What is the safe following distance in meters?

[OLyla]

When the vehicle speed is above 100 km/h, the safe following distance should be more than 100 meters; when the speed is above 60 km/h, the safe following distance should be equal to the speed value (e.g., 60 km/h = 60 meters); at 80 km/h, the safe distance is 80 meters; when driving around 50 km/h, the minimum safe distance should not be less than 50 meters; for speeds below 40 km/h, maintain at least 30 meters. Safe following distance refers to the necessary gap a trailing vehicle must keep with the preceding vehicle to avoid accidental collisions. There's no absolute numerical standard for safe distance—it depends on specific conditions. Generally, higher speeds and heavier vehicles require longer safe following distances.

[StThomas]

On my daily commute, I often remind myself of the importance of maintaining a safe following distance. Generally, there's no fixed meter measurement for a safe distance—it depends on speed and road conditions. For example, on the highway at 90 km/h, I use the 'two-second rule' to judge: pick a fixed point, start counting two seconds after the car in front passes it, and if my car reaches that point exactly at two seconds, it's just right. This roughly translates to about 80 meters. In the city at 30 km/h, 10 meters is sufficient. However, on rainy or foggy days, the distance should be doubled because braking distance increases on slippery roads. I've also noticed that following large trucks is more dangerous, so I leave extra space to avoid sudden braking by the vehicle ahead. In fact, tailgating is a common cause of rear-end collisions—I once had a close call but managed to brake in time. Developing this habit daily not only protects myself but also makes other drivers on the road feel more at ease. Regularly checking the rearview mirror and adjusting my pace accordingly has proven quite effective.

[DelIsla]

As a driver with years of experience, I believe safe following distance should be adjusted flexibly based on speed. The basic rule is: the higher the speed, the greater the distance. For example, maintain at least 25 meters at 50 km/h, 70 meters at 80 km/h, and over 100 meters at 100 km/h. Remember, braking distance includes both reaction time and actual stopping distance – typically 1 second reaction time, with distance doubling rapidly at higher speeds. In rain or snow when road friction decreases, I increase the distance by 50%, especially during icy conditions. Vehicle condition matters too – worn brake pads or low tire pressure extend stopping distance, so regular maintenance reduces risks. On highways, I maintain a three-car-length buffer zone. The golden rule: never rush, leave ample space to avoid collisions. Since adopting this habit, my accident rate dropped significantly, making daily driving much more secure.

[Grover]

My young friends who drive love to play with car technology, and maintaining a safe distance is much easier with modern tools. The car is equipped with adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts the distance to the vehicle in front—usually set to 50 meters at moderate speeds and over 80 meters on highways. However, it's important to note that sensors can malfunction or fail in bad weather, so you can't rely entirely on the system. In actual driving, I still take control myself: using a mobile app to time the distance or checking navigation prompts for vehicle spacing. When driving fast in the city, I leave at least a 20-meter gap; on the highway, I aim for 100 meters or more. Interestingly, some smart systems can even adjust warnings based on weather conditions. The key takeaway is that technology is just an aid—human supervision is crucial. Stay alert, avoid distractions like phones, and this is far more effective than just watching the meter count.