Keeping space

You must always try to keep space:

• Between your vehicle and the vehicle in front     - 2 seconds
• Between your vehicle and the vehicle behind      - 2 seconds
• Between your vehicle and anything to the sides  - 1 metre

Keep a "Safety Bubble" around your vehicle at all times. This gives you time to react if any other traffic moves or brakes suddenly, or if animals or pedestrians cross your path unexpectedly. See the diagram below.

If the vehicle behind is travelling too close to you, increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. This extra space ahead will let you bring on your brake lights earlier without actually slowing down too severely, allowing the driver behind more time to slow down before you have to.

Persistent tail-gaters are a danger. The best way to deal with them is to indicate left, slow down and let them pass.

Tips

• Maintain a 1 metre gap when passing parked cars or other obstructions
• Maintain a 1 metre gap to the right of your car
• Avoid driving too close to the middle of the road
• Avoid driving in another driver's blind spot
• Avoid driving alongside another vehicle
• Keep the "Tyres and Tarmac" space in queues of stationary traffic
• Use the SCALP rule when parking
• Choose your stopping position in queues sensibly - avoiding pedestrain crossings, access to junctions, businesses, etc.