What is the safe distance for a car?

[Hawthorne]

The safe distance for a car is: 1. Maintain 40 meters when the speed is 40 kilometers per hour; 2. Maintain 60 meters when the speed is 60 kilometers per hour; 3. Maintain 10 meters when the speed drops to 20 kilometers per hour; 4. Maintain 5 meters when the speed is 15 kilometers per hour. The safe distance refers to the necessary gap that the following vehicle maintains with the vehicle ahead to avoid accidental collisions while driving. The methods to judge the distance while driving are: 1. When the lower edge of the rear wheel of the front vehicle is level with the lower edge of the windshield, the distance is about 3 to 5 meters; 2. When the lower edge of the front vehicle's bumper is level with the lower edge of the windshield, the distance is about 2 meters; 3. When the upper edge of the front vehicle's bumper is level with the lower edge of the windshield, the distance is about 0.5 to 1 meter.

[Eloise]

People who have driven for decades say a safe distance means not following the car in front too closely to avoid rear-ending during sudden braking. I prefer the three-second rule: on the highway, pick a landmark, and when the car ahead passes it, count three seconds—if I reach it within three seconds, I’m too close. For example, at 100 km/h, the car travels 28 meters per second, so three seconds equals about 84 meters. In reality, conditions matter—on rainy or foggy days with poor visibility, I increase it to four or five seconds. If the car is older with weaker brakes, I leave even more space. Tire wear has a big impact; good tires can reduce braking distance by over 10%. A common mistake is tailgating when in a hurry, especially near highway exits where misjudgment is easy. Distractions are dangerous too—I barely check my phone, staying focused on the road ahead. Build good habits by practicing during daily commutes. Safety first—it’s okay to go slower, avoiding accidents is the real money-saver.

[DiAutumn]

When teaching driving, I always emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe distance. The best method is the three-second rule—keeping a three-second time gap at your current speed, which is about 50 meters at 60 km/h. However, this isn’t set in stone. On rainy days when the road is slippery and braking distance increases, or when tire grip is weak, you should extend it to four seconds. The condition of the car is also crucial—regularly check the brakes and ABS system to ensure they’re responsive. I also teach students to measure their reaction time; the average is 1.5 seconds, and adding braking time ensures safety. Distractions, like looking at your phone, are the biggest hazards, so I stress keeping both hands on the wheel and scanning the road at all times. In practice, in city traffic, don’t leave too much space to prevent others from cutting in, but on highways, maintain a steady distance. Develop good habits, like checking mirrors and anticipating risks. Safe driving isn’t just about rules—it’s fundamental education for protecting lives.

[VanBrielle]

As an ordinary driver, I pay great attention to safe following distances. I mainly use the three-second rule: when the car ahead passes a fixed point, I count to three - if I don't pass that point within three seconds, it's safe. At 80 km/h, this equals about 40 meters. On rainy slippery roads, I add one or two extra seconds. Proper vehicle maintenance is essential, and regular brake checks save trouble. When distracted, I shorten the distance and prefer driving without music to stay focused ahead. A common misconception is tailgating saves time, but it's actually gambling with lives. Developing good habits means fewer rear-end collisions and more safety.