What You Should Know About Safe Driving Distance in Mississippi

What You Should Know About Safe Driving Distance in Mississippi

driving car on highway, close up of hands on steering wheelImagine driving down the road; you realize the vehicle behind you is too close, putting yourself and others at risk of an auto accident. If you need to step on the brakes suddenly, the car behind you will slam into your vehicle’s back end. It can be frustrating when other drivers do not follow driving laws and safety recommendations, especially when they do not follow safe driving distance suggestions in Mississippi. If you have been involved in an auto accident caused by a driver following too closely, contact Blackmon & Blackmon PLLC to speak with a car accident lawyer in Mississippi.

What Is a Safe Driving Distance?

Safe driving distance is the phrase associated with the recommended distance a vehicle should follow another vehicle based on the road, speed limit, speed of the cars, and weather conditions. For example, you should follow the three-second safe following distance rule when driving on a straight highway with dry weather conditions. To do this, you should be able to count three seconds from when the car in front of you passes an object before your vehicle passes, such as one Mississippi (delete) two Mississippi, and three Mississippi.

The three-second rule is the minimum safe driving distance between vehicles. More space is always better when possible and is highly recommended on winding roads and unfavorable driving conditions.

How Many Feet Should You Stay Behind a Car?

Though the three-second rule is a suggested rule to follow when driving, it does not easily translate into the number of feet needed between vehicles. To calculate the three-second rule into feet, you must start with how many feet are in a mile – 5,280. Then, you want to multiply your driving speed by 5,280. For example, traveling at 65 MPH, you will multiply 65 x 5,280, which equals deriving 343,200 feet every hour.

Next, divide the feet per house by the number of minutes in an hour. Using the same example above, divide 343,200 by 60, which gives you 5,720 feet per minute. Then, divide the new number 5,720 feet per minute by 60 (for seconds in a minute), which equals about 95.33 feet.

Finally, multiply the number of feet per second by three to calculate the safe driving distance based on the three-second rule. In this example, 95 x 3 suggests a safe driving distance between cars traveling at 65 MPH is about 286 feet.

It is the best way to calculate how many feet to remain behind another vehicle when driving. If possible, work these numbers out before driving, and over time, you will know, based on the roads you are traveling on, how much space in feet to leave between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Why Is a Safe Driving Distance Important?

Driving at a safe following distance is essential to ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers and passengers on the road. However, following too close could result in a rear-end auto accident, one of the most common types of accidents.

Being rear-ended is also one of the most dangerous forms of an auto accident. Rear-end collisions can cause extensive damage to the vehicles and cause vehicles involved in the accident to run off the road or hit other cars.

Tailgating, or following too close behind the vehicle in front of you, is the cause of most rear-end collisions. Also, following too close to another car can cause an accident because there is not enough time to maneuver if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or hits something.

Additionally, auto accident injuries suffered in rear-end collisions can include whiplash, broken bones, airbag and seatbelt injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Several tips can help you remain at the minimum following distance from other vehicles on the road. The first is to ensure enough distance between vehicles, allowing plenty of time to stop. Also, stay attentive and watch the vehicle in front of you and the cars in front.

How an Attorney Can Help if an Accident Happens

In the event of an accident, a Mississippi car accident lawyer can help you get the financial compensation you deserve. An attorney can work with insurance companies, speak with medical professionals, and file a personal injury suit against the person who caused the accident. Then, if needed, your attorney can appear in court, presenting your case to the judge and jury.

If you have been involved in an auto accident caused by a driver following too closely, it might be a good idea to speak with an attorney to discuss your options. First, call the attorneys at Blackmon & Blackmon PLLC in Canton, MS, to discuss your case and get the compensation you are owed.

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