What is the consequence of not maintaining a safe following distance?

Not maintaining a safe following distance significantly increases the risk of collision. When a driver follows too closely behind another vehicle, they have less time to react to sudden stops or changes in speed of the vehicle ahead. This can lead to rear-end accidents, which are among the most common types of collisions. A safe following distance allows for adequate reaction time and helps prevent situations where a driver may need to brake quickly, thus reducing the likelihood of an accident.

In contrast, other options such as increased fuel consumption, reduced visibility, and enhanced car performance do not directly relate to the dangers of following too closely. While tailgating may indirectly impact fuel efficiency due to aggressive driving patterns, this is not the primary concern compared to the heightened risk of collision.