Bumper Huggers
- By Doug Coleman
- Published 02/11/2008
Doug Coleman
I like simplicity. I write about simple things like easy (simple) time management and customer service without slogans, just good sense. I enjoy auto racing, opera, jazz, puppies, and sunsets. There's nothing better than a glass of wine watching a brilliant sunset listening to Oscar Peterson's piano. Life is good.
During my 20 mile drive to work this morning, I was struck by the number of drivers who were following the car in front of them too closely. Seeing these crashes waiting to happen, I thought back over the hundreds of trips I have made over these same highways and realized that the crash scenes I've observed were mostly rear-end collisions. There is absolutely no excuse for one driver crashing into the rear of another driver - none. When these cars come together, the result is not an "accident," it is caused by carelessness.
How close is too close? Some experts claim that you should allow one second of distance for every 10 miles per hour of your speed. In other words, at 40 miles per hour, allow the car in front of you to pass a fixed point and count "one thousand one" and so on until you reach "one thousand four" as you pass the
same fixed point. This four second distance will give you time to apply brakes or change lanes or make other decisions in an emergency situation.
Have you stopped in traffic and looked in your rear-view mirror and seen only the hood and windshield of the car behind you? This is too close. When you stop behind a stopped car, you should be able to see the rear tires and the pavement under the tires. If you can't, you;re too close.
I've seen speeding cars rush up to a clump of traffic and hug a bumper in what looks like an attempt to emotionally push the next car out of the way. What's the point?
Following too closely is dangerous and unnecessary. Trying to gain a few seconds in a morning commute is putting too many lives at risk. Remember the physics law: A body (your car) in motion tends to remain in motion (usually beyond where you want to stop if you're following to closely).
How close is too close? Some experts claim that you should allow one second of distance for every 10 miles per hour of your speed. In other words, at 40 miles per hour, allow the car in front of you to pass a fixed point and count "one thousand one" and so on until you reach "one thousand four" as you pass the
Have you stopped in traffic and looked in your rear-view mirror and seen only the hood and windshield of the car behind you? This is too close. When you stop behind a stopped car, you should be able to see the rear tires and the pavement under the tires. If you can't, you;re too close.
I've seen speeding cars rush up to a clump of traffic and hug a bumper in what looks like an attempt to emotionally push the next car out of the way. What's the point?
Following too closely is dangerous and unnecessary. Trying to gain a few seconds in a morning commute is putting too many lives at risk. Remember the physics law: A body (your car) in motion tends to remain in motion (usually beyond where you want to stop if you're following to closely).
