What is the safe distance between vehicles in meters?
2 Answers
The safe distance between vehicles should not be less than the speed of the vehicle. For example, when driving on a highway at a speed of over 100 kilometers per hour, the safe distance should be more than 100 meters. The most direct and important factor affecting the safe distance is the speed of the vehicle. 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. Maintaining a safe distance requires controlling the speed. The safe distance refers to the necessary gap that the following vehicle maintains with the vehicle in front to avoid accidental collisions while driving. Keeping a safe distance is the most direct and effective method to prevent rear-end collisions.
Having driven for so many years, maintaining a safe following distance has always been a crucial topic. Generally, this distance depends on your speed—the faster you go, the greater the gap needed. The most commonly used method is the 3-second rule: pick a fixed point on the roadside, and if you can count to three after the car ahead passes it before you reach the same point, then it's safe. At 60 km/h, this corresponds to roughly 30 to 50 meters; on the highway at 100 km/h, you should leave at least 100 meters or more. On rainy or foggy days, I double the distance because wet roads increase braking distance. Once on the highway, the gap I maintained saved me from an accident when the car ahead suddenly braked. Remember, a safe following distance isn’t a fixed number—it should be adjusted flexibly based on road conditions, weather, and your own reaction time. Making it a habit ensures safer and more confident driving.
