XI. FOLLOWING AND STOPPING DISTANCE
Stopping distance
Never get too close to the vehicle in front. Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can stop safely if the vehicle in front slows down or stops suddenly.
The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance as shown in the table below On wet roads the gap should be much more. Slow down if an overtaking vehicle fills the gap in front of you.
The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance as shown in the table below On wet roads the gap should be much more. Slow down if an overtaking vehicle fills the gap in front of you.
Stopping Distance
| Speed | Thinking distance | Braking distance | Overall stopping distance |
| (Km/h) | (Metre) | (Metre) | (Metre) |
| 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 40 | 10 | 12 | 22 |
| 60 | 16 | 30 | 46 |
| 80 | 22 | 50 | 72 |
| 100 | 27 | 65 | 92 |
NOTE: Stopping distance increases greatly with wet and slippery road, poor brake, bad tyres and tired drivers with low speed reacting time (Distance given above are approximate).
A Simple Way to Keep Safe Distance
To provide a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. you should always apply the following simple rule known as the "TWO SECOND RULE".
Two Second Rule
Choose a stationary object in front of the vehicle ahead of you near or above the road, like a road sign, tree or overpass, any convenient object will do. As the vehicle ahead passes it recite slowly:
"Staying too close or trailing for safety". If you reach the same object before you finish reciting. you are following too closely. Slow down and let the vehicle move further away ahead of you.
Some wise drivers actually prefer the "three second rule" and they add:
"Playing it Safel". When weather conditions are bad, you are strongly urged to add the extra jingle:
"Safer and Sane". For extra distance, that is, adopt the "four- second rule". Memorise these simple jingles. Try it out.
NOTE:
"Staying too close or trailing for safety". If you reach the same object before you finish reciting. you are following too closely. Slow down and let the vehicle move further away ahead of you.
Some wise drivers actually prefer the "three second rule" and they add:
"Playing it Safel". When weather conditions are bad, you are strongly urged to add the extra jingle:
"Safer and Sane". For extra distance, that is, adopt the "four- second rule". Memorise these simple jingles. Try it out.
NOTE:
- It takes approximately two seconds to recite any three word phrase. It is unsafe to select very short words.
- The safe gap between your vehicle and the one in front depends on the relative speed between the two vehicles.
Beware of Heavier Vehicles
It is obvious that smaller vehicles stand greater risks on collision with larger vehicles such as articulated Lorries (or "trailers'), tankers, "luxury buses" and other heavier trucks and vans.
You must know that heavier vehicles are more difficult to control and their ability to stop or manoeuvre is greatly hampered by weight of load conveyed.
You must know that heavier vehicles are more difficult to control and their ability to stop or manoeuvre is greatly hampered by weight of load conveyed.
Avoid the "No Contest" Encounter
ou are urged to note the large weight differential or disparity between cars and heavy trucks and buses.
A typical laden 'trailer" weighs 30 to 40 metric tonnes and a fully loaded 'luxury bus' weighs some 10 to 20 metric tonnes with full load.
It is a scientific fact that when it comes to a collision, a "trailer" for instance, travelling at a speed of 50km per hour has the same destructive effect as a Peugeot Saloon car travelling at 250km/hr.
No wonder the smaller vehicle usually gets shredded and its driver and passengers mangled on impact when collision occurs.
A typical laden 'trailer" weighs 30 to 40 metric tonnes and a fully loaded 'luxury bus' weighs some 10 to 20 metric tonnes with full load.
It is a scientific fact that when it comes to a collision, a "trailer" for instance, travelling at a speed of 50km per hour has the same destructive effect as a Peugeot Saloon car travelling at 250km/hr.
No wonder the smaller vehicle usually gets shredded and its driver and passengers mangled on impact when collision occurs.