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Confusion over what is a "safe following distance" has QUT [(Queensland University of Technology)] road safety researchers calling for a standardised definition to prevent tailgating.
- Tailgating conclusively linked to rear-end crashes
- Most drivers leave less than a 2 second gap between them and the vehicle in front
- Rear-enders account for one in five Queensland crashes
Dr Sebastien Demmel, from QUT's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety -- Queensland (CARRS-Q), said the results of the study which found 50 per cent of drivers tailgate, was being presented at the 2017 Australasian Road Safety Conference in Perth today.
"This study, for the first time conclusively linked tailgating with rear-end crashes, but we also identified confusion among drivers over what is deemed to be a safe following distance," he said.
"Despite drivers perceiving they are following at a safe distance, our on-road data showed that in reality most don't leave the recommended two to three second gap," he said.
"At some locations 55 per cent of drivers were found to leave less than a two second gap between them and the vehicle in front, and 44 per cent less than a one second [gap]."
A safe following distance is 5 feet. While looking at a smartphone.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Friday October 13 2017, @08:12AM
Probably because those numbers don't exist. I've looked. You can find lots of claims, but those are usually speculative (and politically motivated) and aren't comparing the same traffic mix on the same roads.
Mostly what you find is that the improvement in automobiles reduces accidents and highway deaths to such a great degree that an increase of speed limits from 75 to 80 has zero measurable effect.
Try that 80mph in a 50-60's era car and you would see a lot more accidents, and a lot more deadly ones. Those cars were hanging on for dear life at 80. Modern cars drive at 80 like your doing 45.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.