The example you state Ghana is one that is the correct use of the horn & one I use regularly in the U.K. too

I use my horn on narrow, twisty country lanes.

Stops emmetts coming flying around the bend on 2 wheels :d

2-3 car lengths is less than 2s at 30mph, should be at least 3-4 in dry or 7-8 in wet.

That is minimum safe distance to car in front not distance to stop. It assumes car infront is travelling at same speed so will have some distance to go ahead of you before it stops.

So I and everyone else around here including my husband is a bad driver then? Is that what you're saying?

I'm a calm relaxed driver, but I'm not oblivious enough that certain things can't wind me up lol

Also 12 car lengths? Really? I give 2-3 as does pretty much everybody around here, closer you're tail gating- further away you're on a mission to wind someone else

2 - 3 car lengths ?

At what road speed ?

BTW it's 20-30 on that particular road due to all the parked cars

So I and everyone else around here including my husband is a bad driver then? Is that what you're saying?

Having 2 - 3 car lengths stopping distance in front of you @ 30 m.p.h. or even @ 20 m.p.h. on wet road surfaces & expecting to stop in time is not realistic

Most people unfortunately drive too close.

That's why you so frequently hear about multi car accidents.

I always try and use 2 second rule (or 4 in wet)

I came back from Tuscany doing that, I didn't realise that was actually the correct use of the horn over here too.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree then, as expecting someone in front at all times to brake so sharply for no reason what so ever is also not realistic. And I did stop in time as did everyone else

I've also been behind 20mph man leaving your 10+ car lengths - almost swiped another car on a mini roundabout so much attention was being paid to me behind him...

I also use the 2 second rule. 10+ car lengths it ain't:)

It will be about 10 at 70mph.

And don't forget stopping and following distances are two different things :)

Oh dear.

The 2 second rule & it's consequential safe stopping distance varies with road speed . . & dependent on road speed & road conditions can be far in excess of 10 / 20 / 30 car lengths.

It will be about 10 at 70mph.

True

I concede to that

You should however drive expecting everyone around you to do something ridiculous and try to allow for it. Something could run out in front of the car in front causing them to do an emergency stop with no notice.

It will be about 10 at 70mph.

And don't forget stopping and following distances are two different things :)

Not so Alex - check the highway code for MINIMUM stopping distances - it's 315 feet @ 70 m.p.h. - in the dry

I'm talking about following distance of 10 car lengths at 70mph.

Not stopping distance.

I'm talking about following distance of 10 car lengths at 70mph.

Not stopping distance.

There's no such thing as following distance Alex - only stopping distance, which is thinking distance + braking distance combined

I thought we were talking about following distances? That's what I've been answering with anyway...

I'll try that again, and post it on the correct thread.

I don't like that I forgot to take the chicken necks out of the freezer, for Brandy's tea :(

They are thawing on auto-defrost in the microwave as I type :)

So we should follow at 30+ car lengths on the motorway during rush hour lol! I can see that happening!

There's no such thing as following distance Alex - only stopping dstance, which is thinking distance + braking distance combined

Following distance at a given speed can be roughly worked out from 2 second rule.

Laurie was talking about car lengths when following a car. You don't leave the full stopping distance between you and the car in front when following a moving vehicle as they also need distance to stop.

So we should follow at 30+ car lengths on the motorway during rush hour lol! I can see that happening!

We'll should you get up to 70 anyway ;)

I thought we were talking about following distances? That's what I've been answering with anyway...

There's no such thing as '' following distances '' it's a myth & a dangerous one at that

The 2 second rule is one that should ensure one has the distance in front of you to be able to stop - should the vehicle in front do so abruptly - in the dry - double in the wet & x10 in ice or snow

I did stop when the person in front did so abruptly yet I'm being told I'm too close...

The 2 second rule is one that should ensure one has the distance in front of you to be able to stop - should the vehicle in front do so abruptly - in the dry - double in the wet & x10 in ice or snow

Exactly but as speed = distance / time, you have the time of 2, 4 or 20s so can work out the distance at a given speed :)

I know they don't publish figures but it can be calculated and I did so for comparison to Laurie's car lengths.

However as speed is constantly variable I only ever work it out on time when driving anyway.