Safe following distance

A safe following distance depends on your speed, driving conditions and the type of vehicle you are driving. In good conditions, you should drive at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.

To determine the two seconds – watch the vehicle in front as it passes a landmark, such as a tree, sign, power pole or overpass. As it passes the landmark, start counting ‘one thousand and one, one thousand and two’ (this takes about two seconds). If you pass the same landmark before you finish counting to two seconds, you’re too close.

It is important to increase your following distance if the weather or road conditions are poor, if you’re driving a heavy vehicle or towing a trailer.

Headlights

• 
High beam headlights are not permitted:
• If you’re driving less than 200m behind a vehicle.
• If an oncoming vehicle is less than 200m away.

In wet, or poor visibility conditions

• Turn on your headlights (even if you have daytime running lights which turn on automatically) and remember to check your lights are on in periods or areas of low visibility.
• Use your windscreen demister to stop the windscreen from fogging up.

In foggy conditions

• Drive slowly.
• Turn on windshield wipers.
• Don’t use high beam headlights.

Fog lights can be used in foggy conditions, dust storms or heavy rain. But do not drive with both headlights and fog lights on at the same time.