A vehicle distance measuring safety warning system and method is disclosed having one or more distance measurement sensors measuring the distance from the driver's vehicle to a second vehicle immediately in front. A vehicle distance alarm alerts the driver when the distance between the driver's vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a configured minimum distance, indicating an unsafe driving condition. An event record display device displays the time/date or the last twenty occurrences of the distance warning alarm. When an alarm is generated, a throttle set-back actuator operates to gently and automatically slow the car and increase vehicle to vehicle distance. Vehicle brakes may be automatically applied by the system to further slow the vehicle. The vehicle distance measuring safety warning system provides an additional margin of safety for a driver who may be distracted while driving.