Two-second rule two seconds as inadequate, and recommend a three-second rule. German law requires a minimum 0.9 second distance but when tested under relaxed conditions researchers found that their test subjects spent 41% of the test time at following distances under 0.9 second. The United States National Safety Council suggests that a three-second rule—with increases of one second per factor of driving difficulty—is more appropriate. Factors that make driving more difficult include poor lighting conditions (dawn and dusk are the most common); inclement weather (ice, rain, snow, fog, etc.), adverse traffic mix (heavy vehicles, slow vehicles, impaired drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.), and
Two-third rule than freight trains. On such tracks, the two-third rule applies to freight trains. The two-third rule means that the speed limit for a freight train is generally about two-thirds of the speed limit for an EMU. For example, the Dartford Loop Line has a speed limit of 60 mph for EMUs between Lee and Crayford. A freight train on this track is therefore limited to two-thirds of 60 mph, i.e. 40 mph. Two-third rule Two-third rule is British railway safety rule. For safety reasons, speed limits are imposed on trains running on a railway line. Many factors can affect the