And don't answer: your afraid you're going to get car jacked.
2006-12-16 16:09:33 · 15 answers · asked by Scotchy 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
You should stop so that you can see the tires of the car ahead of you making contact with the road. That way, if you get rear-ended, you don't hit the car in front of you. Also, if you are slowing down to stop further back, you have a little more room for error. Finally, if you are too close, you may not be able to pull out if the car in front of you stalls...
2006-12-17 04:25:14 · answer #1 · answered by merigold00 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure 20 feet is an exaggeration... however it's safer to keep ONE car length of space between cars when at a stop light. Like others have said, if someone rear ends you, then you have more room in front of you and are more likely NOT going to hit the other car. This has happened to me, and I was too close to the car in front of me, and I did hit that car, therefore causing a 3 car accident. What a wreck (pun intended). So be safe, and you dont have to tailgate, cuz frankly it pisses people off anyway.
2006-12-16 19:14:12 · answer #2 · answered by C. M. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I occasional see a car stop way back, but it is usually an older driver. I haven't noticed a lot of drivers stopping that far back. Most stop at an appropriate distance. Some come close enough to almost touch bumpers. I think it's just they way they drive. If a driver seems to be doing a poor job of staying between the lines or other difficulities, I try to give them lots of room. This isn't very often.
2006-12-16 16:21:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can't see the road under the bumper of the car in front of you, you are too close. The closer someone sits behind my car the more room I leave in front. If you get hit from behind you will hit the person in front if you don't leave that space. I can't believe how many people don't know that. Some intersections during rush hour over 75% of the cars are too close for safety.
2006-12-16 18:03:18 · answer #4 · answered by Fred C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
20feet sound alot. That is like not really the optimise distance.
I think there should be space for other vehicle just incase any misfortunate thing happened but not 20feet.
Not sure of the correct distance to be away from the front vehicle. But the correct method should be able to see the base of the rear wheel of the vehicle infront. But of cos with a correct driving posture and not like those girl that sit just right behind their steering and with their face almost sticking to the screen. Can't do a good judgement with that type of sitting posture.
2006-12-16 16:43:41 · answer #5 · answered by vampool 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some of us are afraid of being rear ended. The space gives me some wiggle room and a breaking space. Once there are a few cars behind me I will close up the space.
2006-12-16 16:19:26 · answer #6 · answered by jimmiv 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
think about it if someone rear ends you, going to fast its going to project you forward and make you rear end the car in front of you. This way here if you are back 20-ft it gives you room to keep from hitting the car in front of you. Do you want a ticket for following to closely? think about it..
2006-12-16 16:23:04 · answer #7 · answered by ompie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For several reasons, its good driving practice to leave a little room between your vehicle and the one in front of you when stopping in traffic. First and most important; should you have a need to change lanes and go around the vehicle you're stopped behind, if you've left a little space between you and the vehicle in front of you, you can execute this maneuver without backing up first. Secondly, if you are "rear-ended" while you are stopped in traffic, if you've left a little extra space to the front you might be able to avoid striking the vehicle in front of you in a chain reaction. Note the professional drivers around you in traffic. They mostly always try to maintain space between themselves and vehicles in front of them for these reasons. Drive safe.
2006-12-16 16:29:42 · answer #8 · answered by trucktrout 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they are right on your bumper and they get whacked from behind, they would smack you too.
It is just a precaution in case they do get bumped, at least the damage will only be to their rear end. Which by the way is a heck of lot better than getting whacked at both ends.
It just gives them a fighting chance to avoid it.
2006-12-16 16:26:12 · answer #9 · answered by Gnome 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They watch to many cop shows! But the police do this as way to to get around the car ahead if they get a call. They also try not to have anyone stop beside them.
2006-12-16 16:23:41 · answer #10 · answered by Flat_out_Bob 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋