If you flunked physics and/or math, welcome to Staying Alive 101.
The science pertinent to this discussion is Mental chronometry, “the scientific study of processing speed or reaction time on cognitive tasks to infer the content, duration, and temporal sequencing of mental operations.”
According to the ARCCA, “For more complex tasks such as emergency braking, human reaction time has been studied and measured as three different phases: the time to perceive or sense a danger or hazard (perception phase), the time to make a response decision (decision phase), and the time to respond (response phase). The response phase (i.e. BRAKING) is further complicated by the physical response (i.e. apply the BRAKES with the FOOT) and the system response (i.e. the TIME the vehicle’s braking system requires to actually apply braking force to the wheels). Under ideal driving conditions, the entire human perception reaction time for braking has been measured to be approximately 1.5 seconds (R. Limpert).” SOURCE: https://rb.gy/lok0o Emphasis, my own.
Doing a little rush-hour math, at 60 MPH, your vehicle (usually a car) moves 88 feet per second.
Quick math exercise: [@60 mph] 88 feet per second X 1.5 seconds = 132 FEET.
The average length of cars is 14.7 feet.
Therefore, at 60 mph, a somewhat safe tailgater should separate his/her front bumper from my rear bumper by at least NINE CAR LENGTHS!
“In Texas, a one-car length per every ten mph is considered a safe distance for drivers on a highway. You should maintain that as your safe distance while driving if possible.” Baumgartner Law Firm, personal injury lawyers https://rb.gy/4516v
If you are a tailgater who prefers to ignore the laws of physics and/or the laws of the State of Texas, your driver’s license and proof of insurance should be within arm’s reach—assuming you personally survived the crash. NOTE: Whether I survive or die, my survivors or I will call the personal injury lawyer. If you survive the crash, you will hear from the lawyer.
According to the NHTSA, more than 9,500 people were killed in traffic crashes nationwide within the first three months of 2022. Annualized, the total traffic deaths for 2022 will come out to be around 38,000.
I enjoy meeting people. Texas has a great number of people from all walks of life. It would be a pleasure to meet you but let’s not meet in a funeral home or a courtroom.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 