distance for cars?

Was in a drive thru line at a fast food joint, could not believe the person driving the SUV in front of us would not get closer than 10 feet to the car in front of them! Since when are we worried about vehicles? It is usually at least 10 feet from the drivers position to the back of a vehicle, so we need another 10 feet on top of that? Was surprised the car did not have a mask on it.