What other measures could help drivers maintain sensible distances from a car in front...?

Question

apart from spacing chevrons?

Answer 1

Hiya!

sensors which work when you going a certain mph & getting too close to a car the car automatically warns you either by high pitched sound which would make you slow down as the noise would be so annoying! : ) , OR some kind of computer were if you tot up too many close tailing all info gets sent to a main sort machine or even the police station then you get a fine posted to you. Or even a cut off switch..not completly but an idea where the car would lose it's power for you to slow down. Nice question! : )

Answer 2

Sensibly distances between cars are difficult to maintain. How often you left a space in front and the driver behind have overtakes to fill 'the gap'? If sensible spaces exist between every car then a queue will form at entry points to every road!
Realistically the only enforcement could be an electronic distance sensor. Get too close for 15seconds and you engine power cuts until a sensible distance is measured. Sounds good but think of the danger if you car looses power just as you need emergency speed. Possibly a better approach would be a sensor emitting an annoying sound but drivers would then wear headphones!
In reality it drivers discretion and adherence to the highway code.

Answer 3

I like the chevrons, but there is no point maintaining a sensible distance as it is invariably filled instantly by idiots.
Idiots are stupid and ofen called soft in the head. Being soft in the head, if we could remove their cars they would make an excellent buffer for we sensible drivers.
Seriously, how about the often suggested radar type systems, infra red and laser ranging or satnav, which could all adjust vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance. Technology is improving so rapidly that it will not be long.
A non automatic system with warning bleeper may , however be better since it still leaves the driver in control with something to do and the beep would help keep them awake.

Answer 4

Tailgating would be discouraged if all vehicles were fitted with ABW ie advanced brake warning,a system where additional brake lights are wired through the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is pressed the brake lights are OFF and then ON when released. At 70mph this would give a warning 0.4 secs or 14 metres earlier than applying the footbrake,reducing the likelihood of a shunt and consequent whiplash injury. In the event you are tailgated, just come off the accelerator until the driver behind gets the message. The cost of fitting to a new car during manufacture would be less than £100 ( plus labour to an existing vehicle) ,which could be recouped in two/three years through lower insurance premiums.

Answer 5

As a D.S.A. approved Driving Instructor, the DSA recommend that you leave a 2 second separation distance from the car in front. When it passes a fixed point start the phrase "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule". If it is raining, it is 4 seconds, with this one it is the 1001, 1002,1003,1004. Snow and Ice 10 seconds rule. As the DSA is the agency that sets the driving tests and is the Standards that all ADI's have to use.

Answer 6

Most of the answers seem to agree on the two second rule.

More important is to find a way of stopping the idiots, who, because they see a gap between you and the car in front, have a desire to fill it. closer means slower means accidents.

If people did maintain the gap then it would lead to less congestion. Most problems are caused because cars are to close together. Once one slows the effect is for a concertina effect bringing everything to a standstill.

Better driver education.

Answer 7

A proximity sensor coupled with the speed indicated, with a audio warning device , already in existence for parking and can be easily extended by a more powerful emitter to the car in front distance at any speed, but that would probly lead to some sort of retarding device on engine / brake coupled to the sensor

Answer 8

Maybe we could put some sort of warning sensor into a reflective strip on car bumps. A green line would appear if you were at a sensible distance, amber if you were getting too close and red if you needed to slow down....flashing red strip would be highly dangerous.

Answer 9

Where I live and drive, that being Los Angeles, we have a two car space rule. There should be enough room in front of your car to fit two cars. All drivers should be subject to following this rule if you drive in Los Angeles; otherwise you risk being ticketed for tailgating. However, most people do not pay any regard to that rue, including law enforcement. I have never known anyone to get stopped for tailgating mainly because most people in LA drive like bats out of hell.

So to further ask your question, I do not believe that their really can be anything done about this situation in LA. However, if someone did invent a devise that if your vehicle gets to close to another your tiers automatically pop, them perhaps that will solve the situation. Not to mention cause some major protest.

Answer 10

DO NOT use the 2 second rule, someone will get hurt. The average reaction time is 2.4 seconds. If the person in front has a slightly faster reaction time than you, slightly better brakes, or slightly better tire traction, you will hit that vehicle in a quick stop situation. By the same token, if you have a slightly better reaction time, better brakes or tires than the person behind you, and they are only 2 seconds behind you, they will possibly collide with the rear of your car. Leave at least 3 seconds, and in inclement weather, or on poor surfaces like gravel leave 4 or more. As the vehicle in front passes a sign, or marker, count 1001,1002,1003, and if you pass the marker before 1003, back off for safety.
http://www.smartmotorist.com/tai/tai.htm
http://www.mpi.mb.ca/english/dr_tips/following.html
http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/manual/sec-3.pdf