What Do Car 'Ma' and Speed Mean?
2 Answers
Here is the relevant introduction about car 'Ma' and speed: 1. 'Ma': It is a colloquial term that actually refers to driving speed. It represents the distance a car travels in one hour. Originally, 'Ma' is a unit of length, primarily used in the UK, its former colonies, and Commonwealth countries. As a unit of length, 1 'Ma' equals three feet, which is 0.9144 meters. 2. Vehicle speed: It refers to the distance a car travels in a unit of time, commonly referred to as speed, with units typically being kilometers per hour or meters per second. Vehicle speed is one of the three parameters used to describe traffic flow and holds significant importance in the study of traffic flow theory. Vehicle speed can also broadly refer to the speed of motor vehicles. To suit different purposes, vehicle speed is mainly categorized into spot speed, segment speed, and design speed.
Actually, the term 'car speed in yards' that we often mention is a misconception. Many people think 1 yard equals 1 kilometer, but that's completely wrong. A yard is actually an imperial unit of length, where 1 yard is approximately only 0.9 meters. The numbers displayed on the speedometer are in kilometers per hour or miles per hour, and domestic vehicles in China mostly use kilometers per hour. For example, a speed of 60 kilometers per hour means the car can travel 60 kilometers in one hour. This speed number is particularly important—exceeding the speed limit by 10% could result in a ticket, and driving too fast in rainy conditions can easily lead to skidding. I always keep an eye on the dashboard while driving, usually maintaining a speed between 100-120 km/h on highways for optimal fuel efficiency. Driving too fast is dangerous because you might not be able to stop in time in case of sudden emergencies.
