Avoid “coasting,” which involves traveling in neutral or with the clutch disengaged (pressed down), as this diminishes your control over the car.
When it comes to stopping distances, ensure there is sufficient space between your vehicle and the one in front so you can safely pull up if it slows down or stops suddenly.
Your overall stopping distance encompasses the distance your car travels:
- From the moment you realize you need to brake
- Until the moment your car comes to a complete stop.
The overall stopping distance comprises two components: thinking distance and braking distance.
Familiarize yourself with the typical thinking, braking, and stopping distances outlined in The Highway Code. These distances are based on vehicles traveling:
- With well-maintained tires and brakes
- On dry roads
- In favorable weather conditions.
Rather than just memorizing the figures, it’s essential to develop the ability to judge distances accurately. A practical approach is to maintain a two-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front.
In adverse conditions, it’s crucial to increase these distances:
- When it’s raining or the road is wet, double the distance.
- In icy conditions, increase the distance by tenfold.
In faster conditions like on motorways, increasing the distance between vehicles is crucial for reducing the risk of collisions.