Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic

Richard Peszleg; Tibor Cseke; David Jozsa; Mate Ihasz

doi:10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630

Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic

Abstract

The study examines the observance of safe following distances under real traffic conditions. Maintaining an appropriate following distance plays a key role in accident prevention, as it gives drivers sufficient time to perceive hazards and react appropriately. To record empirical data, a rear radar sensor was installed on the test vehicle, which continuously measured the distance and speed of the vehicle behind. This method allowed for a detailed analysis of how the following distance changes as a function of speed. The collected data was compared with the minimum safety requirements based on reaction time and braking performance described in the literature. The comparison shows the extent to which actual driver behavior deviates from the recommended safety standards. Although modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, the vast majority of vehicles in Hungary are not yet equipped with such systems. As a result, road safety depends largely on individual driver decisions and compliance with the rules. The results highlight the potential accident risks arising from inadequate following distances, especially in everyday traffic situations where drivers often underestimate the distance required for a safe stop. The measurement result show that most drivers following distance is shorter than the average stopping distance. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of domestic driving habits and provides a basis for the development of road safety campaigns, driver training programs, and possible regulatory measures. Overall, the results emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe following distance as a simple, cost-effective, and efficient means of improving road safety.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Automotive Safety Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Richard Peszleg ^*
0009-0000-3436-0782
Hungary

Tibor Cseke
0009-0002-1808-2975
Hungary

David Jozsa
0009-0006-5513-6812
Hungary

Mate Ihasz
0009-0004-3298-0362
Hungary

Early Pub Date

December 16, 2025

Publication Date

December 28, 2025

Submission Date

September 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 11, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 5 Number: 1st Future of Vehicles Conf.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA56NN52NK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Peszleg, R., Cseke, T., Jozsa, D., & Ihasz, M. (2025). Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic. Engineering Perspective, 5(1st Future of Vehicles Conf.), 14-17. https://doi.org/10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630

AMA

1.Peszleg R, Cseke T, Jozsa D, Ihasz M. Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic. engineeringperspective. 2025;5(1st Future of Vehicles Conf.):14-17. doi:10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630

Chicago

Peszleg, Richard, Tibor Cseke, David Jozsa, and Mate Ihasz. 2025. “Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic”. Engineering Perspective 5 (1st Future of Vehicles Conf.): 14-17. https://doi.org/10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630.

EndNote

Peszleg R, Cseke T, Jozsa D, Ihasz M (December 1, 2025) Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic. Engineering Perspective 5 1st Future of Vehicles Conf. 14–17.

IEEE

[1]R. Peszleg, T. Cseke, D. Jozsa, and M. Ihasz, “Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic”, engineeringperspective, vol. 5, no. 1st Future of Vehicles Conf., pp. 14–17, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630.

ISNAD

Peszleg, Richard - Cseke, Tibor - Jozsa, David - Ihasz, Mate. “Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic”. Engineering Perspective 5/1st Future of Vehicles Conf. (December 1, 2025): 14-17. https://doi.org/10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630.

JAMA

1.Peszleg R, Cseke T, Jozsa D, Ihasz M. Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic. engineeringperspective. 2025;5:14–17.

MLA

Peszleg, Richard, et al. “Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic”. Engineering Perspective, vol. 5, no. 1st Future of Vehicles Conf., Dec. 2025, pp. 14-17, doi:10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630.

Vancouver

1.Richard Peszleg, Tibor Cseke, David Jozsa, Mate Ihasz. Analysis of Following Distance Measurement and Compliance in Road Traffic. engineeringperspective. 2025 Dec. 1;5(1st Future of Vehicles Conf.):14-7. doi:10.64808/engineeringperspective.1791630