What is the safe distance between cars?
2 Answers
The safe distance between cars varies depending on the speed: 1. When the speed is above 100 kilometers per hour, the safe distance should be more than 100 meters; 2. When the speed is above 60 kilometers per hour, the safe distance should be equal to the speed, for example, at 60 kilometers per hour, the safe distance should be more than 60 meters; 3. When the speed is 50 kilometers per hour, the safe distance should be more than 50 meters; 4. When the speed is below 40 kilometers per hour, the safe distance should be more than 30 meters. The safe distance between cars is the necessary gap that the following vehicle maintains to avoid accidental collisions with the vehicle in front while driving.
As a veteran truck driver with decades of experience, I place great importance on maintaining safe following distances. In my younger years, I once rear-ended another vehicle on the highway due to following too closely. Since then, I've strictly adhered to the 3-second rule: I pick a roadside marker, count '1001, 1002, 1003' after the vehicle ahead passes it, and only then should my own vehicle reach that point. Under normal conditions, 2-3 seconds is sufficient, but this translates to 15-20 meters at 60km/h and at least 30 meters at 100km/h. In heavy rain or on icy roads, I increase this to 4+ seconds - maintaining over 50 meters distance. These aren't rigid rules; vehicle weight and road conditions matter too. I make it a habit to check tire pressure and brakes before driving, and would advise new drivers to avoid phone distractions. Maintaining this practice has kept my accident record clean - it's worth trying for everyone.
