Keeping a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them is vital. This distance will ensure the driver can predict risks early on and take necessary actions to evade them.

It is essential not to tailgate, as it leaves enough space in front of your car to stop urgently.

2-second rule

A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you to gain visibility around the car ahead. It gives you enough space to stop suddenly. Remember that the two-second rule provides a minimum with the following distance. It applies only to ideal driving conditions. You will need extra space in certain situations, such as bad weather conditions like rain, fog, and night-time driving. You are behind a large truck or a motorcycle, following motorcycles or large trucks, or carrying a heavy load.

New or learner drivers usually struggle to keep good safety margins compared to experienced drivers. Novice drivers have more difficulty maintaining a safe distance between their vehicle and the one ahead. As a learner driver, you must always consider your safety, any passengers you may be carrying, and other road users.

You can drastically reduce your chances of being involved in a road traffic incident by knowing about safety margins and the potential consequences if you don't abide by them. As a learner driver, you mustn't get in the habit of coasting, which means driving while the car is in neutral or with the clutch pressed down entirely – resulting in less control over your vehicle.

Safe time margins refer to what a driver should leave between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. This time margin gives drivers enough time to react to changes in the driving environment, such as sudden braking, a turn or a pedestrian crossing the road. A driver should always leave a safe time margin to prevent accidents caused by tailgating.

The 2-second rule is a standard method to determine a safe time margin. It involves choosing a fixed object, such as a sign, on the side of the road and waiting for the vehicle in front of you to pass it. Then, the driver should count the seconds it takes for their vehicle to pass the same fixed object. If the time is less than 2 seconds, the driver is likely following too closely and should increase the following distance.

Maintaining a safe time margin helps prevent accidents caused by tailgating and allows drivers to respond to unexpected situations. The 2-second rule is a general guideline, and drivers should adjust their following distance based on the road and weather conditions. For example, drivers should increase their following distance in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or heavy traffic.