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Old 14th January 2011, 07:29   #1
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What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

I keep around 4 feet distance in front in my Ikon, in crawling traffic. Around 5 feet plus in the case of my Scorpio.

How much distance do you keep ?
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Old 14th January 2011, 07:33   #2
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

Usually about 1.5 meters or more, but sometimes I seal it off with just about a feet to prevent two wheelers from using it as an escape path.
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Old 14th January 2011, 07:57   #3
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

+1. About 3 - 4 feet, depending upon the presence of two wheelers in the vicinity.
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Old 14th January 2011, 08:06   #4
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

A long time ago, someone who attended a defensive driving course in the US told me of a rule of thumb to follow while stopped in traffic: Always stop far enough to be able to see the rear tyres of the vehicle ahead of you.

Dont know or remember the logic behind it, but its something that's stuck to my head, and have been following since. Not always possible in heavy traffic, but I try.
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Old 14th January 2011, 08:57   #5
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

For me around 4-5 ft is more than enough although some time you might need to keep it lesser than that coz some tailing morons would want me to kiss the front vehicle's rear, I totally neglect them.
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Old 14th January 2011, 09:08   #6
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

Around a 2-3 feet in dense traffic. If I dont keep less space, then two wheelers from both the sides would come in and eventually it will be me who would be blocked. I earlier used to keep more than 4 feet approx. but in traffic I realized that people would come in between in no time and its me who lost on time. Even cars do dart in between if space is 4-5 feet.

The traffic sense in my city is getting worse than even A'bad.
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Old 14th January 2011, 11:35   #7
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

In heavy traffic, I try to maintain a distance of 1-2 ft

BUT, if the driver in front looks like new or ladies, the distance kept is 5-6 ft.
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Old 14th January 2011, 12:26   #8
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

Depends on unrulyness of the AUTO RICKSHAWS and TWO WHEELERS.
Usually it is a half car's length, but in unruly situation it is close to inches.
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Old 14th January 2011, 12:33   #9
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

I usually leave about half a car length or more, but then the gap between my car and the one in front of it becomes like a two wheeler island. Now this is even more irritating to drive with than tailgating the car ahead because of (no offence meant) erratic driving patterns of two wheeler riders.
In Pune traffic, simply impossible to maintain a decent distance from the car ahead and yet not have someone try to bully you and take undue advantage of it.
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Old 14th January 2011, 12:40   #10
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

Bumper to Bumper distance depends on door to door distance between my lane and the lanes around me. If there is no space for a two wheeler to squeeze in on my left or right, then i keep a comfortable 5 feet or so distance.
Otherwise, in crawling traffic, i keep a distance of 3 feet or less to discourage two wheelers.
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Old 14th January 2011, 13:12   #11
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

Depends on the gap on the sides. On my daily commute, I generally try to stay in the first lane so I only have to worry about one side with moving/cutting/swerving traffic. If the guy on the left is close enough to block any 2-wheelers, I leave a good gap to the car in front.
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Old 14th January 2011, 13:47   #12
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

In the city:
A feet max if I am behind a car to prevent two wheelers from squeezing in scratching my bumper in the process. If I am behind a bus/truck, I do maintain more distance.
On the highways:
I try to maintain one car length behind heavy vehicles i.e. atleast half a car length.

Strictly no tailgating, be it the city or highway.
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Old 14th January 2011, 14:27   #13
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

Most of my commute is in such traffic situations and I have paid dearly for all scratches and dents so now I have a well established technique.

Stick to left-most or right-most lane so that at least one-side is fully protected from bikes/autos. Either you give them ample space or give none. No ambiguity.

Same pattern for front and rear space. Either leave ample, or leave none.

The bikes/autos squeezing through is a more imminent risk (and very irritating) compared to tail-gate-kissing.

People who say 4-5 feet have not experienced any 'real' bumper-to-bumper traffic in Bangalore With that kind of gap, you will be forever be stuck in one place. Not to forget those bumber-to-bumper merging/crossings situations - requires phenomenal precision and a loud horn - it is a war out there!

Last edited by androdev : 14th January 2011 at 14:29.
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Old 14th January 2011, 14:33   #14
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

A lot if it's uphill and the car in front of me is a learner.
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Old 14th January 2011, 14:38   #15
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Re: What is your bumper to bumper distance in slow traffic?

A good 5 feet or until the rear wheels are just about visible
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