Don’t Get Too Close: Following Distance On The Highway

One of the biggest challenges in driving is to keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. By keeping enough space, you are protecting both yourself and others around you on the road from a potentially dangerous accident. Here are 3 tips for maintaining a safe following distance on the highway. 

1. Don’t be a tailgater.

Tailgaters are the most annoying part about driving on the highway. Don’t be one of them! If you cannot see the wheels of the car in front of you over your own hood, you are following way too closely. Not only does this make it incredibly difficult to brake quickly enough to avoid an accident, but it’s also illegal. Additionally, road rage is nothing to play around with, so it’s best to avoid provoking other drivers by riding their tails too closely.

2. Follow the 4-second rule.

On average, a large vehicle can maintain a safe following distance by practicing the 4-second rule. Pick a stationary object up ahead – a road sign, a tree, or even a piece of tire on the shoulder of the highway. Then, count the number of seconds in between when the car in front of you passes that object and when your vehicle passes the same object.

If you can count at least 4 seconds between the two, you are far enough away. If you count less than 4 seconds, create more distance by slowing down. In the event that the driver in front of you touches their brakes, you’re going to be able to stop in enough time if you’re far enough behind them. Following this rule will prevent any careless accidents and keep everyone safe.

3. Factor in weather conditions.

In clear conditions, following the 4-second rule is enough to make sure you are driving safely. However, if the weather conditions are rainy or messy, it’s a good idea to increase the space between you and the car in front of you. In particularly messy weather such as thunderstorms or snow, if the roads are slick, double your following distance. Slick roads make it more difficult to slow down completely; it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry. 

At Wave Express, your safety is our biggest priority. We hope that these tips will help keep you safe and aware on your next road trip. Safe travels!