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Question

Difficulty: EasyFollowing Distances and Tailgating

If another vehicle is tailgating you on a clear road, tapping your brake pedal sharply is the recommended method to warn the driver to increase their following distance.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
The statement is false. Drivers must never brake sharply or attempt to intimidate a tailgater. Doing so drastically increases the risk of a crash. The safe, standard response is to gradually ease off the accelerator, creating a larger safety gap ahead so that any necessary braking can be gradual.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the immediate physical hazard of brake-checking a tailgater.
Braking abruptly eliminates the tailgating driver's already compromised reaction time, significantly raising the probability of a rear-end collision.
Tailgating vehicles leave insufficient separation distance to react safely to sudden stops.
2
Apply the defensive driving procedure specified in The Highway Code.
The correct action is to ease off the accelerator gradually, widening the safety gap between your vehicle and any traffic ahead.
A larger forward safety cushion ensures that any subsequent braking can be gentle and progressive, protecting both you and the driver behind.

Key Concept

Defensive driver responses to tailgating and separation margin management
Estimated Time:30s
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Topics

Following Distances and Tailgating

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