Duke wrote:XMas wrote:If you were you have forgotten the 3 second rule as you seem very close or does your HTC Desire have a zoom?
If I was going to be pedantic I'd point out it's the 2 second rule... 
For those who can read the font size of that the above reply, who also may have faster reflexes, perhaps 2 seconds is enough (except in the bedroom)
I might have forgotten/ mis quoted the road safety campaign from the distant past, but one should always err on the side of caution, keep your distance and remember the national speed limit is not a guide of the speed to travel but the maximum speed that you should not exceed.
It should be noted that the faster you go, the greater the distance you should keep back from the cars ahead, ergo more seconds = greater distance = safer driving
1m distance per mph is the rule of thumb, but at higher speeds and in poor conditions you should decrease your speed and increase the distance its not one or the other!
OK so you could argue that thinking time can be delayed/longer as braking distances have shortened with new technology but judging by the amount of rear-enders and spin outs I have witnessed on the motorway, I think no one can do the math.