While two seconds is certainly a safer following distance than directly tailgating, just a second or less behind the next vehicle, it is not necessarily far enough. It is somewhat of an outdated rule of thumb, and modern drivers are actually encouraged to leave at least three seconds between vehicles.
Maintaining this type of following distance is simple. Drivers should just periodically count off three seconds after the vehicle ahead of them passes a stationary point. The exact physical distance that is needed will depend on the speed the vehicles are traveling at the time, so it is going to be different on a city street than it would be on the interstate. But as long as drivers are consistently paying attention, they can avoid tailgating.
Why is three seconds needed?
The biggest issue that law enforcement notes is that there is roughly a 1.5-second delay for the rear driver to hit the brakes. That is why two seconds is just cutting the margins a bit too thin, whereas three seconds gives people more time to react.
This 1.5-second delay can be divided into two significant parts. First of all, the driver has to see the vehicle ahead of them start slowing down and realize that they need to brake in return. It is just inherently true that they cannot brake at the exact same moment as the driver ahead of them. It takes time.
Next, that driver still has to push the brake pedal down. This may require them to move their foot from the gas to the brake. While this does seem to happen almost instantly, it really takes another 0.75 seconds.
Have you been involved in a rear-end accident?
Unfortunately, many people accidentally tailgate and fail to maintain a safe following distance. If you have been involved in an accident that one of these drivers caused, take the time to carefully consider all of your legal options to seek financial compensation.
