What is the Safe Following Distance Between Vehicles?
3 Answers
Here are the specific details regarding safe following distances: 1. High-speed driving: When the speed exceeds 100km/h, maintain a safe distance of over 100 meters. 2. Rapid driving: When driving above 60km/h, the safe distance in meters should equal your speed; for example, at 80km/h, keep 80 meters distance. 3. Medium-speed driving: At around 50km/h, maintain at least 50 meters distance. 4. Low-speed driving: Below 40km/h, keep a minimum distance of 30 meters. 5. Crawling speed: For speeds under 20km/h, maintain at least 10 meters distance.
When it comes to maintaining a safe distance, after driving long distances for over a decade, my deepest realization is that you should never tailgate on highways. On regular roads with speeds below 60km/h, it’s best to keep a two-second gap—pick a fixed roadside point, and after the car ahead passes it, count two seconds before you reach the same spot. In congested city traffic, you can follow a bit closer, but increase the distance during rain or at night when tire grip weakens and braking may cause skidding. I always remind new drivers to use a dashcam to monitor the gap, which significantly reduces rear-end collision risks. Additionally, when the vehicle is heavily loaded, braking distance increases, so extra space is necessary. Safety always comes first—better to drive a bit slower than to rush and take risks.
Hey, I'm an ordinary working-class car owner who commutes in the city every day, and maintaining a safe following distance is absolutely crucial. During traffic jams, getting too close can easily lead to rear-end collisions. I follow a simple rule: half the speed in km/h multiplied by three gives the distance in meters—for example, at 40 km/h, keep 20 meters. However, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a lifesaver in emergencies, which is why my car is equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB). One more thing: when the weather changes, like during fog, haze, rain, or snow, the distance should be doubled because reaction times slow down. I recommend regular brake system checks and maintaining proper tire pressure to ensure timely stops. Installing a safe driving app on your phone is also quite helpful.
