. . . between me and the car ahead whenever possible since I began driving. My best friend at the time used to say, "You'd better close up, somebody'll get that space," but I knew better. You can only stop so fast and no faster.

For nearly 8 years I drove a delivery van in New Orleans traffic, and the spacing routine saved me more times than I can count. Of course during major rush hours it's hard to do, the morons will swoop in (and here they have no idea what the turn signal lever is for, so you have no warning). I have to stay on my toes. I don't drink coffee in my car, I don't have a cell phone. I'm too busy watching out for the crazies.

I leave about 3 seconds' space between me and the car ahead, more if the road is wet or visibility is poor. Should I leave more even under dry clear conditions?

__________________
* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino