AVOID TAILGATING!

Tailgating or following too closely is one of the ten worst habits of drivers who consider themselves competent. Dr. D. Shanra writes in East and West Series on how to avoid this habit.

• BY following the two second rule, you can create a safety zone between yourself and the vehicle you are following. As the car in front passes a stationary object, count one thousand and one, one thousand and two. If you pass that object before you finish the count, you are too close.

• In bad weather, extend the rule to four seconds

• Always use the 12 second visual lead time. The defensive driver should always scan the road ahead for any potential hazards as far as the point the car will reach in 12 seconds.

Source: Dhirendra Sharma
East and West Series, 2001