Let's keep our distance

"While driving, vehicles must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, such that timely stopping is guaranteed in all cases and collisions with preceding vehicles are avoided." Thus states Article 149 of the Highway Code. Recent vehicles—equipped with ABS and highly efficient braking systems—allow us to stop in relatively short spaces, but they can give us an illusory sense of security. To stop the car without causing or sustaining damage, a safe distance is fundamental. This distance corresponds to the stopping distance, which is calculated by summing: 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. With the three-second rule, we can quickly calculate it while driving, with a good approximation: we count 3 seconds in our head from the moment the vehicle in front of us—which is traveling more or less at our speed—passes a fixed reference point; if we reach the same reference point at the end of 3 seconds, we are at the correct distance; otherwise, we are too close. To learn more, consult our manual Safe Driving, in e-book and print versions.)