Focus on Close Following
Driving too close to the vehicle in front is one of the most common driving faults.
Surveys conducted as part of National Motorway Month found that over one quarter of drivers on motorways follow the vehicle in front too closely. On some motorways, over half of drivers were following too closely.
The Highway Code shows stopping distances from various speeds between 20 mph and 70 mph.
The overall stopping distance of a vehicle comprises the reaction (or thinking) time (during which the driver realises s/he has to stop and transfers his or her foot to the brake pedal) and the braking distance (the distance covered before the brakes bring the vehicle to a complete stop).
For example, a driver travelling at 30 mph who decides s/he has to stop, will travel about 9 metres (29' 6") before they even begin to brake. Their car will travel a further 14 metres (45' 11") before coming to a halt – a total of 23 metres (75' 5") from the moment the driver decides to stop. This assumes a reaction speed of about 0.7 seconds. A less alert driver will take longer to react and therefore cover more distance before even beginning to brake.
Poor visibility means drivers may not see hazards early enough to slow down or stop safely.
The braking distances in the Highway Code also assume a braking deceleration of about 6.5 metres per second squared (6.5m/s2), but again this could be affected by poorly adjusted brakes, worn tyres or the amount of pressure the driver puts on the brake pedal. The road surface is also critical. The stopping distances in the Highway Code are based on a dry road – on wet or icy roads, the braking distance is much greater.
Further Information
| www.rospa.com/roadsafety |
| www.stoppingdistances.org.uk |
| www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk |
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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