The Safe Following Distance Rule Explained
It is never a good idea to ignore the safe following distance rule. Following another vehicle too closely won’t get you there faster, might get you a ticket, and could mean liability for an accident.
The most recent Texas Driver’s Handbook says drivers need to stay at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead when going 30 mph or less and 4 seconds behind for speeds over 30 mph – assuming good road conditions.
- 2 second rule: 30 mph or less when driving in good conditions
- 4 second rule: Speeds OVER 30mph
More time (distance) should be allowed if road conditions are less than ideal or drivers lack experience.
How to Measure Driving Distance
Driving distance can be roughly measured by counting 1001, 1002 …, beginning when:
- the car in front passes a fixed object and;
- ending when your car passes the same object.
The Faster You Drive, The Larger the Following Distance You Need (Reaction Times and Maintaining a Safe Distance)
The handbook emphasizes that following distances need to increase as speeds increase. This is because stopping distances increase with speed.
For instance, a passenger car going 50 mph will need 229 feet to stop.
A passenger car traveling 70 mph needs 387 feet to stop.
Stopping distances include the feet traveled during the 1 to 1.5 seconds it takes the average driver to realize the situation and react by taking evasive maneuvers or braking.
A car going 50 mph will travel 110 feet before the driver responds. A car going 70 mph will have gone another 154 feet before the driver can take any action.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) suggests drivers maintain one car’s length distance between cars for every 10 mph of traveling speed.
The bottom line:
Following another vehicle too closely significantly increases the chances of accidents. Allowing a for proper following distance between vehicles gives drivers the ability to avoid accidents.
What Texas Statutes Say about Safe Following Distances (Assured Clear Distance)
What Texas Statutes Say about Safe Following Distances (Assured Clear Distance)The Texas Transportation Code advises the state’s drivers of the Rules of the Road in Chapter 545. Section 545.062 addresses the vehicle following distance.
When following another vehicle, a driver must maintain an “assured clear distance” between the two vehicles.
The statute gives no appropriate distance or manner for calculating an appropriate distance.
However, here is what an assured clear distance means:
An assured clear distance is the amount of space that would be necessary under the circumstances to allow a following driver to safely stop without hitting the vehicle ahead or any other vehicle, person, or object.
The assured clear stopping distance in any situation will depend on an assessment by a driver (or a police officer) that there is enough space.
Factors that Affect the Determination of an Assured Clear Distance
There are no absolutes when it comes to safe following distances. What may be a safe following distance when driving on a straight road in good weather conditions may not be a safe distance on a winding road in bad weather at night.
Vehicle size and weight, as well as driver capability and experience, are also relevant when determining a safe following distance.
The following factors should always be given consideration when determining an appropriate following distance:
- Weather – Weather conditions can affect visibility as well as the operation of a vehicle.
- Vehicle Speed – The faster a vehicle is moving, the longer it takes to stop.
- Traffic Conditions – When there is heavy traffic, it’s always safest to give everyone plenty of space.
- Vehicle Size – Following large vehicles can obscure visibility ahead, and truck drivers have blind spots that prevent them from seeing smaller vehicles that follow too closely.
- Motorcycles and Bicycles – Extra distance is recommended because riders of motorcycles and bicycles can easily separate from their vehicles and have little protection from road conditions or traffic.
- Driver Condition/Experience – Fatigue, illness, or lack of experience might affect a driver’s ability to safely respond to traffic situations making larger following distances advisable.
- Vehicle Condition/Operation – If a vehicle has particular operating conditions or limitations, an increased following distance may be necessary.
How the Safe Following Distance Rule is Enforced
Following too closely is a minor traffic violation in Texas.
A driver can be legally stopped and issued a citation if a law enforcement officer determines the driver was following too closely behind another vehicle.
However, for the charges to stick, the citing officer must be able to give “specific articulable facts” that support a reasonable suspicion the cited driver was following another vehicle too closely.
The Safe Following Distance Rule for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers
When it comes to commercial motor vehicles (CMV), following too closely means not being able to avoid a collision if the vehicle ahead were to brake suddenly says the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). About 5% of CMV crashes are the result of following too closely.
If you are being followed by a large truck or commercial vehicle, you want to make sure there is plenty of room between the larger vehicle and you.
Trucks need more room to maneuver or safely stop than passenger vehicles. A loaded tractor-trailer truck going 55 mph needs 196 feet to stop – about 65 more than a passenger vehicle.
Under ideal driving conditions, the FMCSA advises leaving one second of the distance between vehicles for every 10 feet of CMV length for speeds under 40 mph.
One additional second should be added for speeds over 40 mph.
Following distances should be doubled when driving conditions are not favorable because of weather or other hazard. The necessary braking distance for trucks can be greatly affected by road surface conditions.
Why Does Following Distance Matter?
In 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported there were 21,215 motor vehicle crashes statewide, where ‘following too closely’ was listed as a contributing factor.
Vehicles that follow other vehicles too closely limit their ability to efficiently detect and safely respond to unexpected road hazards.
What You Should (and Should Not) Do When Being Tailgated by Another Driver
What You Should (and Should Not) Do When Being Tailgated by Another DriverStay calm if you feel someone is following your vehicle too closely.
Keep your vehicle speed steady and brake slowly if you need to adjust your speed. As soon as practicable, safely move to another lane or pull over and allow the tailgating vehicle to pass. If the vehicle persists with tailgating, you may need to call 911.
Don’t respond to the tailgater in anger or let the person’s behavior influence your driving. The goal is to avoid an accident (or unpleasant incident), and the best strategy is not to do anything to escalate the other driver’s behavior.
Is a Driver Following Too Closely Always Responsible for a Rear-end Car Accident?
While a driver who is following another vehicle too closely can be liable for a rear-end collisions, liability is not automatic. Liability will depend on what caused the crash.
If you have been injured in a rear-end car accident, the Houston car accident lawyers at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. will go to work to obtain the compensation you are legally entitled to receive. Our personal injury attorneys are skilled at representing car accident victims legal rights. Call now to schedule a free consultation.