Leave a solid 1.5 to 2 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you while on the highway. When someone wants to merge into that space, let them and recreate the separation. It’s a kindness not just to those who merge into the space, but to all drivers as it makes travel for everyone safer and lower stress.
it should be 1 car length per 10mph of speed. 2 car lengths isn’t enough at highway speeds, it should be several, because as speeds increase your reaction time shortens and so does the force of impact
Leave a solid 1.5 to 2 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you while on the highway. When someone wants to merge into that space, let them and recreate the separation. It’s a kindness not just to those who merge into the space, but to all drivers as it makes travel for everyone safer and lower stress.
Uh, 2 car lenghts on the highway? Isn’t that… Incredibly small? Am I missing something here?
You call that leaving a gap? Going that close would be regarded as severe aggression on our Autobahn. Even punishable in many cases.
Sadly, it’s extremely common practice for folks to leave far less than even 1 car length even traveling at 60 or 70 mph. :(
I see now why it is that easy for the so-called self driving cars to produce (seemingly) good statistics.
I try to keep 2 seconds of space, but find myself encroaching cliser in traffic.
Part of the defensive driving cold war is protecting space in front of you.
it should be 1 car length per 10mph of speed. 2 car lengths isn’t enough at highway speeds, it should be several, because as speeds increase your reaction time shortens and so does the force of impact
I was taught the 3 second rule. If you drive 3 seconds behind, the space will adjust to the speed.
I was taught 2 seconds, interesting number to track.
I was taught 3 seconds in the city, 7 seconds on the highway. Always better to be extra safe.
You’re not wrong and good luck getting anyone to do that. Can you imagine how much easier/nicer/more efficent travel would be if people would do this?
Leaving gaps also prevents having to slow down or stop as often and reduces traffic congestion overall.