Safety margins
What is the safe rule for how close you should ever get to the vehicle in front?
- Never get closer than the overall stopping distanceCorrect
- Stay within one metre so you can see it clearly
- Match the gap of the car behind you
- Keep close enough to read its number plate
Why?
Rule 126 of The Highway Code gives the safe rule: never get closer to the vehicle in front than your overall stopping distance. Leaving that space means you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows or stops.
Highway Code rule 126