Sun Feb 05 2023 10:09:47 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time) - QikTruck Media
South Africa has a major problem with traffic fatalities. Over 10,000 traffic deaths occurred in 2019 as a result of reckless driving and a lack of road safety awareness. One of the most critical factors in maintaining a safe environment on the roads is maintaining proper following distances. Failure to do so can have serious consequences for all road users. The following article explains why following distance is important and the implications should the safety rule be ignored.
Following distance is the gap between you and the vehicle in front of you when driving. The amount of space you give the car ahead of you depends on the speed you are driving and other traffic on the road.
At a slow speed, you should give the car ahead of you at least two seconds of distance. In practical terms, think of it as the length of two cars. As your speed increases, so too should your following distance, allowing for up to a four-second gap at much faster speeds.
The following distance rule is an important safety rule to follow as it allows for an appropriate reaction time in the event of any sudden changes in the road such as a vehicle in front of you braking suddenly due to a hazard.
When roads are congested, drivers can become impatient and neglect their following distance in favour of getting to their destination quicker. This is particularly prevalent among commercial drivers who are under pressure. The consequences can be extremely severe.
Should a driver make contact with the vehicle in front of them, the first consequence is a potential fine. South African roads are monitored extensively and cameras are set up to record violations, the drivers of which could be fined from R500 to R3000.
On top of this, drivers will also likely face time in prison for engaging in reckless driving due to neglecting safety rules.
Probably the most serious consequence of ignoring the following distance rule is the potential for a collision. At high speed, failing to observe the four-second rule can be a death wish. This could lead to serious injuries for all parties involved, or even death.
Furthermore, it can be difficult for a driver to recover from the shock of an accident and the injuries they cause.
QikTruck, with its fleet of professional drivers and delivery services, has an opportunity to make sure following distance rules are followed. Their drivers understand that safe driving is the core of responsible delivery at any speed and in any conditions.
QikTruck makes sure their drivers are aware of the importance of following distances and holds them accountable by offering training in defensive driving, monitoring performances and following up on each delivery.
QikTruck also provides their clients with a variety of safety-ensuring solutions such as driver tracking and remote surveillance, which might prevent any potential violations from taking place and guarantee a safe delivery of goods. Their drivers also follow other necessary safety rules like the wearing of seat belts, obeying the speed limit, and locking all doors when the vehicle is in motion,
This allows their clients to relax knowing their goods will be delivered in the safest manner.
It is clear that following the proper following distance rules is essential for road safety. South African roads are especially prone to fatalities, with 10,000 cases reported in 2019 alone due to reckless driving and a lack of road safety awareness.
This is why, at QikTruck, we make sure our drivers are aware and accountable of the following distance rules, as well as other safety rules. Our safety solutions guarantee that your goods are delivered on time and in the safest manner possible. Contact us today to learn more.