two-second rule

two-second rule

A guideline denoting the distance that a driver should ideally maintain from the back of another car in order to avoid hitting it in the event of a fast stop. While teaching my daughter how to drive, I made sure to emphasize the two-second rule. I've never been in a car accident, and I think it's because I always keep the two-second rule in mind when I drive.
See also: rule
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • put some distance between
  • put some distance between (someone or something)
  • put some distance between someone and someone/something
  • keep (one's) distance from (someone or something)
  • keep distance
  • keep one's distance
  • keep your distance
  • keep (one's) distance
  • into the distance
  • in striking distance (of someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Both Highways England and the police have warned the public to abide by the two-second rule.
More distance: Keep extra distance between you and the car in front -- consider increasing the two-second rule to three seconds.
The concept offered slogans like "assured distance ahead" and the "two-second rule".
It was a cross between Peter Kay's Car Share and school detention, writing down lines like "only a fool breaks the two-second rule, but if it's wet on the floor make it more!" before being sent home with this dire warning: "The course hasn't ended.
The two-second rule, for example, shows that a driver who leaves two seconds of travel time at 80km/h between their own vehicle and the car in front of them creates 44.5 metres of distance, which is a universally accepted safety gap in which to stop in the event of an emergency.
Shafiq said that the two-second rule applied to two small cars.
One method of keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front is by applying the two-second rule. Imagine you are following a vehicle and it has just passed a roadside feature, such as a street light.
During daylight with good, dry roads and low traffic volume, you can ensure you're a safe distance from the car ahead of you by following the "two-second rule." Greater the speed, greater should be the safe driving distance.
I'm a firm believer in the two-second rule. From the time you see your buck to the time of lost opportunity, approximately two seconds elapse.
A two-second rule from the car in front is being promoted to encourage drivers to be more aware.
What is wrong with the two-second rule, or can't modern day drivers count that far?
What is wrong with the two-second rule, or can't modern-day drivers count that far?
"Firstly, remember the two-second rule and keep plenty of distance between your car and the tractor in case of sudden braking.
'So they are ignoring the two-second rule, designed to help you leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops.'