Originally Posted by Helmet Head
You didn't hear this from me, but... theoretically, if you're tailgating near the right or left side, as opposed to the center, you can probably move to the side and avoid hitting him in case he suddenly brakes...
But you'll also most likely put yourself closer to the driver's blind spot increasing the chances that he might do something unexpectedly (when considering that amount of time one has to react with 5 feet of clearance at 25mph) like let off the gas or turn.