Tailgating is something you will see every time you head onto the roads. Nevertheless, it’s not something you should be seeing. Driving too close to the vehicle in front of a motorist is a significant contributor to crashes, with 29% of all crashes in 2019 having involved tailgating, for example.
Why do so many drivers continue to do it?
Lack of awareness of safe following distances
Did you know that three seconds is the minimum recommended following distance? Do you know what that looks like in real life? Many drivers do not. Remember, too, that it’s the absolute minimum, and if conditions are less than perfect, you need to increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, perhaps considerably.
Distraction
Tailgaters often don’t realize they are tailgating. They might not even realize there is a car in front of them at all. People so easily get distracted when driving that they fail to keep a sufficient eye on the road ahead. Even if they are aware that there is a vehicle close in front, they might not be alert enough to notice when it slows, so the distance suddenly becomes much less.
Impatience or aggression
Some drivers intentionally tailgate. They believe that hugging the fender of the car in front puts them in prime position to nip past that vehicle as soon as a space appears. They’ll typically do this when they are in a hurry.
Others do it out of sheer aggression. They believe they can bully the driver in front to get out of their way, or they may be taking out their anger on that driver, whether because of something they perceive the driver did, or something entirely unrelated.
If a tailgater hits you, the results could be devastating. Learning how best to hold them responsible for the compensation you need is important. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to get started.
