You are travelling at 100 km/h and have a reaction time of 1 second. What is the reaction distance according to the rule of thumb?

In this scenario, the rule of thumb states that at a speed of 100 km/h, the reaction distance is approximately 30 meters. This is calculated by considering the reaction time, which is usually estimated to be around 1 second. When traveling at 100 km/h, you cover about 27.78 meters in one second. Adding a buffer for safety and practicality rounds this to 30 meters.

Understanding this concept is vital in driving, as it highlights the importance of maintaining sufficient distance from other vehicles to ensure safety during sudden stops or emergencies. The German traffic regulations emphasize the necessity of maintaining a safe following distance to prevent accidents, and knowing your reaction distance is a crucial component of that.