The 2 Second Rule - Tailgaters

Increase the following distance to reduce car insurance accident claims

The so called “fender bender” car accidents are perhaps the biggest contributor to claims from car insurance. This becomes especially evident during rainy weather on our urban roads. Why are these accidents such a big threat to vehicle safety?

When drivers follow too closely behind other vehicles, they limit their forward vision and are not able to spot potential emergencies unfolding. By the time they see the problem, it’s too late to do anything about it.



It is said that at 120km/h, the combination of a driver’s reaction time and the vehicle’s stopping distance could be as much as six seconds. Few drivers however keep an ample following distance, meaning they are unable to successfully avoid an incident like the driver ahead of them having a head-on collision.

It is advised that drivers keep at least a two to three second following distance from the cars ahead of them. This would give drivers a time cushion to swerve round someone else’s crash. A longer following distance could also allow them to use their vision creatively and to start predicting things they can’t actually see.

On the Arrive Alive website we refer to the “2 Second Rule” in a section on Following Distances and Road Safety. We would like to quote:


“The 2 Second Rule”

Most International road safety campaigns refer to the “2 Second Rule” as a guideline for safe following distances. A point on the road is noted, two seconds are counted, and if that point is still visible then there’s probably enough following distance.


The 2 Second Rule is applied as follows:

- Watch the vehicle in front of you pass a landmark – such as a sign, tree, or power pole – at the side of the road.
- As it passes the landmark, start counting “one thousand and one, one thousand and two”.
- This rule will ensure that you keep the correct following distance, no matter what speed you are travelling at.



If you pass the landmark before you finish saying all eight words, you are following too closely. Slow down, pick another landmark and repeat the words, to make sure you have increased your following distance.


The "2 second rule" helps you determine a safe following distance in ideal driving conditions. Due to slower reaction time, older drivers should use the "3 second rule".

- Pick a marker on the road ahead, such as a road sign or telephone pole
- When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two and one thousand and three"
- When the front of your car reaches the marker, stop counting


Source:
- http://carinsurance.arrivealive.co.za
- http://www.mto.gov.on.ca

Unfortunately... many people don't bother... I had my share of morons ramming into my truck for the last 2 years. Each time I will claim lots of $$$$ for repairs. There will be a few who begged for mercy before reporting them the cops.

No mercy from me... regardless if u have money or not. Accident is an accident. No shortcuts.

exactly .. example http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1800371

i remember studying about this 2 second rules when I take my undang donkeys years ago, 1996 i think

doesn't they teach this anymore?
or most of the drivers nowadays just pay the kopiO to get their license?

Yeah .. but i dont think they teach or reminding new fellow drivers about this .. i remembered the instructor explained about every single aspect or road attitudes when i attain my first driver's license back in the 1996 ..

most new drivers are not aware of this and there are some with as u said above ..

The radio announcers used to mention the 2 second rule ages ago, but nowadays they don't cos ppl have 2 second attention spans.

Eitherway, in this country, rules don't exist, only loosely enforced suggestions.

Always with stupid excuse 'eh why you brake suddenly?'

So easy to get license... a driving school quoted me RM 1.9k everything and 100% guarantee pass. Cannot read also never mind and as long u can fork out the money, guarantee pass too.

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Added on March 21, 2011, 3:58 pmScold the f***er back... "Why u didn't see my car? Blind ah? My grandpa can drive better than u!"

This post has been edited by acbc: Mar 21 2011, 03:58 PM

I usually keep 1-2 car distance depending on speed and whether im sleepy or not By the way, they still teach the 2/3 second rule in driving exam when I took my exam last April.

.. 1.9k .. the time i took my B2 and D is just RM170+

Must also include tyres and brake pad.

You will be surprised how little people know that tyres are also important for braking.

hmmm this...yea it exist..but most of the time..we all do tailgating..despite the warning..= ="...

unfortunately this 2 sec. rule cannot be apply if i drive on traffic congested road, otherwise people from behind will think that i hog the road and start to overtake because they saw the gap infront of me..

i drove fast enough so that i don't have to think about distance in front.

sleepy better pull over in safe and rest... later fallasleep

agree, this could lead to accidents and casualties

I recalled paying half the quoted cost back in 1996.

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Added on March 21, 2011, 6:51 pmBetter don't drive... if not, someone might give u an air horn... of which u will panic and lose control of the car.

This post has been edited by acbc: Mar 21 2011, 06:51 PM

you are wrong.. it's measured by time... not distance...

this shows that you phail your license and physics.

if wanna tail gate, make sure ur reflex and brakes is good...

if there's no cars in front of you and the car behind is so close to you, you are hogging the road.

i see more road hogs these days than tailgaters.