What is the safe distance between vehicles?
2 Answers
The safe distance between vehicles depends on different situations: 1. When the vehicle speed is 60 kilometers per hour, the safe distance between vehicles should be more than 60 meters; 2. When the vehicle speed is 80 kilometers per hour, the safe distance between vehicles should be more than 80 meters. There is no absolute numerical concept for safe distance, as it depends on specific circumstances. The most direct and important factor affecting safe distance is vehicle speed. When the speed increases, the required braking force, braking distance, and the distance traveled at the original speed during the reaction time all increase accordingly. Factors affecting safe distance include: weather conditions, light intensity, driver's vision, braking equipment, road conditions, etc.
Having driven for over twenty years, I know full well that maintaining a safe following distance is key to avoiding rear-end collisions. Generally, we follow the 2-second rule: pick a fixed reference point like a road sign or bridge pillar, and count two seconds from when the car ahead passes it until your own car reaches that point. On highways where speeds are higher, you should extend this to 3 seconds or more, especially in rainy or foggy conditions when braking distances increase significantly. Last time I encountered a traffic jam on the highway, it was caused by someone tailgating too closely, resulting in a chain collision. Since that incident, I’ve made it a habit to keep a much larger distance. Even in city driving at lower speeds, maintain at least one car length, and never get distracted by your phone—otherwise, you won’t react in time. Remember, a safe following distance isn’t a fixed number; adjust it flexibly based on road conditions. Safety comes first—after all, you only have one life.
