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Question

Difficulty: EasySpace Behind and Tailgaters

If another driver is tailgating your commercial vehicle, you should speed up to create separation.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is False. Commercial drivers must never speed up when being tailgated.
According to official CDL defensive driving guidelines, you must never speed up to get away from a tailgater. Doing so only makes any potential crash happen at a higher, more hazardous speed. Instead, drivers should maintain steady control, provide extra following room ahead, and facilitate passing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the driver's proposed response to being tailgated
The statement proposes accelerating to create space behind the truck
Commercial driving safety standards evaluate specific driver actions when managing trailing vehicles
2
Evaluate the safety hazard associated with accelerating when followed closely
Speeding up causes the tailgater to follow at higher, more dangerous speeds rather than backing off
Higher speeds multiply stopping distance and crash severity if sudden braking is required
3
Determine the correct defensive driving procedure
The correct response is to keep a greater cushion of space in front and allow the vehicle behind to pass safely
Creating extra forward space prevents the need for abrupt braking that could trigger a rear-end collision

Key Concept

Defensive Management of Space Behind and Tailgaters
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Space Behind and Tailgaters

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