A mnemonic device
taught by my high school driver's education
instructor. Guides a driver in maintaining the correct stopping distance
behind another vehicle at an intersection. Basically, we were taught to pull up
until the top of the hood
of our car just appeared to touch the spot where the rear tires
of the car in front of us contacted the pavement
Of course, this was back in the day of boatlike American cars, before front-wheel drive, transverse-mount engines, and hoods that drop away to nothing. If I apply the tire concept today, I'm practically rear-ending the car in front of me.