How many meters should the warning triangle be placed on the highway?

[KimberlyAnn]

The warning triangle should be set up 50-100 meters behind the vehicle, and the clearance lights and rear position lights should also be turned on at night. Below is relevant information about highway warning triangles: 1. Legal basis: According to Article 60 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," if a motor vehicle breaks down or is involved in a traffic accident on the road, obstructing traffic and making it difficult to move, the hazard warning lights should be activated as required, and a warning sign should be placed 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle. At night, the clearance lights and rear position lights should also be turned on simultaneously. 2. Function: When a driver notices a warning triangle ahead, they need to go through a process of detection, clearly seeing the warning signal ahead, taking measures to brake, slow down, and yield. Taking a car traveling at 100 km/h as an example, it usually requires at least 10.8 seconds of reaction time or at least 350 meters of distance. This requires the warning triangle to have strong reflectivity so that the driver can see it immediately.

[Lucian]

I remember the year I first started driving, I had a tire blowout on the highway and in a panic, I only placed the warning triangle 50 meters away. Later, I learned from experienced drivers how dangerous that was—on highways, vehicles typically travel at over 100 km/h, giving drivers behind less than 5 seconds to react. Placing it 150 meters away provides at least 10 seconds of buffer to avoid rear-end collisions. My lesson: when stopping due to a breakdown, first turn on the hazard lights, then carefully walk about 150 meters backward wearing a reflective vest to place the triangle. Using road lane markings as a reference is even better—each segment is about 50 meters, so walking past three segments is the standard distance. Always keep a spare warning triangle in the car and ensure its reflective layer isn’t damaged. Beginners should practice placing the triangle in parking lots to build the habit—safety first, don’t cut corners like I did and risk danger.

[MacAriel]

Having driven on highways for nearly 20 years, I always feel at ease only when placing the warning triangle 150 meters away in case of a breakdown. Many people place it too close, just 50 or 100 meters, which makes me nervous – given the high speeds on highways, 150 meters allows sufficient braking distance for following vehicles. My simplified measurement method is counting steps: an average person's stride is about 70 cm, so 200 steps reach the ideal distance. Using a tape measure or smartphone GPS for precise measurement is even better. In rainy or foggy conditions, increase the distance to 200 meters due to reduced visibility. Always face oncoming traffic when placing the triangle, walk slowly for safety, and retreat to the roadside promptly afterward. Don’t forget to regularly check the triangle’s reflective function and store it in a dry place to prevent rust. A piece of advice: you’ll learn it properly after placing it just once – never overlook details, as life is more precious than time.

[VanRowan]

From a safety perspective, the placement distance must ensure sufficient reaction space for following vehicles. High-speed driving exceeds 100 kilometers per hour, meaning nearly 30 meters of movement per second; the recommended 150-meter standard provides over 5 seconds of buffer time. Placing it too close, such as 50 meters, can directly cause accidents. Choose a straight section of the road for placement, using roadside references like guardrails to measure. Complement this by turning on hazard lights and wearing reflective vests—these measures comprehensively reduce risks. Regularly verify the reflective effectiveness of the warning triangle and replace old ones promptly; safety is paramount. Adhering to this distance can prevent over 90% of secondary collision tragedies, making it a habit to protect yourself and others.

[DiWilliam]

From a regulatory perspective, placing a warning triangle 150 meters behind the vehicle is mandatory for highway breakdown stops, as clearly stipulated by China's Road Traffic Safety Law. Violators face a 200 yuan fine and penalty points—I've witnessed spot-check cases. The 150-meter distance is scientifically calculated, equivalent to three lane-marking segments. In practice, prioritize referencing official distance markers and ensure the triangle is securely positioned facing traffic. Increase spacing to 200 meters for special circumstances like curves or nighttime for full compliance. Maintain hazard lights after placement and evacuate safely. Remember: these regulations exist to save lives—prompt handling reduces accident rates. Never trigger chain reactions through negligence; lawful driving ensures long-term safety.