📏 Safety Distance - The Three Second Rule

Keeping the right distance to the vehicle ahead can save lives. It gives you time to react.

Three second rule: The simplest method for maintaining safe distance:

1. Choose a fixed point (sign, pole, marking)
2. When car ahead passes the point, start counting
3. "One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three"
4. You should reach the point AFTER saying "one thousand three"

Why three seconds?

• 1 second = reaction time (brain perceives danger)
• 2 seconds = braking time begins
• 3 seconds = safety margin

Increase distance when:

• Rain, snow or slippery (at least 6 seconds)
• Poor visibility (fog, darkness)
• High speed
• Heavy load
• Driving behind motorcycle/bicycle
• If you're tired

Distance in meters:

• 50 km/h → about 30 meters (3 car lengths)
• 70 km/h → about 40 meters
• 90 km/h → about 50 meters
• 110 km/h → about 60 meters

When someone drives too close behind you:

• Don't get irritated
• Increase your distance ahead (extra safety margin)
• Brake earlier and softer
• Let them pass if possible

Common mistakes:

• Reducing distance in queues = dangerous!
• Staring at car ahead instead of traffic
• Forgetting to adjust in bad weather

Remember: Distance costs nothing but can save your life. You'll arrive just as fast anyway.