Two-second rule
Changed pronouns to be more grammatically correct
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[[Image:Two-second-rule diagram.png|thumb|329px|The three second rule is a time for the defensive driver to judge the minimum safe trailing distance to help avoid collisions under ideal driving conditions. The red car's driver picks a tree to judge a two-second safety buffer.]] |
[[Image:Two-second-rule diagram.png|thumb|329px|The three second rule is a time for the defensive driver to judge the minimum safe trailing distance to help avoid collisions under ideal driving conditions. The red car's driver picks a tree to judge a two-second safety buffer.]] |
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The '''two-second rule''' is a [[rule of thumb]] by which a driver may maintain a [[Assured Clear Distance Ahead|safe trailing distance]] at any speed.{{cite web | url=http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-driving/speed-limits/speed-limits_2-second-rule.html | title=The two-second rule | publisher=Road Safety Authority (Government of Ireland) | access-date=December 13, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309213451/http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-driving/speed-limits/speed-limits_2-second-rule.html | archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}{{cite web | url=http://dmv.ny.gov/dmanual/chapter08-manual.htm | title=NYS DMV - Driver's Manual - Chapter 8: Defensive Driving | publisher=New York State Department of Motor Vehicles | date=September 2011 | accessdate=December 13, 2011}} The rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of |
The '''two-second rule''' is a [[rule of thumb]] by which a driver may maintain a [[Assured Clear Distance Ahead|safe trailing distance]] at any speed.{{cite web | url=http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-driving/speed-limits/speed-limits_2-second-rule.html | title=The two-second rule | publisher=Road Safety Authority (Government of Ireland) | access-date=December 13, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309213451/http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-driving/speed-limits/speed-limits_2-second-rule.html | archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}{{cite web | url=http://dmv.ny.gov/dmanual/chapter08-manual.htm | title=NYS DMV - Driver's Manual - Chapter 8: Defensive Driving | publisher=New York State Department of Motor Vehicles | date=September 2011 | accessdate=December 13, 2011}} The rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of their vehicle. It is intended for automobiles, although its general principle applies to other types of vehicles. Some areas recommend a '''three-second rule''' instead of a two-second rule to give an additional buffer. |
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The rule is not a guide to safe ''stopping'' distance, it is more a guide to reaction times. The two-second rule tells a [[Defensive driving|defensive driver]] the ''minimum'' distance needed to reduce the risk of collision under ideal driving conditions. The allotted two-seconds is a safety buffer, to allow the following driver time to respond. The practice has been shown to considerably reduce the risk of collision and also the severity of any injuries if a collision occurs. It also helps to avoid [[tailgating]] and [[road rage]] for all drivers. |
The rule is not a guide to safe ''stopping'' distance, it is more a guide to reaction times. The two-second rule tells a [[Defensive driving|defensive driver]] the ''minimum'' distance needed to reduce the risk of collision under ideal driving conditions. The allotted two-seconds is a safety buffer, to allow the following driver time to respond. The practice has been shown to considerably reduce the risk of collision and also the severity of any injuries if a collision occurs. It also helps to avoid [[tailgating]] and [[road rage]] for all drivers. |
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