There are four space cushions to pay attention to: what’s ahead of you, what’s behind you, and what’s beside you on the left and on the right. Tailgaters (i.e., drivers who are following you way too closely) are a major cause of collisions. It’s important not to tailgate other drivers, because if the car in front of you stops or slows suddenly, you might not be able to avoid hitting it. If you find cars settling in beside you, make space by slowing down or speeding up if you can.
The zones around your vehicle are your responsibility. Maintaining space cushion control means you are aware of the zones around your vehicle and you keep them as open as possible.
One way to maintain your space cushions is to use the space cushion system. The space cushion system includes five key strategies for defensive driving:
Using defensive driving strategies like the space cushion system will help keep you and those around you safe on the roadway.