The seconds rule is dead-simple though, works at any speed. How many seconds is up to you. Again, can't remember the last time I invoked it. Seems everyone's in a hurry, swerving to get by me on appointments with destiny or summat.
With typical modern car lengths of about 15 feet, the 'whole car length for every 10 mph' rule leads to a following distance of almost exactly 1 second. That car-length rule doesn't leave more space than the '2 second' rule unless your car is longer than 29 feet 4 inches. When I brought the 2 Second rule home from driver education, dad was shocked about following that close. He insisted on more space, specifically that 'one car length for every 10 mph' standard. If took a while to prove to him that his rule left less room, not more.
Interesting old post, so Mendel, the Canadians are now driving almost as bad as the Americans. The younger generations seem to have no respect on following distances. I think both rules are good and safe, the 2 second rule is easier to do while driving. The fist car with auto braking and it seems to employ the car length rule, I love it as it's one extra tool to safe driving. Now the person that rushs up to red lights and stop signs will probably never use it. His price to pay!
I fear you have vastly overestimated the size of our car parks and possibly the size of the UK. Like most of the people trying to get in!
Great video! I have steeper hills here, but still feel far more confident now if we get caught in the snow.
