What is a key benefit of maintaining a safe following distance?

Maintaining a safe following distance is essential for reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions. When you leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, it gives you ample time to react to any sudden stops or slowdowns. This extra distance helps you to gauge the speed of the vehicle ahead and anticipate changes in traffic conditions. If the vehicle in front of you must stop unexpectedly, having a safe following distance allows for sufficient reaction time to brake safely, thus minimizing the chances of a collision.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the primary benefit of maintaining this distance. Driving faster would not be a safe practice and can lead to dangerous situations, while changing lanes is more related to awareness of surrounding vehicles rather than following distance. Lastly, while demonstrating caution might be inferred by other drivers when you maintain a safe distance, the primary advantage is the significant reduction in collision risk, particularly rear-end accidents.