Your Vehicle Bubble - You are driving in a queue of traffic ... at about 10 k/ph. Suddenly and ... the vehicle behind hits you. Whose fault is it? Legally - the person behind you say.
Your Vehicle Bubble - You are driving in a queue of traffic travelling at about 10 k/ph. Suddenly and unexpectedly the vehicle behind hits you. Whose fault is it? Legally - the person behind you say. Well that's partly true, BUT…
A defensive driver is aware of what is happening 360 degrees around their vehicle. This space is called your "vehicle bubble" and is comprised of 25 metres around your vehicle.
Understanding this space (its officially called "space management") and knowing what is happening in it at all times is not only an important part of defensive driving but also in security training. For obvious reasons - if you don't see it happening, you can't react to it.
Once you know what is happening within your vehicle bubble, you should also be prepared by planning for what may happen in it - expect the unexpected. So what can you do about a rear end shunt? Leave yourself an "out" - enough room between you and the vehicle in front so that IF you have to move forward or out of the way - you can.
Rules of thumb: When stationary, you should be able to see the contact point of the rear wheels of the vehicle in front on the road. When moving, leave two second between you and the vehicle in front.
Moral of this driving lesson - don't box yourself in otherwise you'll be watching it happen and there is not a thing you can do about it.
And remember … if you don't see it coming, you can't react to it.
Mick Farmer is the training coordinator for On Course Uganda Limited. He has spent over 10 years operating in East Africa and Southern Sudan. He is considered a leading expert in 4wd and security driving in this region. He has been called upon to train the UN, WFP and various embassies.
