What is the standard for following distance?

[VonLilliana]

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.

[DiIsabela]

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.

[McHadley]

The core of maintaining a safe following distance is prioritizing safety and never being careless. The general rule is that the faster the speed, the greater the distance should be—recommending a reaction gap of three to four seconds. For example, if the car ahead suddenly stops on the highway, this gives you enough buffer time to avoid a collision. Additionally, many factors must be considered: sunny conditions are fine, but on rainy days with slippery roads, the distance should be doubled; at night with poor lighting, it's best to extend it by another half; when fatigued, extra caution is needed, increasing the distance to prevent distracted driving accidents. The key is to anticipate road conditions in advance—don't just focus on the car ahead, but also observe the movements of surrounding vehicles. When I was learning to drive, I was told that tailgating is a common cause of accidents and can save on insurance costs. Experience has taught me that proactive adjustments are the way to go.

[Morgan]

When driving, I always adjust the following distance based on the situation: on highways, keeping a four-second gap is more reliable, using a fixed point to time it; in city traffic jams, relax a bit but don't tailgate, maintaining about one car length; in rainy conditions when it's slippery, double the distance is a must; in heavy fog with poor visibility, leave extra room; at night or on winding mountain roads, I proactively slow down and increase the distance. The key is to develop the habit and not rely on feelings, reminding myself before each drive that safety comes first. This approach has helped avoid many minor scrapes.

[DelOmar]

From a regulatory perspective, the standard following distance is generally the three-second rule: maintain over 10 meters at low speeds and at least 50 meters on highways. Driving tests emphasize this, such as doubling the distance for every 10 km/h increase in speed; vehicle performance also matters, with older cars requiring longer braking distances. However, in actual driving, I prioritize personal judgment—don’t blindly wait for regulations, timely response is more critical. In bad weather, proactively increase the buffer to ensure you can stop. This protects both yourself and others.