Crazy Accident
I just wanted to relate an incident that happened to me a couple of years ago. There's another post about an accident that made me think about this one. I was towing a travel trailer down I-65 a...
Forum Discussion
captnjack wrote:toedtoes wrote:
If folks followed the 3 second rule, everyone could merge without forcing others to stop - period. Those jams that happen at the merge point wouldn't happen because every merging car would have enough room to merge into the other lane and no car in the other lane would have to slam on their brakes to avoid a collision.
As long as folks ride each others bumpers in stop and go traffic, we will never have smooth merging.
And, NO, the 3 second rule doesn't get you there any later than riding bumpers.
What exactly IS the three second rule?
The three second rule, usually known as the 2, 4, or 6 second rule allows you to easily and accurately determine the proper following distance instead of trying to compute one car length for each 10 mph(as was taught back in the 50's).
Simply put you should have 2 seconds of following distance (regardless of your speed), on dry pavement, 4 on wet pavement and 6 if snow or ice are present. Watch the vehicle ahead of you and count off 2 full seconds (one thousand, two thousand, Mississippi, whatever),when they pass a particular point such as a shadow, lane marking or signpost. If you have the proper following distance you will not reach that point before the full 2, 4 or 6 seconds have passed.
This method will generate one vehicle length per 10 mph of following distance easily and accurately. Some folks use the 3 second rule and that only enhances/increases you following distance which is usually a good idea.
:C
