At Kirmac Collision and Autoglass, we hope that, ideally, you would never need collision or glass repair services. Safety is a top priority in our company, and for our Customers. There are a number of ways to be aware and ensure you remain safe on the roads.
One of the most important safety factors to keep in mind while driving is maintaining a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. It is not uncommon for us to complete auto body or glass repairs on vehicles that were following another vehicle too closely, and in turn incurred some sort of damage. How does this happen, and more importantly, how can you avoid making similar mistakes?
Potential Safety Hazards of Following Too Closely
There are a couple of reasons your car might receive damage from following another vehicle too closely. It’s not uncommon for many larger vehicles such as trucks or 18-wheelers to kick up rocks and other debris as they drive down the highway. Remain a safe distance behind vehicles and particularly, larger vehicles. Following too closely puts your vehicle in the path of oncoming debris leading to dents, chips and windshield damage.
Following a vehicle too closely can lead to much more serious situations as well. Keeping a safe distance from vehicles ahead of you on the road, will provide you with the time and space needed to react if a situation develops on the road ahead. Leaving distance to safely stop or steer your vehicle away from a hazard on the road will help you avoid a potentially serious collision.
What is a Safe Distance to Follow Another Vehicle?
In order to determine a safe distance for following another vehicle, first consider a few different factors:
- Your vehicle type
- Your speed
- Road conditions
The best trick for deciding the proper following distance is the “2 Second Rule”. The rule states you should drive at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. To figure this out, pick a road sign or other landmark such as a pole. When the rear of the vehicle in front of you passes that landmark, begin counting. If the front tip of your car passes that landmark before you count to two, you are following too closely and need to slow down.
When driving a particularly heavy vehicle, increase your following distance, as well as if you’re driving a larger vehicle or pulling a trailer add an additional second for every three meters of length. If road conditions are poor due to weather or other factors, a good rule of thumb is to double your following distance.
Contact Your Vancouver Collision and Autoglass Repair Shop
As your Vancouver collision and autoglass repair specialists, we want our customers to keep safety in the forefront of their minds. However, if the unthinkable happens, Kirmac will always be there to help! We offer a variety of services and back them with our lifetime guarantee. If your vehicle is in need of auto body or glass repair, contact the experts at Kirmac Collision and Autoglass to schedule an appointment today, or visit one of our 18 convenient locations throughout the BC Lower Mainland. We’ll have your vehicle repaired and safely back on the road in no time!
