Maintaining a safe space

This section contains similar advice to that given to learner drivers on our companion site: DriverActive - but don't be misled into thinking that this is 'kids stuff'...

As far as space is concerned, the only difference between learners and advanced drivers is experience.

If the view in the picture is similar to that which you often get when driving in flowing traffic you are at least 50 metres too close This is almost too close for following in a traffic jam!

Use the information on this page as the basis for achieving your target on the 'Safe space worksheet.'

Safety bubble

While driving it's perhaps commonsense that you need to keep a safe space between your vehicle and other road users, bollards, trees and walls, etcetera – the safety bubble. However, the main cause of collisions is that people don't have sufficient space in which to stop safely - most drivers seem unaware of the dangers of following too closely or committing themselves to small spaces.

This section will explains the basics of maintaining a safety bubble.

If you have not already done so, print and complete your Training Outcomes Worksheet for this unit before going out on your practise drives.

Next: Start by watching a TV news report about safe space in Step 2.