THE FOUR-SECOND SOLUTION TO REAR-END COLLISIONS

Although the time and distance required to stop a vehicle depends on several variables, a four second interval typically provides a safe following distance for heavy-duty commercial vehicles on dry roads. The four seconds are broken down into: one second to identify the hazard and react; two seconds to slow down, stop or change direction; and one second for distractions, such as checking mirrors. The pay-off is: reduced chance of rear-ending another vehicle; reduced need for panic stops; and, consequently, reduced risk of being rear-ended when braking. This article explains how to establish a safe following distance by using the four-second rule.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: https://www.library.northwestern.edu/find-borrow-request/requests-interlibrary-loan/lending-institutions.html
• Authors:
  • Forman, R
• Publication Date: 1990-1

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 60-61
• Serial:
  • Commercial Carrier Journal
  • Volume: 147
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Randall Publishing Company, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 1099-4173

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus drivers; Following distance; Rear end crashes; Safety; Truck drivers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accident avoidance
• Old TRIS Terms: Following distance, of vehicles
• Subject Areas: Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00490713
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 1990 12:00AM