Rule 126 - The Highway Code

Rule 126

From: general rules techniques and advice for all drivers and riders 103 to 158

Source

Download ‘Typical stopping distances’ (PDF, 124KB)

Stopping distances. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.

You should

  • leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances diagram)
  • allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads and in tunnels where visibility is reduced. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and up to ten times greater on icy roads
  • remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. If driving a large vehicle in a tunnel, you should allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle in front

If you have to stop in a tunnel, leave at least a 5-metre gap between you and the vehicle in front.

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