What is one of the main reasons for maintaining a safe following distance?

Maintaining a safe following distance is primarily important to ensure that a driver has enough time to react to sudden stops made by the vehicle in front. When a driver keeps a sufficient gap between their vehicle and the one ahead, they allow themselves extra time to assess the road conditions and respond to unexpected changes, such as rapid braking from the car ahead. This extra reaction time is crucial in preventing rear-end collisions, which are among the most common types of accidents in traffic.

Having a proper following distance provides a buffer zone that compensates for the unexpected behaviour of other drivers, ensuring that when the vehicle in front stops suddenly, the driver can brake safely without any risk of crashing.