Leaving room for other drivers on the road is as easy as 1-2-3

One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi…

Summer in Saskatchewan is full of fun activities like outdoor concerts, football games and trips to the lake. But many prairie adventures come with a lengthy road trip and SGI wants to remind you to leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.  

At least three seconds of space, as a matter of fact.  

Maybe you’re thinking, “Three seconds? Isn’t distance measured in feet or metres? Why do we measure following distance in time?”  

“Even the most focused drivers need time to react when something unexpected happens, like if the vehicle you’re following brakes hard suddenly,” according to Shay Shpak, Director of Driver Examination Services at SGI. “Since the distance you need to stop increases as your speed increases, using the amount of time it takes to reach the car in front of you is more useful than a distance. Three seconds gives a focused driver enough time under ideal conditions to safely avoid a collision if the vehicle in front of them stops suddenly.”  

A three-second following distance is useful at any speed, whether you’re in town or on the highway. Start by choosing a non-moving object on or near the road. This could be a sign, a line painted on the road or even a pothole. When the car in front of you passes the object, start counting off the seconds that pass before you reach the same object. If you count three or more seconds – you’re following at the right distance! If it’s less than three seconds, temporarily reduce your speed and give yourself more space (and time!) to react.  Then count again to confirm you have the time you need to react.  

When conditions are less than perfect – like low visibility, driving on wet pavement or loose gravel or hauling a heavy load – increase your following distance to six seconds or more. This will give you more time to react and more room to move or stop if there isn’t ideal traction on the road.  

SGI is asking all Saskatchewan drivers to focus on ways they can make our roads safer. While you’re leaving room for other drivers, be alert for other road users. Roadside construction workers, emergency workers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and farmers all use our roads and want to get home safely the same way you do. Slow down and give them space.  

For more summer traffic safety tips, follow SGI on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).