What does the three-second rule in driving mean?
2 Answers
The three-second rule means taking action within three seconds after spotting a target. Three-second rule: China's road traffic regulations require maintaining a distance of 100 meters from the vehicle ahead when driving on highways. However, this distance is difficult to judge, especially when there are no distance markers on the sides of the road. This is where the three-second rule comes into play. Simply find a landmark on the road, and when the vehicle ahead passes it, count to three silently in your mind. If your vehicle passes the same landmark before you finish counting to three, you need to increase the distance from the vehicle ahead. Pay attention to speed: Prepare to slow down before approaching an intersection and always be ready to decelerate. Road conditions in China can be very complex, especially with the prevalence of electric vehicles. Extra caution is necessary when driving, as not everyone strictly follows traffic rules. When you spot an intersection, place your foot on the brake pedal in advance. You don't have to press it immediately, but you should be prepared to do so.
The three-second rule is the most commonly used safety mantra by experienced drivers like me who have been driving for over a decade. Here's how it works: Pick a fixed reference point on the road, such as a utility pole or road sign. When the car in front passes this point, start counting 1001, 1002, 1003. If your car reaches the reference point only after finishing the count, it means you're maintaining a safe distance. If you reach it by 1002, you're following too closely. The brilliance of this method lies in its automatic adaptation to speed changes – the distance naturally extends at highway speeds and shortens during slow urban driving. During heavy rain on long trips, I extend the count to five seconds because braking distance nearly doubles in wet conditions. This habit has helped me avoid at least three rear-end collisions.
