Eps 23: Safe Following Distance in Bad Weather - The 4 Second Rule Explained | A1 Driving School NZ

Описание: In Episode 23, Harald from A1 Driving School NZ explains how to stay safe when driving in poor or bad weather conditions — and why the four-second rule can make all the difference. 🌧️

Wet roads, fog, and low visibility increase your stopping distance — so keeping the right gap between you and the vehicle in front is crucial. Harald shows you step-by-step how to measure your following distance and how to adjust it for rain, fog, or slippery roads.

👉 In this video, you’ll learn:
✅ How to use the “4-Second Rule” correctly
✅ Why wet roads and poor visibility require extra space
✅ Simple ways to judge a safe following distance
✅ What to do if the vehicle behind is too close
✅ Tips to stay calm and confident in poor weather

Perfect for learners and restricted drivers or anyone wanting safer habits on New Zealand roads.

🌐 Website: https://www.a1drivingschool.co.nz/

📘 Facebook: A1 Driving School

🐦 Twitter: @A1DrivinSchool

📚 Our Guides: https://www.a1drivingschool.co.nz/gui...

🎬 Next Episode: Learn how to safely complete a lane change in a 50 km/h zone. Stay tuned!
---------------------------
Transcript:
Hi, this is Harald from A1 Driving School. Today we are showing you what steps to take when applying a safe following distance in poor weather conditions. Let’s go and have a look.

When driving in poor weather conditions, we recommend applying the four-second rule. There are two main reasons why we apply more following distance in poor weather conditions. One is that the road is potentially more slippery, the other one is that visibility is potentially poor. We apply this distance so that if the vehicle in front of us stops suddenly, we should have enough time to stop safely behind the other vehicle. When the vehicle in front of us passes a stationary landmark, we start counting one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three, one thousand and four. If we reach the landmark before we say one thousand and four, we are driving too close to the vehicle in front. The four-second rule is the minimum following distance in poor weather conditions, so more is always better.

Thanks for watching our video on what steps to take when applying safe following distance in poor weather conditions. We hope you found it useful. Next time we are showing you what steps to take when doing a lane change in a 50km zone.