The Rule of Seconds – Calculating Safe Following Distances
If you’re driving below 40 mph, the rule of seconds says you should keep at least one second of distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length. A truck driver cruising in a longer, heavier vehicle will need more space and time, and if you’re in an SUV, you may want to add another second.
Here’s how to apply the Rule of Seconds:
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident, and they happen when drivers don’t have enough time to react safely to slowing or stopped traffic. Follow the rule of seconds to give yourself more space and safety; it’s as simple as 1-2-3.
What is the minimum distance between a car and a truck?
Using the three-second rule, always leave at least three seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you, and even more in bad weather.
How much distance should you have between you and a large truck?
Large trucks require more space between vehicles to allow for safe braking and unexpected actions, and large trucks are more likely to collide with the vehicle in front of them in crashes. Did You Know? If you’re driving below 40 mph, you should leave at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length.
How many feet does an 18 wheeler need to stop?
How long does it take a semi-truck to come to a complete stop at 60 mph on a clear day? A fully loaded tractor-trailer will take approximately 370 feet to come to a complete stop at 60 mph on a clear day, which is more than a football field.
What should your minimum following distance be from a large semi truck when you are going 45 mph?
For example, if you’re going less than 35 mph, a two-second cushion should suffice; if your speed increases to 35 to 45 mph, a three-second cushion should suffice; and if you’re going 46 to 70 mph, a four-second cushion should suffice.
How many car lengths is 2 seconds?
Because vehicle sizes (and people’s depth perception) vary widely, the two-second rule is equivalent to one vehicle length for every 5 MPH of current speed. It’s preferable to use seconds instead of feet or car lengths to gauge safe distances.
How many car lengths is a safe distance?
The rule of thumb is to keep a three-second following distance, which gives you enough time to react and avoid potentially dangerous situations. You can calculate this by measuring the distance between you and a fixed object, such as a pole or an overpass.
How do you calculate safe driving distance?
The two-second rule, which states that you should stay a full two seconds behind the car in front of you, regardless of speed, is the easiest and quickest way to calculate a safe following distance (the amount of distance between you and the car ahead of you).
What is the formula for stopping distance?
Stopping distance = reaction distance braking distance The stopping distance is made up of the reaction distance and the braking distance, with the decisive variable for calculating all three distances being the motorcycle rider’s speed.
How many feet does it take to stop at 65 mph?
Braking distance is the time it takes for your vehicle to come to a complete stop after applying the brakes; at 65 mph, it takes an additional 5.5 seconds or 525 feet of actual brake application to come to a complete stop.
What are a truck’s blind spots called?
No Zones are the areas around trucks where your car is no longer visible or where you are so close that the truck can’t stop or maneuver safely; in either case, you are in a much higher risk of colliding.
What is a safe following distance?
The “3 second rule” is useful because it helps you maintain a safe following-distance at any speed; in fact, using the “3 second rule” gives you a larger following-distance the faster you drive. In rain, fog, or on icy roads, you should allow more than a 3 second following-distance.
What is the first thing a driver should do after deciding to make a turn?
To make a left turn, you must first stop at the stop line, ensure that you do not block pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles moving on their green light, and then make the turn. If the street has a left turn lane, you must use it.
How many feet is a safe following distance?
If you’re driving below 40 mph, the rule of seconds says you should keep at least one second of distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length; if you’re going faster, add another second. A truck driver cruising in a longer, heavier vehicle will need more space and time.