What is the safe following distance for cars?
3 Answers
When driving on highways, i.e., at speeds above 100km/h, the safe following distance should be more than 100 meters. For fast driving, i.e., at speeds above 60km/h, the safe following distance should be numerically equal to the speed; for example, at 80km/h, the safe distance is 80 meters. For medium-speed driving, i.e., at around 50km/h, the safe following distance should not be less than 50 meters. For low-speed driving, i.e., at speeds below 40km/h, the safe following distance should not be less than 30 meters. For very slow driving, i.e., at speeds below 20km/h, the safe following distance should not be less than 10 meters. Following distance considerations: The faster the speed, the greater the distance between vehicles should be. Generally, the distance between vehicles should be approximately equal to the speed in kilometers per hour. For example, at 60 km/h, the longitudinal distance should not be less than 60 meters. Highways have distance measurement signs to help drivers estimate the distance to the vehicle in front, but this rule may not be suitable for crowded urban roads. For instance, driving at 30 km/h on a crowded road while maintaining a 30-meter distance might allow other vehicles to cut in. In such cases, if the road ahead is clear and the traffic conditions are visible, you can reduce the distance appropriately to prevent other vehicles from cutting in.
As an experienced driver with years of driving under my belt, I believe safe following distance depends on the specific situation, and the key is to use the 'two-second rule' for a simple judgment: pick a fixed point, like a road sign or tree, and after the car in front passes it, count 'one thousand and one, one thousand and two' before you pass that point—that's the safe distance. At higher speeds, this distance naturally increases; for example, at 80 km/h, about 40 meters is enough, but at 120 km/h on the highway, it should be extended to over 60 meters to prevent rear-end collisions during sudden braking. Rainy or foggy conditions make it worse due to poor visibility and slippery brakes, so I usually double the distance. Once on the highway, I was following too closely and almost crashed—since then, I've made it a habit, especially in traffic jams, not to rush and to leave some space. Accidents can be avoided this way, and since life is priceless, we must always stay vigilant. In short, adjust flexibly based on speed and weather conditions—keeping safe is the real skill. After decades of driving, this trick has helped me make fewer mistakes.
I just got my driver's license. During driving lessons, my instructor always reminded me not to follow too closely and taught me the two-second rule for calculating a safe distance: after the car in front passes a reference point, wait two seconds before you pass it—that's the golden standard. I've tried maintaining about 100 meters at 120 km/h on the highway because at high speeds, braking distances are longer, and it's easy to rear-end someone if you're not careful, especially when changing lanes or encountering sudden braking. On rainy days, I'm even more cautious, increasing the distance to three times the usual, as visibility is poor and the road is slippery. New drivers often fear being cut off and tailgate, but this increases the risk of accidents, and dealing with repairs after a collision is even more troublesome. Now, I always remind myself to focus on road markers and count the seconds, gradually developing good habits. During city commutes, don't rush—safety first, be patient, and keep practicing.
