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Question

Difficulty: MediumSpace Behind and Tailgaters

A tractor-trailer is traveling along a four-lane divided corridor when an impatient motorist begins riding closely behind the rear bumper. To minimize the hazard created by this close follower, what action should the professional driver take?

  1. A
    Depress the brake pedal intermittently to activate the stop lamps and warn the trailing motorist to back off.
  2. Create a larger safety gap ahead of the tractor-trailer to avoid the necessity of sudden braking.Answer
  3. C
    Increase road speed to match the aggressive pace of the following motorist until separation is established.
  4. D
    Shift into the left passing lane to allow the trailing motorist to undertake on the right side.

Answer

Creating a larger safety gap ahead of the tractor-trailer to avoid the necessity of sudden braking.
Expanding the forward gap provides the commercial driver with a compensatory space cushion. This extra room allows for gentle, progressive deceleration if lead traffic slows, preventing sudden braking that would cause the trailing vehicle to rear-end the trailer.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary hazard of a tailgating vehicle.
Recognize that a vehicle following too closely cannot stop in time if the commercial vehicle brakes abruptly.
Commercial motor vehicles have greater weight and require calculated stopping distances, but the vehicle behind lacks adequate reaction space.
2
Apply defensive space cushion management principles.
Increase following distance in front of the commercial vehicle.
Opening up extra forward space gives the commercial driver sufficient room to brake gently and gradually, allowing the trailing driver time to react without colliding.
3
Maintain predictable lane positioning and vehicle control.
Stay in the right lane and avoid abrupt maneuvers or speed increases.
Keeping to the right encourages the close follower to overtake safely on the left.

Key Concept

Defensive Space Cushion Management Behind Commercial Vehicles
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Space Behind and Tailgaters

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