safe distance
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safe distance
The minimum distance that must be maintained between vehicles, people, or objects in order to avoid accidents or danger. It is especially important in road traffic.
Der LKW-Fahrer hielt den vorgeschriebenen Sicherheitsabstand zum Auto vor ihm nicht ein.
The truck driver did not maintain the required safe distance from the car in front of him.
The word is composed of three parts: 'die Sicherheit' (safety/security), the linking '-s-', and 'der Abstand' (distance). So it literally describes a distance that ensures safety.
Ein ausreichender Sicherheitsabstand kann Leben retten.
A sufficient safe distance can save lives.
'Sicherheitsabstand' (safe distance) is very often used with the verb 'einhalten' (to maintain/observe). Other typical verbs are 'wahren' (to preserve/maintain), 'vergrößern' (to increase), or 'verringern' (to reduce).
Bitte halten Sie immer den Sicherheitsabstand ein.
Please always maintain the safe distance.
To express what the distance is being kept from, German uses the preposition 'zu' followed by the dative.
Halten Sie mindestens zwei Meter Sicherheitsabstand zu anderen Personen.
Keep at least two meters of safe distance from other people.
minimum distance
Both words refer to a distance maintained for safety reasons. Mindestabstand emphasizes the smallest permitted or recommended distance. Sicherheitsabstand highlights protection from danger and may be chosen larger depending on the situation.
Bei starkem Regen hält Mia einen größeren Sicherheitsabstand zum vorausfahrenden Auto.
In heavy rain, Mia keeps a greater safe distance from the car in front.
Bei normalem Wetter hält Mia den empfohlenen Mindestabstand zum vorausfahrenden Auto ein.
In normal weather, Mia maintains the recommended minimum distance from the car in front.
