By: Klon Perez Updated May 2026, 9: 25 am EDT
There are safety elements that are part of our car that we know little about but are essential and can save our lives. One of them is the safety triangle, mandatory in cars and that most people place incorrectly.
Most people place it very close to their car and this often makes the maneuver of whoever avoids us make it harder for you. It cannot be placed just a few steps from where we are stopped.
A good example would be to imagine a car that is going to 30 miles per hour, at that speed it is capable of traveling 14 meters per second. If the reaction time according to studies is 1.5 seconds, that driver will travel 14 meters before avoiding us. And if there is no room to step aside, it will require at least others 25 meters to reach the total height. That’s why you can’t get the triangle so close to the car.
How to place it correctly?
The different security bodies or traffic authorities suggest placing the safety triangles at about 50 meters from the car, that is, about 70 Steps. This allows other drivers to spot the hazard far enough away to change lanes and avoid a potential collision.
It is important that the car is always parked on a bank but with good visibility. In the event that it is not possible in the area and that you are stopped on a curve or a road with a slope that does not allow you to see clearly, the triangle should be placed even further away. A few 215 steps minimum.
If you get stuck on a narrow two-way road, the ideal would be to place two safety triangles. One 50 meters in front of your car and another 50 meters behind, each pointing in the direction of traffic.
It is also advisable to wear a small reflective vest so that if it is night they can see us more easily.
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