When visibility is less than 200 meters, what should the speed and distance between vehicles be?
2 Answers
According to Article [X] of the Road Traffic Safety Law, when visibility is less than 200 meters, maintain a distance of more than 100 meters from the vehicle ahead in the same lane, and the speed should not exceed 60 km/h. Turn on fog lights, low beams, clearance lights, and front and rear position lights. When driving on highways under low-visibility weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, highway management authorities should display speed limits and distance-keeping reminders via electronic signs. A safe following distance refers to the necessary gap maintained by a trailing vehicle to avoid unexpected collisions with the vehicle ahead. When driving on highways under low-visibility weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, the following rules must be observed: When visibility is less than 500 meters but greater than 200 meters, turn on low beams, width markers, and rear fog lights; speed must not exceed 80 km/h; maintain a following distance of more than 150 meters. When visibility is less than 100 meters, turn on fog lights, low beams, clearance lights, front and rear position lights, and hazard warning flashers; speed must not exceed 40 km/h, and maintain a distance of more than 50 meters from the vehicle ahead in the same lane. When visibility is less than 50 meters, turn on fog lights, low beams, clearance lights, front and rear position lights, and hazard warning flashers; speed must not exceed 20 km/h, and exit the highway at the nearest available exit as soon as possible. Precautions for driving in fog: Use lights properly. In foggy conditions with low visibility, fog lights and clearance lights must be turned on, while high beams are prohibited. High beams project light upward, which gets scattered by the fog, creating a white glare in front of the vehicle that impairs visibility. Fog lights have high penetration and make the vehicle clearly identifiable. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead—do not follow too closely or overtake recklessly. This ensures sufficient reaction time to avoid rear-end collisions. Frequently use the horn to signal your position.
Having driven for decades, I am extra cautious when visibility drops below 200 meters in foggy conditions. In such situations, it's best to reduce speed to around 60 kilometers per hour, avoid speeding, and maintain a following distance of at least 50 to 100 meters. I remember when I was younger, driving on the highway with too little distance, I almost rear-ended the car in front. Since then, I've made it a habit to turn on my fog lights so other drivers can see me, turn off cruise control, and stay focused on the road. The same approach applies to similar conditions in rain or snow. The key is to stay calm and patient—getting home safely is what matters most. Always leave extra room when driving normally to avoid accidents due to delayed reactions. Driving in such weather tests your skills, but with experience, it becomes smoother.
