Final answer:
Maintaining a space cushion between cars allows for a longer reaction time, which can reduce the force of impact in a collision, thereby improving safety by reducing damage and injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is good practice to keep a space cushion (distance between cars in front and back of you) to ensure safety by allowing sufficient time and distance to react to unexpected situations. This concept ties back to the principle of impulse in physics, which states that a longer collision time can result in a smaller force exerted, reducing the risk of injury or death. Cars are designed with crumple zones and safety features like airbags and padded dashboards to increase the duration of a force's impact in the event of a collision, thus lessening the force and protecting the occupants. Similarly, maintaining a space cushion gives you a larger time margin to stop or maneuver around obstacles, thereby lessening the chances of a high-impact collision where the force exerted could cause more severe damage or injuries.