driver-qualification-handbook-english

3These distances can seem large, especially compared with the gaps other driversleave in front of them. This might tell you something about why rear-end crashesare so common for experienced drivers. You can remind yourself that the large gapyou are leaving in front of you helps to make you a more skillful and safer driverthan many others.Key points summary: Keeping a safe followingdistance• The faster you drive, the longer the distance you need to stop.• Use the ‘three-second gap’ to keep a safe distance – increase this to foursecondsor more when it is dark, wet, foggy or icy.• Scan well ahead – look through the windows of the vehicles ahead and watchfor brake lights coming on two, three or more vehicles ahead.TipsYou may find it is difficult to keep a three second following distancein heavy traffic – other drivers may move into the gap that you leave. Thiscan be annoying, but try to maintain a three second following distanceanyway.Driver qualification handbook 85