What is the standard for following distance?
2 Answers
When a motor vehicle is traveling on the road at a speed exceeding 100 km/h, it should maintain a safe distance of at least 100 meters from the vehicle in front. If the speed is below 100 km/h, a minimum safe distance of 50 meters should be maintained to ensure normal driving. When driving at low speeds below 40 km/h, the safe following distance should not be less than 30 meters. For very slow speeds below 20 km/h, the safe distance should be at least 10 meters. When driving a motor vehicle, it is essential to maintain sufficient safety distance. This is particularly important during rainy or snowy seasons when roads become slippery, increasing braking distances. Drivers should reduce speed in advance to avoid potential safety hazards. Motor vehicles on the road must comply with the Road Traffic Safety Law and adhere to local traffic restrictions and license plate policies to prevent violations. Each traffic violation poses certain risks, and vehicle owners should take care to avoid them.
Having driven for many years, I find the standard for following distance quite straightforward—it's mainly about avoiding rear-end collisions. The 'three-second rule' is the most practical method: pick a reference point, like when the car ahead passes a road sign, and start counting seconds; you should reach the same point only after counting to three. On highways, increase the distance at higher speeds—for example, at 100 km/h, leave at least 50 meters of space. In city traffic jams, don’t tailgate; half a car length is enough. The key is to constantly check the rearview mirror and stay aware of road conditions, so you have reaction time even if the car ahead brakes suddenly. Remember, in bad weather like rain or fog, double the distance, as braking distances lengthen, making it riskier otherwise. Developing this habit saves a lot of hassle, and I practice it subconsciously every time I drive.
