Following distance

By the end of this topic you can

• You can measure your following distance using a fixed marker and a count.
• You can keep at least a two-second gap in good conditions.
• You can increase your gap for weather, darkness, heavy vehicles and motorcycles.
• You can recover space when another vehicle cuts in ahead of you.

What you need to know and understand

• Ontario's handbook gives at least two seconds as the minimum gap in ideal conditions.
• Two seconds is a minimum, not a target. Bad weather, darkness, gravel or heavy loads need more.
• You need extra space behind motorcycles and large trucks.
• A time gap works at any speed because the distance grows as you go faster.
• If someone tailgates you, increase the gap in front so you can slow gently.
• Cruise control should not be used on wet, icy or slippery roads.

Counting your gap

1. Pick a fixed object ahead, such as a sign, pole or shadow on the road.
2. When the back of the vehicle ahead passes it, start counting: one thousand and one, one thousand and two.
3. Stop counting when the front of your vehicle reaches the same object.
4. If you reach it before you finish two seconds, ease off and let the gap grow.

When two seconds is not enough

Treat two seconds as the floor. A gap of three seconds or more gives you a more comfortable margin, especially at highway speed. Add more time whenever stopping will take longer or you cannot see as well.

• Rain, snow, ice or slush on the road.
• Night driving, fog or low sun.
• Gravel or other loose surfaces.
• Following a motorcycle, which can stop very quickly.
• Following a large truck, which blocks your view of the road ahead.
• Towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load.

Space behind and beside you

You cannot control the driver behind you, but you can manage the risk. If someone is tailgating, slowly open a bigger gap ahead so you can brake early and gently. If they still crowd you, move right where it is safe and let them pass.

When a vehicle cuts in front of you, ease off the accelerator and rebuild your gap. Do not brake hard unless you have to, and do not close up to make a point.

Common mistakes

• Treating two seconds as fine in all weather. Add time when the road or visibility is poor.
• Closing the gap in slow traffic to stop others merging. Steady space helps traffic flow.
• Sitting close behind a truck, where you cannot see ahead and the driver cannot see you.
• Counting too fast. Say the full words so the count is close to real seconds.

Test yourself: Following distance

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.