Many crashes are caused by following too close. Perhaps you can remember back to your Driver’s Ed class. You were probably taught that if you run into the back of another vehicle you are always at least partially at fault. At the police department we don’t assign fault in a crash. That is a term used by insurance companies. We issue citations when there has been a violation of the law.
If the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops, you should be far enough behind so that you can come to a stop safely. If you run into the back of another vehicle because you couldn’t get stopped in time, there is a very good chance you will get a citation for following too close.
Speed limits are maximum limits to be traveled only when driving conditions are ideal. Sometimes conditions may require you to drive slower than the posted speed limit allows.
When streets get slippery due to rain, snow or ice, instead of relying on the speed limit as a guide, drive at a reduced speed…one at which you’ll have your vehicle under control and be able to stop safely. When conditions are less than ideal, increase your following distance to give you more time to react, and SLOW DOWN.
A lot of these following too close crashes occur during the winter months. It seems like it takes the first good snowfall to remind drivers how to drive on winter streets again. There are two basic rules to remember: The faster you are going the longer it takes you to stop. The more slippery the streets, the longer it takes you to stop. When you add speed and slippery streets you get a recipe for disaster.
At 25 miles per hour which is the speed limit in many residential areas, in ideal conditions of summer, good tires and dry pavement it will take your car about 30 feet to stop. But on icy streets it could take you 140 feet to get stopped. That’s FOUR TIMES MORE.
At 40 miles per hour under ideal conditions it takes you about 76 feet to stop. But on icy streets it now takes you 356 feet. THAT’S OVER A CITY BLOCK!
And at 55 miles per hour under ideal conditions it takes you 144 feet to stop. But on ice you are looking at a whopping 674 feet, over TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS!
And these calculations assume the road is level. If you are going downhill as you often are when you are approaching a stop sign or intersection the stopping distances increase even more.
The best way to avoid a crash or a following too close citation is to increase your following distance and if conditions are less than ideal to SLOW DOWN.