Question

Difficulty: MediumFollowing Distances and Tailgating

When an impatient driver travels dangerously close behind your car, easing off the accelerator to extend the safety gap to the traffic ahead allows you to brake more progressively if a hazard occurs.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True
The statement is correct because expanding the space between your car and the vehicle in front provides a safety cushion. If a hazard arises, you can apply your brakes gently over a longer distance, giving the tailgater adequate time to slow down safely behind you.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the risk presented by a tailgating vehicle.
Recognised that a tailgater lacks sufficient stopping distance to react safely to sudden braking.
Tailgating drastically reduces the time available for the following driver to react to sudden changes in speed.
2
Evaluate the defensive response of easing off the accelerator to create a larger forward gap.
Creating an extended separation buffer ahead eliminates the need for emergency braking if traffic slows.
A larger forward buffer allows you to decelerate gently and steadily, reducing the likelihood of a rear-end collision.

Key Concept

Defensive management of close followers by extending forward separation distance
Estimated Time:45s
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