Safe following distances!

You must drive a safe distance behind a vehicle travelling in front of you. Following another vehicle too closely is known as tailgating. If you tailgate you may not be able to safely stop in time to avoid a collision.

Safe following distances vary depending on:

• your speed
• the driving conditions
• the type of vehicle you’re driving.

What is a safe following distance?

In most cases, a safe following distance is much longer than a car length.

You should drive at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front during ideal conditions.

Add 1 second extra for each 3m of trailer length—when driving a vehicle towing a trailer or caravan.

Remember to also:

• double your following distance in poor conditions
• increase following distances if you're driving a heavy vehicle.

Time-lapse method

Cars using the time-lapse method

You can use the time-lapse method to keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front.

1. Pick a mark on the road or an object close to the left-hand side of the road, such as a power or light pole.
2. When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the object, count ‘1 thousand 1, 1 thousand 2’ or 'Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule!' (these both take about 2 seconds to say!).
3. If the front of your vehicle passes the object before you finish counting, you are too close, so drop back.