What is the safe following distance on highways during snowy conditions?
4 Answers
When driving on highways during snowy conditions, the increased rolling resistance on snow-covered roads and the obscured road surface make it difficult for drivers to discern directions. It is essential to adjust your speed and maintain a safe following distance based on visibility. Below are the recommended guidelines based on visibility levels: 1. When visibility is less than 200 meters: Speed should not exceed 60 km/h, and maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from the vehicle ahead in the same lane; 2. When visibility is less than 100 meters: Speed should not exceed 40 km/h, and maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from the vehicle ahead in the same lane; 3. When visibility is less than 50 meters: Speed should not exceed 20 km/h, and exit the highway at the nearest available exit as soon as possible.
I remember years ago driving on the highway in heavy snow during winter, and I suffered because I was following too closely—I almost rear-ended the car in front. Since then, I’ve always emphasized increasing the following distance to at least four to five seconds in snowy conditions, compared to just two seconds in dry weather. The method is simple: pick a fixed point, like a utility pole, and start counting "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three, one-thousand-four" as soon as the car ahead passes it. Your car should only reach that point after you finish counting. In terms of distance, at 100 km/h, it’s best to maintain 80–100 meters of space—on snowy roads, braking distance can triple compared to normal conditions. I prefer reducing speed to 60–70 km/h for better stability, keeping low beams on all day for visibility, and checking tires for wear, switching to winter or all-season tires if needed. Snowy roads are slippery, and accidents are common—keeping a greater distance gives you a buffer for reaction time. Don’t rush and take risks. Practice caution, because getting home safely is worth more than saving a little time.
When driving on highways in snowy conditions, I always leave an extra-large gap—never underestimate that distance. Normally, I maintain a two-second following distance, but on icy or snowy roads, I double it to at least four seconds. At 100 km/h, I keep a 100-meter gap to feel safe. I pick a reference point like a billboard and count to four seconds after the car ahead passes before following. I also reduce my speed to below 70 km/h to avoid sudden braking and skidding, turn on my headlights so the car ahead can see me clearly, and switch to winter tires or check tire pressure to prevent loss of control. Highways in snow are extremely slippery, with braking distances much longer than usual—ignore tailgaters and prioritize safety first. Use your phone for GPS alerts, but don’t rely solely on tech; your eyes are better at judging distance. Drive extra carefully in winter—fewer accidents mean a better life.
When driving on highways in snowy conditions, it's essential to increase the following distance due to reduced friction from ice and snow, which significantly lengthens braking distances. I recommend maintaining a time interval of four to six seconds: choose a landmark, start counting when the preceding vehicle passes it, and wait at least four seconds before passing the same point yourself. In terms of distance, maintain a minimum of 80 meters at 100 km/h, with 120 meters or more being more stable. Additionally, keep your speed between 60-80 km/h, use your lights to increase visibility, and opt for high-grip tire models. In slippery conditions, maintaining a greater distance helps avoid the risks of sudden braking and lane changes, reducing the chance of accidents.
