New thoughts on some old business

It seems that the more I write about certain driving topics, the more you readers wish to comment on them. If the interest level is that high in these areas, then I’ll continue to give them the attention they deserve.

J.B., of Spokane, sent me some of his thoughts regarding tailgating. His predominant opinion is that if everyone were to follow the “one car length for every 10 mph” rule, no one would get home at night. He believes this would string the traffic out too far, because of the heavy traffic such as we now have on I-90 at rush-hour. J.B. concludes, “With the increase in traffic, I would submit that the one car length for every 10 mph rule is just not realistic anymore.”

J.B. also wants to remind us that, “Ultimately, if there is a problem with following too close(ly), it is the fault of the trailing car.” Right you are, J.B., and I’ve stated that as a consolation to my too-closely-followed self, but the main focus here is to avoid accidents.

Right you are also, about the obsolescence of that old following distance rule, except not in the way that you think. Newer thought, along with some applied arithmetic, shows that following at a distance of one car length for every 10 mph is not sufficient.

First, experts agree that using car lengths as a measure of distance is a difficult concept to visualize. Second, using 18 feet as an average car length, six car lengths, or 108 feet is not enough following distance for 60 mph. Not including reaction time, (which itself eats up about 130 feet), stopping from this speed takes about 150 feet.

Since maintaining a following distance based on car lengths is not easy, the latest recommendation from safety and legislative agencies is to use the “two-second-plus” rule, where you follow another vehicle leaving a space that takes you over 2 seconds to cover. The Washington Driver Guide takes this concept a step further by suggesting a “four second” rule. When following another vehicle, pick out a stationary object, and start counting the seconds (one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, etc.) when the followed vehicle passes the object. If you reach the object before 4 seconds (according to the Guide), or about 3 seconds (according to me and other experts), then you are too close to handle an emergency. In any case, fewer than 2 seconds (176 feet) is unsafe.

At 60 mph, your vehicle travels 88 feet per second. A 3-second following distance therefore translates to 264 feet — a following distance that should accommodate an alert driver, with good reaction time and a well-maintained vehicle, in an emergency situation. If you are especially subject to distraction, try using Washington’s suggestion of 4 seconds (352 feet) when following another vehicle at freeway speeds.

Now let me know what you think about this comment from J.B., which he uses as an example of how Seattle drivers are better than Spokane drivers. He says, “In Seattle, if you need to make a lane change, you signal your intent and the driver in the next lane backs off enough to allow you to move over. This, as opposed to Spokane drivers who — we’ve all experienced — will actually speed up to KEEP you from changing lanes.”

I think that Seattle drivers may be more adroit when it comes to driving in heavy traffic, and that they’ve become that way out of necessity and practice. Do you find a difference in drivers at the opposite sides of Washington?

That road rage subject continues to rear its ugly head on too-regular basis also, and discussion of it will go on as long as there are cars and drivers (tailgating is often the instigator). If you often feel angry and stressed on the roadways, here is a reading list of books to pick from:

•”Road Rage and Aggressive Driving”; Leon James and Diane Nahl

•”Bullies Behind the Wheel”; John A Larson

•”Road Rage to Road Wise”; David Willis

•”Steering Clear of Highway Madness”; John A Larson

•”Road Rage Off Ramp”; Shea Salyer

•”Road Rage! Stress Therapy For Driving”; Jake O’Mally and Blake O’Mally

•”The Peaceful Driver”; Allen Liles

•”Zen Driving”; K.T. Berger

Speaking of Zen, a 23-year UPS driving veteran says that’s what he calls good driving behavior. Zen, or what he believes most would call common sense, is a good model for vehicle operation. This commercial driver touts many of the same driving basics that I do: concentrate on the moment, know where you are and what is around you, realize that driving is an important task, try to keep room on all four sides, and above all focus on the task at hand — DRIVING!