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While driving, maintaining a safe following distance can help you minimize the risk of collision. The safe following distance takes into account your reaction time as well as your braking time (the time it takes for your vehicle to fully stop after you step on the brake pedal). And when driving at high speeds, the most effective way for you to ensure a safe following distance is through applying the Four-Second-Gap Method.
What is the Four-Second-Gap Method?
Simply put, the Four-Second-Gap Method involves maintaining a distance of at least four seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Applicable at any given speed, it can help keep you, your passengers, and your well-maintained car safe while on the road.
Steps to Do the Four-Second-Gap Method
Doing the Four-Second-Gap Method is pretty easy and straightforward. To check whether you are maintaining a four-second-gap with the vehicle in front of you:
- First pick a reference point. Any unmoving object on the side of the road, such as road marking, a road sign, or a post, will do.
- When the vehicle you are following passes that reference point, start counting up to four seconds.
- Check if you are positioned by your reference point on or after four seconds.
- Adjust accordingly if you are positioned less than four seconds away. You might be too near the vehicle ahead of you.
Why Do the Four-Second-Gap Method?
Aside from keeping you safe while driving, the Four-Second-Gap Method has other advantages, including:
- A good view of all sides of the vehicle.
- Allowance for the stopping distance in case the vehicle in from makes sudden stops, even at faster speeds.
- Better maneuverability in case you want to overtaking the vehicle.
Some Things to Take Note Of
Under certain conditions, however, it may be necessary to keep more than a four-second gap with the vehicle in front of you. For example, when visibility is poor due to bad weather conditions, it is advisable to extend the gap between your own ride and the one ahead by five or six second.
Also remember that if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops, your first reaction must always be to hit the brakes. Doing so is safer than swerving or overtaking because the latter increases your chances of getting hit by the vehicle passing through the other lane.
Conclusion
By applying the Four-Second-Gap Method, you’ll be able to enjoy a safe following distance while driving, allowing you to travel safely at any given speed. So best keep this technique in mind while on the road.