I have dealt with this topic before, but we have very recently witnessed a road crash that involved thirty-five vehicles. In spite of that we still observe truck drivers, in convoy, nose-to-tail, so close to one another that they effectively cut off exits from traffic in the left lane, and their actions are the set-up for the next major crash.
On the motorway that passes Valencia city, we still remember such a crash where the lead truck slammed into another vehicle trying to enter the motorway and get ahead of the huge road train that was a dozen or more trucks, and that started an incident that took more than six hours to clean up and resulted in massive property losses. Amazingly there were no deaths from that, but the inconvenience was inexcusable considering that had everyone kept their recommended distance a major incident might have been restricted to something minor.
What is the recommended separation. As a rule of thumb choose a point ahead, and when the vehicle in front passes it count as follows: "one, one thousand, two, one thousand." Should you pass the same point before finishing two, one thousand, you are too close. This holds good for any speed.
Remember also, that the vehicle that is behind that runs into the vehicle in front is at fault. No argument, that is the law.
Drive carefully, and keep your eyes on the road!
Copyright (c) 2012 Eugene Carmichael
