How To Keep A Proper Following Distance When Driving | Drivekool

One would say, that the proper following distance would be the distance between the front of your
vehicle and the rear end of the vehicle in front of you such that no matter what you do,(i.e., slam on the
brakes), both your vehicles don’t collide with each other. And frankly, that’s the definition! The
necessary following distance can be different in different regions/countries due to the various aspects of
the driving environment.
How Much Following Distance is Required and How is it Measured?
The distance must be at least 3-5 seconds and this can easily be measured by selecting a certain
stationary object on the roadway, such as a tree, telephone booth or a lamp post. Once you do so, you
must start counting like – one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand, etc. When the
rear of the vehicle in front of you passes that particular object, continue to count until the front of your
vehicle reaches that same object.
Importance of Signaling
Signaling is an effective mode of communication between the drivers on the roadway and the vehicles
and the pedestrians. This includes using lights or arm signals. It’s a law in Illinois, U.S.A, that drivers must
signal at least 100 feet prior to turns in a city or certain residential areas, and 200 feet prior to turns on
an interstate or rural highway.
What Should You Do if You Find Yourself Being Tailgated?
You can never control the actions of any tailgater, so all you can do is reduce your speed and increase
your following distance to try and minimize the chances of abrupt braking or a terrible collision. The
worst thing you can do in such a situation is to slam on the brakes.
When to Increase Following Distance?
You must mostly do so with respect to the varying environmental conditions, like rain, fog, snow, etc. In
such situations, it’s advisable to rather cancel the trip but however, if you must go, then you have to
increase following distance.