The correct safety distance between 2 vehicles in numbers

An important factor in order to avoid a road accident is the observance of the correct safety distance between 2 vehicles. The following is a breakdown of how this can be easily calculated by a guide.

The highway code (K.O.K.) Article 19,
paragraph 2, states that:

It is imperative that the driver adjusts the speed of his vehicle by constantly taking into account the prevailing conditions, in particular the configuration of the ground, the condition and characteristics of the road, the condition and load of his vehicle, the weather and the traffic conditions, in such a way as to be able to interrupt the course of his vehicle in front of any obstacle that can be predicted and which is located in the visible from him front section of the road. It is also obliged to reduce the speed of its vehicle and, if necessary, to interrupt its course when circumstances so require.

What is considered to be the correct safety distance and what is the correct stopping distance of a vehicle?

The situation in which a driver finds himself at any given moment can vary considerably the time it takes to react properly and avoid a possible collision with some obstacles.

Time translates into vital measures to immobilize the car.

Have you ever wondered how many meters the car travels per second?

For example, if you are moving at 50 km / h you travel 13.9 meters per second, while if you are moving at 100 km / h you travel 27.8 meters per second.

But what is the right safety distance between two vehicles?

The correct safety distance between two vehicles is at least two (2) seconds or more.

However, in order to maintain the ideal safety distance as much as possible, you should keep in mind the following:

During driving, the human brain processes and sorts a wealth of information, which it receives from the environment (images, sounds, etc.).

Once the average driver encounters one or more obstacles, it takes some time to realize the danger and react.

It therefore takes extra time for the appropriate commands to be transmitted from the brain to the upper and lower extremities and to make the necessary manipulations.

From the moment the brain command is transmitted to the driver's foot to touch and press the pedal brake, there is an additional time until the full response of the vehicle's braking system.

So, if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly (panic brake),then we should have a distance at least equal (>=) to the one traveled by the car in one second with the speed it is moving at that time.

E.g.: If you are moving at 100 km / h then you are obliged to be 28 meters from the vehicle in front.

Of course this is never enough, as you have to take into account one more second (i.e. according to the above example another 28 meters),which you need from the moment you realize the danger, until the moment you press the pedal of the foot brake.

Therefore, reasonable reaction time is also required.

In total, therefore, this translates into at least two (2) seconds or based on the above example in 56 meters distance from the vehicle in front, if you want to be safe and have the right immobilization distance in order to avoid a possible traffic accident.

The above calculations for the correct stopping distance are general and do not apply in every case.

Important factors, such as the condition of the road surface, the tires and each car, vary depending on the circumstances.

The weather conditions have a primary place in the whole situation
(see Learn the 2 basic prevention measures before driving on wet roads.).

At this point it should be emphasized that the above reasonable reaction time is not always the same especially during night driving (see 5 Reasons that night driving is considered the weakest link at the wheel) or when driving under the influence of alcohol (see 5 Truths about drinking alcohol that will make you think again before you drive) where visibility is significantly reduced.

Even if the brakes of your vehicle are top-notch as well as your tires if the correct safety distance is not observed, it is almost a given that you will stop at the rear bumper of the vehicle in front.

The required braking distance is relative and depends on many factors, which during the movement of vehicles constantly change.

German scientists for research and analysis of road accidents (DEKRA one of the leading companies in matters of know-how)managed to divide the behavior of drivers into the following time phases:

– Up to 0.48 seconds is needed for the driver to perceive the danger.

– An additional 0.45 seconds is required until he moves his leg from the accelerator pedal and transfers it left to the footbrake.

– After 0.19 seconds the foot comes into contact with the footbrake and begins to press it down.

– 0.17 seconds until the car starts to brake.

Although it seems funny that whole investigations and analyses are carried out for a split second, you should take seriously into account that many times the guilt and innocence of a driver depend on them, because they are one of the most basic criteria for avoiding a road accident.

When the speed of the car doubles the stopping distance is quadrupled.

Therefore, keeping the right safety distance while driving protects you so that you do not get involved in a car accident.