If driving at 50 km/h, how far should you be from the vehicle in front of you?

When driving at a speed of 50 km/h, the recommended distance to maintain from the vehicle in front is approximately 23 metres. This distance is based on the two-second rule, which is a guideline for maintaining a safe following distance.

At 50 km/h, a vehicle travels approximately 14 metres per second. Therefore, to allow for adequate reaction time, which can significantly vary depending on conditions such as weather, visibility, and road surface, keeping a following distance of around 23 metres gives a driver about 1.6 seconds reaction time, plus additional space to account for any sudden stops or changes in the vehicle ahead.

This measurement ensures that drivers have a cushion of safety, enabling them to react appropriately in different driving conditions. Maintaining this distance is crucial for preventing rear-end collisions, which are among the most common types of accidents on the road.