Abstract: A laser transmitter is configured to transmit a laser beam at an object, and a laser receiver is configured to receive a reflection of the laser beam. A speed sensor is connected to a vehicle speedometer system and receives vehicle speed information from the vehicle speedometer system. A processing unit receives laser pulse data from the laser receiver and road condition data from a road condition switch, and the vehicle speed information from the speed sensor. The processing unit calculates a relative speed of the object with respect to the vehicle, a distance from the object to the vehicle, and a relative acceleration of the object with respect to the vehicle. The processing unit further calculates a safe following distance based on the road condition data and the vehicle speed information, and compares the safe following distance to the actual distance from the object to the vehicle.