The right distance

Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial: it always allows us to have the necessary space to stop the car without causing or sustaining damage. This distance corresponds to the stopping distance, which is equal to: the distance traveled by the vehicle during the perception, reaction, and mechanical braking activation time + mechanical braking distance. At a speed of 130 km/h, the stopping distance is approximately 150 m. How can we calculate it quickly while driving? With the three-second rule: count 3 seconds in your head from the moment the vehicle in front of us – which is traveling at roughly our speed – passes a fixed reference point; if we reach the same reference point before finishing counting, we are too close. To learn more, consult our manual Safe Driving, available in print on Amazon and in eBook and print on Lulu