A devastating multi-vehicle collision on the N2 highway between Ermelo and Piet Retief in November resulted in the death of at least one person. Unconfirmed reports say a taxi driving erratically was to blame for the crash. Yet, dashcam footage is suggesting something else is responsible.

Footage from the incident is circulating on social media. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says this tells a different story. “It seems insufficient following distance between a truck and a taxi appears to have been a primary factor in initiating the chain-reaction crash. This places attention on a core tenet of defensive driving –adequate following distances.

“The footage shows that the space between the vehicles is imperceptible from the driver’s perspective leaving little time to react when traffic conditions changed. As we head into the Festive Season and holiday travels loom, it is a stark reminder of the potentially fatal consequences of unsafe following distances,” says Herbert.

What is following distances important?

Reaction time

The average human requires anything from 1.5 to 2.5 seconds to perceive and react to a hazard. “The greater the following distance, the more time you have to process and respond to sudden changes which is critical in vehicles that require longer stopping distances,” says Herbert.

Stopping distance is not equal

 Several factors cause stopping distances to vary significantly. “Road conditions, like wet or uneven roads, influence braking distance. Vehicle maintenance affects it as well. Bad tyre condition and brake wear increase stopping distances,” says Herbert.

Chain reactions

At the core of most pile-ups, is inadequate following distances. “Following distances should be a minimum of three seconds for light motor vehicles in perfect conditions and be increased with adverse conditions and larger vehicles. This allows drivers to gradually slow down rather than brake suddenly and consequently gives other vehicles time to do the same,” says Herbert.

Visibility

Greater following distance improves visibility of road conditions ahead. “Drivers are better able to spot potential hazards beyond the immediate vehicle.in conditions where visibility is reduced, it decreases the effect of off spray from other vehicles or debris on the road.”

Stress reduction

Adequate following distances allow for more relaxed and focused driving. “It reduced the chance of falling victim to another’s aggressive driving or losing your own cool as there is more space for evasive manoeuvres,” says Herbert.

Weather

Compensate for reduced traction on wet or slippery roads by increasing following distances. “Doing this in challenging weather conditions gives drivers extra time to stop if there is an obstacle,” says Herbert.

Emergencies

A larger following distance enables safer lane changes during emergencies. “In turn, this also facilitates improved traffic flow and provides space to account for emergency vehicles,” says Herbert.

Economic impact

Greater following distances help save costs. “It reduces fuel consumption, wear and tear and lowers accident risk through smooth and anticipated responses to traffic,” says Herbert.

The tragic incident on the N2 serves as a powerful reminder that maintaining proper following distance is a critical safety practice that can mean the difference between life and death on our roads this Festive Season.