Write a short note on ' Safe distance between vehicles'.l
Answers
Explanation:
The regulations described above are summarized in the following table.
Country Existing law or regulation Threshold for enforcement
set by law or regulation Comments
Austria
Yes (Road Traffic Code) :
- Adjust distance to be able to stop
if necessary
- Sanction based on minimum time
or distance
Yes
- Gap < 0.4 s
- Distance < 50 m for lorries
The 2-second rule is taught in driving
schools and painted on the pavement.
Denmark The 2-second rule is used
by police. The 2-second rule is applied.
Estonia
Yes (Traffic Law) :
- Keep sufficient distance to avoid
collision
No The 2-second rule is used as a rule of
thumb.
Finland
Yes
Traffic Law :
- Adjust distance to be able to stop
if necessary
- Sanction according to the
minimum time or distance
Yes
- Gap < 1 s; distance
depends on the speed
- Gap < 1.5 s for lorries;
distance depends on the
speed
The 2-second rule is also used as a rule of
thumb.
France
Yes (Road Code) :
- Sufficient distance to avoid
collision if car in front brakes or
stops
Yes
- Gap < 2 s
- Distance < 50 m for lorries
> 3.5 t or < 7 m, in
interurban areas at the same
speed
For certain infrastructures, higher minimum
safe distances can be made compulsory.
Germany
Yes (§4 Road Traffic Act)
- Drivers must be able to stop in
time if the car in front brakes
- 50 m for lorries if speed > 50
km/h
Yes
Quarter-speed rule
Fines depend on actual
speed and distance and are
imposed if drivers break the
quarter-speed rule.
Drivers should keep a distance greater than
half of the speed in metres or a time gap of
two seconds (both are rules of thumb, but
have also been confirmed by court
decisions).
Iceland
Yes (Road Traffic Law)
- Sufficient distance to avoid
collision
Ireland
No
- The law stipulates ‘driving with
care and attention’
No
2-second rule for ‘safe stopping distance’ in
the ‘Rules of the Road, however, this is not
a legal requirement
Italy
Yes: Road Code Art. 149
- Adjust distance to be able to stop
if necessary and avoid collision
No
Fines and penalties are mainly related to
damages resulting from collision or
casualties.
Luxembourg
Yes: Road Code
- Sufficient distance to avoid
collision
Yes
< 100 m between lorries
outside urban areas
< 100 m (interurban) and 50
m (urban) behind dangerous
goods
The 2-second rule is taught as a matter of
principle in driving schools.
Netherlands Yes
Fine is imposed if distance < 1s
Yes
Time < 1s The 2-second rule is applied.
Norway Yes
- Gap < 0.3 s
(if vehicle < 3.5 t)
- Gap < 0.5 s
(if vehicle > 3.5 t)
Portugal
Yes (Road Legislation Code)
- Sufficient distance to avoid an
accident if the car in front stops or
reduces speed
No
Sweden Yes
Fine is imposed if distance < 1s If <0.5s, driving licence is
revoked. Enforcement problems exist.
Switzerland
Yes (law)
- Sufficient distance in case car in
front brakes
In practice, the 2-second rule or the halfspeed rule is applied.
UK
No
But ‘driving with care and attention’
is mentioned in the law
No
2-second rule for ‘safe stopping distance’ in
the ‘highway code rule’, but not a legal
requirement
The regulations described above are summarized in the following table.
Country Existing law or regulation Threshold for enforcement
set by law or regulation Comments
Austria
Yes (Road Traffic Code) :
- Adjust distance to be able to stop
if necessary
- Sanction based on minimum time
or distance