What is the following distance at 100 km/h on the highway?
3 Answers
On the highway, the following distance at 100 km/h should be more than 100 meters. According to Article 80 of the 'Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China,' when a motor vehicle is driving on the highway at a speed exceeding 100 km/h, it should maintain a distance of more than 100 meters from the vehicle ahead in the same lane. When the speed is below 100 km/h, the distance from the vehicle ahead in the same lane can be appropriately reduced, but the minimum distance should not be less than 50 meters. Overview: Vehicle speed refers to the distance a vehicle travels per unit of time, commonly measured in kilometers per hour or meters per second. Vehicle speed is one of the three key parameters in traffic flow theory and plays a significant role in traffic flow studies. Additional Information: Vehicle speed can also generally refer to the speed of motor vehicles. To suit different purposes, vehicle speed is mainly categorized into spot speed, segment speed, and design speed. Spot speed is the instantaneous speed of a vehicle passing a specific point on the road. Design speed is the speed established to determine the design indicators of various geometric elements of the road and ensure their coordination.
I've been driving for most of my life, and I always maintain a safe distance when cruising at 100 km/h on the highway. The simplest way is to use the distance markers on the roadside—those small signs marking 0 meters, 50 meters, and 100 meters are very helpful. I make sure to keep at least two hundred-meter markers' worth of distance from the car ahead. On rainy days or when the road is slippery, I add another fifty meters, and for heavily loaded trucks, I keep even farther back. I’ve developed a habit of observing the car ahead early; if I see its brake lights come on, I gradually slow down—never slamming on the brakes abruptly. When overtaking, I always check the rearview mirror to confirm it’s safe, and once I’ve passed, I return to the driving lane while maintaining distance. I remember a decade ago during heavy fog, keeping a two-hundred-meter gap saved me from a multi-car pileup—safe distance truly is a lifeline!
As a driving safety instructor, I emphasize that maintaining a safe following distance is crucial to prevent rear-end collisions. According to current regulations, a minimum distance of 100 meters should be kept when driving at 100 km/h. In practice, I recommend using the three-second rule: select a fixed reference point, and after the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three"—your vehicle should only reach the reference point at that moment for optimal safety. Trainees I've coached have significantly reduced minor collisions by applying this method. Special attention must be paid to road conditions; on wet surfaces where the friction coefficient drops by half, the following distance must be proportionally increased. It's advisable to activate the vehicle's anti-lock braking system (ABS) and anticipate situations in advance. Regularly checking brake pad thickness is also essential—replace them once they're worn past halfway.
