One important thing to do when driving is to maintain a safe following distance at all times. Remember that it takes about half a second to react to changing traffic conditions. You cannot stop immediately, so you need a gap between vehicles to give yourself a buffer.
Ideally, this should be around three seconds. However, you also need to take various factors into account. If visibility is reduced, for instance, it may be wise to increase your following distance. The same applies when driving on wet or slick roads—four or five seconds may be more appropriate in some situations.
How do you measure it?
The benefit of measuring your following distance in seconds is that it is easy to track. Simply pay attention to the vehicle ahead of you and note when it passes a cross street or a road sign. Count the seconds in your head, and as long as you do not pass the same point before three seconds have elapsed, you have a safe following distance.
One thing to remember is that drivers are always required to maintain a proper following distance so they can stop safely in an emergency. This is why the rear driver is typically responsible in a rear-end collision. Unless there is evidence that the front driver intentionally caused the crash—such as by brake-checking the rear driver—they are unlikely to be found liable.
Unfortunately, even if you drive safely, other drivers frequently tailgate. If you are injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, take the time to explore your options for seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
