developing your smart driving skills Total stopping distance  is the distance your  vehicle will travel from  the moment you notice a  hazard until the moment  your vehicle stops. You  need time to see, think  and do before your brakes  even begin to slow your  vehicle. Braking distance  depends on your speed,  your vehicle and road  conditions. Always allow  enough following distance.  What do you do when someone is tailgating you? You can’t  control the space behind you in the same way as the space in  front. But it’s a good idea to slow down slightly to increase your  space in front. This way, if you have to stop, you can stop more  gradually and there will be less chance of the person behind  crashing into you. Other options are to move into another lane  or to pull over to the side and let the tailgater pass.  Keep at least one metre of clear space on each side of your  vehicle while you’re driving. When you’re passing pedestrians,  cyclists or other vehicles, allow as much room as possible — at  least one metre, and more if you are going at a faster speed.  Increase your side space margins even more when visibility or  road conditions are poor.  If you are turning left off a  highway onto a driveway  or side road, watch your  mirrors and make sure  you have plenty of space  behind. The cars behind  may not be prepared to  slow down for you.  By looking ahead, keeping  good space margins and  anticipating road hazards,  you can avoid sudden  stops and changes in  speed. These safe driving  habits also save fuel.  Try to leave yourself an  escape route when you  are driving on a multi- lane highway. Then, if  something happens in  front, you can pull into  another lane to avoid  trouble. On a multi‑lane road, the right  lane is often the safest one to  choose. It keeps you away from  oncoming traffic and it’s less  likely that another driver will  tailgate you.  When you’re deciding where  to position your vehicle in the  lane, there are several things to  consider:  Lane position  driving tip Space beside  warning! Space behind  74 • on a two‑lane road, stay fairly  close to the centre line so  other vehicles do not move  into your lane space • in the curb lane, stay well  away from hazards on the  side, such as car doors that  might open • in most lanes, drive near the  centre of the lane • avoid driving in other drivers’  blind spots. 