What is the effect of increasing following time when being followed closely?

Increasing following time when being followed closely helps enhance safety by creating additional space that can be crucial for reaction during driving. By maintaining a longer following distance, you give yourself more time to respond to potential hazards or sudden stops from the vehicle in front of you. This buffer can be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of rear-end collisions.

It also allows for better visibility and braking distance, thereby ensuring that you can stop safely without the stress of potential impact from the vehicle trailing closely behind. This is especially significant in scenarios where traffic conditions may change rapidly, enabling you to react more effectively to vehicles that may be slowing down or obstacles that may appear in your path.

In contrast, while other options touch on aspects of driving behavior, they do not address the fundamental benefit of maintaining more space to react, which is crucial for roadway safety.