New Jersey Drivers Practice Test 2025 - Free DMV Practice Questions and Study Guide

Maintaining a space cushion while driving is crucial primarily because it provides sufficient distance between your vehicle and others, allowing for ample time to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions. A space cushion helps in several scenarios, such as when a vehicle ahead of you suddenly brakes, or if a pedestrian unexpectedly steps onto the road. This reaction time can be the difference between avoiding a collision and being involved in one.

While the other options present valid benefits of maintaining distance, they don't capture the most essential reason for having that buffer. Making lane changes safely can indeed be facilitated by a space cushion, and driving more comfortably is a nice advantage, but the overarching principle is the need for adequate reaction time. Proper spacing is fundamentally about safety, providing drivers the space they need to respond effectively to unforeseen circumstances on the road.