What is the minimum following distance on highways?
3 Answers
When driving on highways, if the vehicle speed exceeds 100 kilometers per hour, the driver should maintain a distance of more than 100 meters from the vehicle ahead in the same lane. If the speed is below 100 kilometers per hour, the distance can be appropriately reduced, but the minimum distance should not be less than 50 meters. Precautions for driving on highways: 1. Do not exceed the speed limit: Maintaining a safe speed is the most important guarantee for safe travel on highways. Serious traffic violations such as speeding are major causes of traffic accidents. 2. Do not change lanes arbitrarily: Changing lanes randomly on highways can easily disrupt traffic order, causing following vehicles to fail to avoid danger in time. 3. Avoid following large vehicles: If you follow large vehicles on highways, your view will be blocked, making it impossible to observe the road conditions ahead. If you must follow, slow down and increase the safe distance, and look for an opportunity to overtake when it is safe.
As a veteran driver with over ten years of experience, I can tell you that maintaining a safe following distance on the highway is absolutely crucial. The minimum should be at least 100 meters. This rule isn't arbitrary—consider that at high speeds, 100 meters gives you at least two seconds of reaction time. In poor visibility conditions like rain or fog, you should increase the distance to around 150 meters. I've seen numerous accidents caused by tailgating, where the car in front suddenly brakes and the following vehicle doesn't have enough time to react, resulting in a rear-end collision. And that's not all—when driving heavier vehicles, you need to extend the distance even further. Having driven large trucks myself, I know their greater inertia means you need at least 150 meters to be safe. In short, adhering to the 100-meter rule is responsible for both yourself and others, and it can save you some repair costs too.
I just got my driver's license a few months ago. I remember my instructor taught me that the minimum following distance on the highway is 100 meters, and never shorten it. During driving school practice, we simulated high-speed scenarios. If the distance was less than 50 meters, a sudden brake could lead to an accident, ranging from a scare to a collision. The instructor also said this distance is a function of speed—at 80 km/h, it should be around 80 meters, but the minimum is always 100 meters. When commuting on the highway, I always check the rearview mirror to estimate and ensure enough space between cars. On rainy days when the road is slippery, I slow down and increase the distance, and I avoid distractions like using the AC. Developing good habits applies to both beginners and experienced drivers to prevent mishaps.
