Vehicle Stopping Distance
Following distance is the space between the back of a vehicle and the front of the following vehicle in traffic.
Following distance is the space between the back of a vehicle and the front of the following vehicle in traffic.
In the Australian state of New South Wales, 3 seconds of following distance is recommended. [1] In Queensland, [2] Victoria, [3] and Western Australia, [4] 2 seconds is recommended.
In the European Union, the two-second rule is recommended, and in some European countries there are penalties for maintaining lower distances. [5]
In the European Union, the term "failing to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front" is used in the Directive (EU) 2015/413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 facilitating cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences. In this directive "failing to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front" means not maintaining sufficient distance from the vehicle in front, as defined in the law of the Member State of the offence. [6]
In the UK, it is recommended that 2 seconds of following distance is maintained. [7]
In the US, for safety it is recommended that 3-4 seconds of following distance is maintained. [8] Extra time should be added for wet, rainy, slippery, foggy or other weather situations accordingly. [9] For heavy duty commercial vehicles it is recommended 4-6 seconds following distance for speeds under 30 mi/h (48 km/h), and 6-8 seconds following distance for speeds over 30 mi/h (48 km/h). [10] Rear-end collisions are the number one type of traffic collisions. [11]