Final answer:
A space cushion refers to the safe distance maintained around a vehicle to allow for sufficient stopping or maneuvering in emergencies, taking into account factors like reaction time, stopping distance, and road conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A space cushion is the distance you maintain around your vehicle to ensure you have enough room to stop or maneuver in an emergency. When assessing how far away a car must be before it is safe to cross or change lanes, factors such as the driver's reaction time, the vehicle's stopping distance, and the road conditions need to be considered. For a car initially traveling at 30.0 m/s, the stopping distance will vary depending on whether the pavement is dry or wet. In addition, the concept of impulse plays a significant role in vehicle safety, with features such as dashboard padding and airbags designed to extend the time over which force is applied, resulting in less force acting on the vehicle's occupants during a collision.