When the road is slippery, how should you manage your following distance?

Managing your following distance on slippery roads is crucial for maintaining control and ensuring safety. Increasing the space in front of your vehicle provides a greater margin for error. When the road is slick, whether due to rain, ice, or snow, vehicles require a longer distance to stop. By keeping much more space in front of your vehicle, you allow yourself the necessary time and room to react if the vehicle ahead suddenly stops or slows down.

In these conditions, stopping distances increase significantly, and maintaining a safe buffer can prevent collisions. This extended distance offers the added benefit of giving you better visibility of the road ahead and any potential hazards that may arise. In contrast, maintaining a normal distance or reducing speed dramatically might not provide the additional safety required in slippery conditions, while staying close to the vehicle in front could lead to an increased risk of rear-end collisions.