Driving Tip: Keep your distance

The Official New Zealand Road Code says it's very important to ensure there is a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front, so you have time to stop suddenly.

Under normal circumstances, the 'two-second rule' - which calculates whether you're following two seconds behind the vehicle in front - is the best way to gauge whether there's enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front, no matter what speed you're travelling at.

To calculate this, watch the vehicle travelling in front of you pass a landmark, start counting 'one thousand and one, one thousand and two', and aim to pass that same landmark no earlier than 'two'. If you pass the landmark before you finish saying those words, you're following too closely.

In bad weather, when the road is wet or slippery, or if you're towing a trailer, increase your following distance to at least four seconds.