What is the following distance when driving below 100 km/h on a highway?
3 Answers
When driving on a highway at a speed below 100 km/h, the following distance should not be less than 50 meters. Relevant regulations: 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 a highway at a speed exceeding 100 km/h, it should maintain a distance of more than 100 meters from the vehicle in front in the same lane. When the speed is below 100 km/h, the distance from the vehicle in front in the same lane can be appropriately reduced, but the minimum distance should not be less than 50 meters. Relationship between visibility, speed, and following distance: Visibility less than 500 meters but greater than 200 meters: speed should not exceed 80 km/h, and the following distance should be more than 150 meters. Visibility less than 200 meters but greater than 100 meters: speed should not exceed 60 km/h, and the following distance should be more than 100 meters. Visibility less than 100 meters but greater than 50 meters: speed should not exceed 40 km/h, and the following distance should be more than 50 meters. When visibility is less than 50 meters: vehicles are prohibited from entering the highway.
I've been driving for many years and found that on highways, if the speed is below 100 km/h, say 80 or 90, it's best to keep a following distance of at least 50 meters. The reason is simple: the car in front might brake suddenly due to an unexpected situation, and you need enough space to react and slow down. Personally, I follow the three-second rule: pick a landmark, start counting when the car in front passes it, and only pass it myself after three seconds to ensure safety. In rainy or foggy conditions, increase the distance to over 70 meters because braking effectiveness is reduced. Regular maintenance of the brake system is also crucial—don't wait until there's a problem to regret it. Safety always comes first. I often remind new drivers not to follow too closely; once it becomes a habit, it won't feel troublesome.
When I was learning to drive, the instructor always nagged that on highways below 100 km/h, don't slack off—maintain at least a 50-meter distance. At first, I didn't take it seriously and relaxed when the highway was empty. Later, I almost rear-ended a car that braked suddenly, which made me realize the importance of distance. In actual driving, slower speed doesn't necessarily mean safer; short reaction times can still be dangerous in emergencies. Now, I always follow the three-second rule—counting seconds is more accurate than eyeballing. Plus, different vehicles behave differently; SUVs brake slightly slower than sedans, so I adjust the distance accordingly. Avoiding distractions like phones or adjusting the stereo and staying focused always makes for a safer drive.
