Get Tackled: How to Deal With Tailgaters Safely. Keep your distance. The best way to deal with a tailgater is to stay away from them in the first place. ... . Stay calm. ... . Get out of the way. ... . Maintain a consistent speed. ... . Don't overuse your brakes. ... . Don't become a tailgater yourself. ... . Don't try to police the roadway.. When driving in heavy traffic you should do which of the following?Make smart driving decisions in heavy traffic
Avoid aggressive driving and weaving from lane to lane. Keep a safe distance, at least three seconds, between you and the vehicle ahead of you. This will help you avoid frequent braking and rear end collisions. Watch the traffic ahead closely.
When passing a trolley you must pass from what side the left side the right side either side you Cannot pass a trolley?When a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or at an intersection where traffic is controlled by a peace officer or traffic signal light, you may pass at no more than 10 mph.Do not overtake and pass any light-rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side, whether it is moving or standing.
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