You are driving at 80 km/h behind a motor vehicle. What is the minimum safe distance you must observe?

The safe distance you must keep from the vehicle ahead when driving at higher speeds, such as 80 km/h, is measured using the "2-second rule." This means you should be able to count at least two seconds between the time the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed point and the time your car reaches that same point. This rule helps ensure you have enough time to react and brake safely if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows down or stops. Distances like 1 second or a fixed number of metres (such as 15 metres) are not reliable at higher speeds because the braking distance increases as speed increases. Always use the 2-second rule for safe following distance on open roads.