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June 25, 2021 by Greg
Statistics show that driving too fast or speeding is one of the causes of frequent car crashes in Houston, Texas. Understanding the safe distance between cars at highway speeds in Texas is crucial for maintaining road safety. You have poor vehicle control when speeding, and you may not react to an emergency fast enough.
As a driver, familiarize yourself with the speed limits posted by authorities and abide by them. You may have observed that cars on a highway tend to be too close.
This may have left you wondering about the safe distance between cars at highway speeds. Read on, and we will tell you all about it.
In Texas, one car length for every ten miles per hour is considered a safe distance for drivers on a highway. If possible, maintain a safe distance while driving.
However, car length is vague since car lengths are not uniform. SUVs, Smart cars, and Luxury cars differ in length, yet they use the same highways. Therefore, it is unclear which vehicle to use to determine the safe distance between motor vehicles on the road.
The Texas Department of Public Safety published the Texas Driver Handbook, which recommends following the 2-second rule when driving at a speed of 30 mph.
While going faster than that, you can use a 3-second safe distance rule to keep a safe distance from the car in front.
If the car in front of you stops unexpectedly, you should take at least 2 seconds to reach it when driving at 30 mph and 3 seconds at a higher speed. The rule considers that a driver takes about 1.5 seconds to react in an emergency.
While this is the rule, consider the condition and speed of the vehicle ahead of you. If the motor vehicle ahead appears unmaintained, maintain a safe distance of at least 3 seconds. In most cases, a 3-second safe distance rule is more effective than the 2-second rule.
The set seconds are sufficient for you to take charge of your car and stop it safely behind the vehicle in front of you in an emergency. The safe distance between motor vehicles on a highway is 229 feet when driving at 50 mph and 387 feet at 70 mph.
Notably, the safe distance between cars also varies depending on the condition of your tires and brakes, the weather, and your speed. These factors make it hard to define a reliably safe distance.
Nonetheless, you may be ticketed for not maintaining a safe distance on the road. Car accident lawyers in Houston see the results of following too closely every day.
You are expected to keep the assured clear distance rule when driving in Texas. This rule requires maintaining a safe distance between cars, allowing you to stop your vehicle safely behind the one in front in case it stops suddenly. Rear-end car accidents happen suddenly and often with little warning.
However, this rule fails to define what this assured clear distance should be, creating a grey area that makes it hard to interpret the rule. Because of this, courts do not impose or interpret it as negligence in determining civil liability.
You may have observed that cars tend to be too close together on the road. You may be tempted to go with the flow and begin to follow too closely.
However, in a court of law, you cannot defend yourself for doing something wrong that everybody else was doing. You are individually liable for breaking safe distance rules.
Besides, following too closely risks you, the car in front, and the one behind if it also follows too closely. In an emergency, your vehicles may smash into each other, resulting in a pile-up.
Ignoring the safe distance rule puts you at risk of injury and may damage your car. Additionally, you may be ticketed and charged for causing injuries to others and for property damage.
Observing the 3-second distance rule and maintaining a safe distance between cars on the road helps keep you and other road users safe. Remember to calculate your set safe speed based on your set safe space.
Also, consider if your brakes and tires are well-maintained when determining the safe distance to keep on the road. The rules should be your minimum, but nothing should prevent you from maintaining a wider distance if your brakes or tires are not in perfect condition.
However, driving on a highway too slowly may be as dangerous as overspeeding. Follow the posted speed limits or use the same pace as other drivers, so long as they aren’t speeding.
Keep a wider distance in bad weather, probably an extra two or three car lengths. Bad weather affects the condition of the road.
You can control the condition of your car and your speed. However, the weather and the state of the road are out of your control. Consider lowering your driving speed and increasing the distance between your vehicle and the one in front. In addition, Texas no longer has a nighttime reduced speed limit.
You may be entitled to compensation if a car following too closely hits you from behind. This depends on the circumstances under which the accident occurred. However, you may be entitled to the following:
Are you looking for the best personal injury attorney in Houston? Reach out to Baumgartner Law Firm.
At Baumgartner Law Firm, we have a long history of successfully maximizing compensation for car injury victims. We limit the number of cases we handle because we believe in dedicating sufficient time to each case to provide the best possible service.
Our car accident attorneys aim to give our full attention to your case so that you can concentrate on your recovery after your accident. We offer free, no-obligation consultations for accidents in the Houston, Texas area.
Our services are based on a contingency fee, meaning you do not pay anything unless we secure a financial award for you.
Contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Baumgartner Law Firm at (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, TX, 77069
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Since establishing Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985, Greg Baumgartner has built a reputation as one of Houston’s leading personal injury attorneys, dedicated to representing severely injured victims and families who have lost loved ones due to negligence.
Greg holds two law degrees, a distinction earned by less than 1% of all attorneys, demonstrating his exceptional legal expertise. He is also a prestigious Trial Lawyers College graduate, further enhancing his skills in trial advocacy and litigation.
His relentless commitment to legal excellence and client advocacy has earned him recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers, the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and many others.
With decades of experience, Greg has consistently received top peer reviews. He holds a preeminent rating, a testament to his unwavering dedication to securing justice and maximum compensation for his clients.
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