Follow by 1001 and 1002

Most rear-end collisions account for nearly a third of all crashes. Looking away for just a second at the wrong moment and/or traveling too closely behind another vehicle, are the main causes. Unfortunately, this dangerous practice, commonly called tailgating, is widespread. Some drivers may not even realize that they are following too closely, never having learned the two-second rule:

When the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain fixed object (tree, road sign etc.) starts counting slowly: ‘One thousand and one, one thousand and two’. If you can finish this (two seconds) count comfortably before passing the object, you are at a safe distance.

The driver in the car starts counting as the van passes the speed sign. If he can count out two - seconds comfortably, before passing the sign, he is traveling at a safe distance. The magic of this formula is that it works at any speed (and not only on a freeway). At 80 km/h or 100 km/h two seconds are obviously a far greater distance than at 20km/h. allow a further second or two under the following circumstances:

• An icy, wet or gravel road surface (increased braking distance).
• With limited visibility (heavy rain, fog, at night).
• When being followed too closely, move away (allow for the tailgater).
• Following a learner driver.
• Traveling at greater speeds for a long period (this allows for extra reaction time)

Tailgating drivers must focus constantly on the vehicle ahead. How do they read the road for danger further ahead?   Tailgating a truck would be fatalistic if it breaks suddenly.

Driving is much more relaxing when

• Staying well back
• Scanning traffic for hazards ahead
• Heavy braking can be avoided
• The correct lane is chosen early
• Turning vehicles can be overtaken safer.