When required, why must vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of more than 3,500 kg or vehicles and combined vehicles more than 10 meters long keep a minimum gap of 50 meters?

Question

DentroTest · Accepted Answer

Article 54(2) of the General Traffic Regulations requires vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of more than 3,500 kg and vehicles and combined vehicles more than 10 meters long to keep a minimum gap of 50 meters when following another vehicle without signaling their intention to overtake. Its specific purpose is to allow those following them to overtake them safely. This obligation is in addition to the distance needed to stop without colliding if the vehicle ahead brakes: depending on the speed and road conditions, that distance can be greater. The minimum of 50 meters is not required in built-up areas, where overtaking is prohibited, where there is more than one lane for the same direction, or when traffic is so congested that overtaking is not possible.

When required, why must vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of more than 3,500 kg or vehicles and combined vehicles more than 10 meters long keep a minimum gap of 50 meters?

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