No, you should not speed up if a truck is following closely behind you. Speeding up to maintain a "safe" two-second gap with the vehicle in front is not safe because it does not address the danger of the truck tailgating you. Instead, the better approach is to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front based on your speed and conditions, and if a large vehicle is tailgating you, take measures such as safely changing lanes or gradually slowing down to encourage the truck to pass. The two-second rule is generally recommended for safe following distance as a minimum buffer to allow reaction time in ideal conditions. For larger vehicles like trucks, the recommended following distance is often longer due to their size, length, and braking characteristics—typically one second per 10 feet of truck length plus additional seconds at higher speeds, and increased distances in adverse conditions. Tailgating trucks need even more space for stopping safely. In summary:
- Do not speed up to increase distance with the car in front if a truck is tailgating.
- Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front (usually more than two seconds, especially for trucks).
- If a truck is tailgating, safely allow it to pass or adjust your driving to reduce the risk rather than speeding up.
This approach ensures road safety for all drivers involved.
