Following distance. The “3 second rule”

This simple rule applies at any speed and is easy to use. Here's how. All you need to do when driving is watch the vehicle in front of you pass an object at the side of the road such as a power pole, tree or sign. As it passes the object, start counting “one thousand and one, one thousand and two”. If you pass the object you picked out before you finish saying all the words, you are following too closely. Slow down, pick another roadside object and repeat the words again to make sure that you have increased your following distance enough.

What's good about the “3 second rule” is that it helps you keep a safe following-distance at any speed.

Using the "3 second rule" gives you a bigger following-distance the faster you drive. Generally speaking, you should allow more than a 3 second following-distance in rain, fog and on icy roads. You should also use a longer following-distance at night because it's harder to judge distances and spot hazards when driving in the dark.

Read more: www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/the-hazard-perception-test