Driver Safety: Following Distance

By Senior Loss Control Specialist Jonathan Lee

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of vehicle accidents, and tailgating is one of the leading complaints of driver behavior, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

What can you do?

• Maintain a proper following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

What is the ideal following distance?

• At least four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.
• Approximately 7-10 seconds in inclement weather or if driving a large vehicle.

How do you calculate following distance?

• Choose a fixed object (sign, tree, light pole, etc.) and start counting when you see the vehicle ahead of you pass it. If you pass the object in less than four seconds, slow down! This can greatly reduce your chance of being in an accident.