What is the safe driving distance on highways during snowy conditions?
3 Answers
Regulations stipulate that when visibility is less than 200 meters during snowy conditions, a distance of over 100 meters must be maintained from the vehicle ahead; when visibility is less than 100 meters, a distance of over 50 meters should be kept. Precautions for driving in snow: Winter snow-covered roads have extremely low adhesion coefficients, making wheels prone to skidding. Driving speed should be reduced further, maintaining steady movement and avoiding sudden acceleration. When acceleration or deceleration is needed, the throttle should be pressed or released gently to prevent drive wheels from skidding due to sudden speed changes. How to avoid vehicle skidding: For rear-wheel skidding, turn the steering wheel slowly in the direction of the skid. For four-wheel skidding, maintain power output until the skidding stops. For manual or semi-automatic transmission vehicles, start in 2nd gear or use the transmission's snow mode. Generally, automatic transmission vehicles should engage drive gear and proceed slowly with gentle throttle application.
With over a decade of driving experience in northern regions, I can't stress enough how crucial it is to maintain a safe following distance on highways during snowy conditions. Normally, keeping a 2-3 second gap is sufficient on dry roads, but in snow, you should increase this to at least 5 seconds. Here's how to calculate it: when driving at around 100 km/h, maintain a distance of 100 to 150 meters from the vehicle ahead. This provides enough buffer time to handle sudden braking or skidding. Snowy roads come with higher risks—poor visibility and reduced tire traction—so tailgating is dangerous. If the car in front suddenly changes lanes or gets into an accident, you won't be able to stop in time. For beginners, I recommend practicing this habit: use roadside markers to time your distance. When the car ahead passes a fixed point, count to five before you reach the same spot. Also, remember to turn on your fog lights, reduce speed to about half the posted limit, and avoid hard braking—gradual deceleration is safer. I've seen many accidents caused by impatience in shortening following distances, especially during blizzards. A little patience behind the wheel can truly be lifesaving.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and driving on the highway in snowy conditions makes me a bit nervous. However, my instructor taught me that maintaining a safe distance is crucial. Normally, in dry weather, the following distance should be a two-second interval from the car ahead, but in snowy conditions, it should be increased to four to six seconds because braking distances are much longer on snow. For example, at a speed of 80 km/h, you should leave at least 100 meters of space to prevent accidents. I often remind myself to observe road conditions: if the snow is heavy or visibility is poor, increase the distance even more. Don’t just focus on the car in front; occasionally checking mirrors and weather forecasts is also important. For snowy days, it’s also recommended to switch to winter tires and check if the car lights are working—these small preparations can significantly improve safety. In short, start slowly, stay patient, don’t tailgate, and ensure you have enough reaction time to avoid collisions.
