Should you decrease your following distance if someone is following you too closely?

Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial for ensuring both your safety and that of other drivers on the road. When someone is tailgating you, decreasing your following distance is not advisable. In fact, maintaining or even increasing your following distance allows for additional space in case of sudden stops or emergencies. This extra space can provide more time to react and avoid potential collisions.

If you reduce your following distance, it can lead to a higher risk of accidents, especially if you need to brake suddenly. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of a tailgater, it’s better to focus on driving safely and calmly, potentially allowing the tailgating driver to pass when it’s safe to do so. Maintaining a safe distance helps ensure that you have adequate reaction time and space to maneuver as necessary.