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

Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial for safe driving, particularly in a commercial vehicle. Decreasing your following distance in response to another driver who is tailgating creates additional risks. It can lead to a reduced reaction time and increase the likelihood of collisions, especially if the vehicle in front has to stop suddenly.

By keeping an appropriate following distance, you ensure that there is enough space to react to changing conditions on the road. This distance allows for more time to brake or maneuver if necessary, which is vital in avoiding rear-end collisions – one of the most common types of accidents involving trucks.

While it may be tempting to adjust your distance if someone is too close, doing so will generally increase the danger rather than mitigate it. The best practice is to maintain a steady and safe distance from the vehicle in front, regardless of the behavior of drivers behind you.