| DAVID
GOH'S HOME PAGE Last updated: 16 Aug 2003 David's SoapBox This page is located on:
|
Tailgating Last updated 16 Aug 2003 Back to D'Singapore Scene Don't just avoid tailgaters... don't be a tailgater yourself!
The Straits Times Interactive AUG 18, 2000 Tip of the week - Avoid those tailgaters by LEOW JU-LEN IT IS a lesson that most motorists seem determined to learn by accident. Travelling too closely to the vehicle in front reduces the chances of being able to stop in time during an emergency. At best, this could result in a traffic-slowing fender-bender. At worst, a serious accident might happen. Try some simple observation the next time you travel on the expressways. You will spot a row of cars in the overtaking lane, travelling disastrously close to each other. When the first driver brushes the brakes, the second has to react a little harder and so on down the line. The result is stop and go traffic in a situation where the flow should be steady. The simple rule is to allow two seconds between yourself and the car in front, and increase that to four seconds in the wet. It is a bigger gap than you would think you need, but it just might save a life, and will certainly make the traffic flow smoother. Invariably, you will get road-hogs cutting into that gap, but when you consider that the sum total of time lost for each of those inconsiderate drivers is only two seconds, it is no great loss. If you find a motorist filling your mirrors, the most sensible thing is get out of his way. If he is determined to crash into something, make sure it is not you.
|
