What is the standard following distance between vehicles?
4 Answers
When driving on highways, if the speed exceeds 100 kilometers per hour, motor vehicles should maintain a distance of more than 100 meters from the vehicle in front in the same lane. If the speed is below 100 kilometers per hour, the distance can be appropriately shortened, but the minimum distance should not be less than 50 meters. In urban driving, there is no absolute standard for following distance, and it should be judged based on the speed. Additional information about safe following distance is as follows: 1. Definition: Safe following distance refers to the necessary gap that a following vehicle maintains to avoid accidental collisions with the vehicle in front. There is no absolute numerical value for safe distance; it depends on specific circumstances. 2. Theoretical basis: According to the laws of mechanics, a vehicle will continue to move forward for a certain distance during the time it takes to come to a complete stop. If the distance between the vehicle and the one in front is too close, it is very likely to collide with the front vehicle, causing a rear-end accident.
I've been driving for almost 20 years, and maintaining a safe following distance is crucial. The standard method is the 'three-second rule': when the car in front passes a roadside point, you count 'one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three' – if you haven't passed that point by the time you finish counting, you're at a safe distance. This accounts for reaction time; for example, at 60km/h on the highway, you should maintain about 33 meters. But don't be rigid – in rainy weather or slippery roads, I increase it to five seconds; I also extend the distance at night when visibility is poor. New drivers often make the mistake of tailgating, which greatly increases the risk of rear-end collisions. I always remind myself: space is more important than time, especially at busy intersections – don't let the horns behind pressure you. Drowsy driving is even more dangerous; after resting, maintain your distance. Remember, safety always comes first – no one is rushing you to get home.
When I first learned to drive, my instructor taught me about following distance, and I still remember it clearly. The standard is a three-second start, meaning you should leave enough time between you and the car in front to react to any surprises. A simple test: watch the car ahead pass a road marker and silently count '123'—you shouldn’t pass the marker before finishing the count. On the highway, I always keep a greater distance, at least 50 meters or so; in the city at 30km/h, leave at least 15 meters. But as a beginner, I used to make the dumb mistake of thinking tailgating saved time—until one time I almost crashed, which scared me to death. Since then, I’ve developed a habit: during rush hours when traffic is heavy, I ease up a bit; even if there’s music in the car, I don’t let it distract me. The key is mindset—getting home safely is the real win. Try this rule—it really works.
The simplest way to describe the standard following distance is in seconds: maintain a two to three-second gap in most scenarios. Method: focus on a fixed point ahead, start counting '1001, 1002' when the car in front passes it. If you reach the point before finishing the count, slow down. This rule is based on an average reaction time of one second plus a one-second buffer. Actual distance varies with speed: about 14 meters at 50km/h, and 28 meters at 100km/h. Don’t just focus on numbers; adjust flexibly in real situations: shorten slightly in heavy traffic, extend on open roads. Cars with good brakes can afford less margin, but don’t take risks. The core of safety is leaving enough space to avoid sudden braking in emergencies. Maintain this habit to prevent accidents.
