Tailgating when driving occurs when you’re too close to the car in front of you. It’s a dangerous driving habit that increases your risk of being involved in an accident. Maintaining a safe driving distance gives you enough time to react if the car you’re following stops suddenly. But many drivers don’t realize how much space they should leave to reduce the risk of an accident.
People tailgate for many reasons, but none is worth jeopardizing your safety and the safety of those around you. Here are some of the most common reasons drivers don’t maintain a safe driving distance.
They’re in a hurry and stuck in traffic
People are often rushing from one place to another. They may tailgate because they’re in a hurry and don’t want to be late. If you’re in stop-and-go traffic, prepare to adjust your speed frequently to avoid tailgating the vehicle in front of you.
They’re distracted or don’t realize they’re too close
There’s no shortage of things to distract drivers these days. If you’re too distracted to drive safely, pull over until you can give the road your full attention. Some drivers may not know they aren’t maintaining a safe distance. Use the “three-second rule” as a starting point to help you gauge whether you’re too close to the vehicle in front of you – keep reading to learn more about the “three-second rule.”
Impatient and frustrated drivers may follow too closely hoping to intimidate the car in front of them into speeding up. Learn more about how to deal with tailgaters when driving.
What are the dangers of tailgating while driving?
Rear-end collisions comprise 40% of all crashes that occur each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tailgating increases your risk of being involved in an accident. In many cases, if you rear-end someone, you will be at fault for the accident. And a single at-fault accident could raise your auto insurance rate.
What is a safe distance between cars?
The National Safety Council recommends using the three-second rule to keep enough space between you and the car you’re following. With the three-second rule, you’re always at least three seconds behind the car in front of you. You can check your distance by locating an item on or near the road, such as a street sign or telephone pole. When the car in front of you reaches that point, begin counting. If it takes you less than three seconds to reach the same spot, you’re too close.
A three-second distance is generally enough distance if you’re driving in ideal conditions, but sometimes more space is better. It’s a good idea to maintain a safe driving distance when road conditions aren’t ideal, or visibility is reduced. It’s also good to keep a safe driving distance even when the car behind you is tailgating or if you’re towing something.
How to avoid tailgating
Here are some strategies to help you avoid tailgating if you sometimes find yourself following the car in front of you too closely.
Keep your distance: Use the three-second rule to help you maintain a safe following distance. If you need to, increase the space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Maintain a consistent speed: Maintaining a constant speed makes it easier to keep a safe distance. Consider using cruise control to keep your speed steady if you’re on the highway.
Use caution: When you’re changing lanes or approaching an intersection, be extra careful to leave enough room between you and the cars around you.
Remain patient: It’s easy to let frustrations on the road get the best of you, but that can lead to tailgating and other aggressive driving behaviors that can put you and other drivers at risk.
Tailgating is a term often used to describe when drivers don't maintain a safe distance. If you're following another car too closely and the car in front of you brakes suddenly, you may not be able to stop in time to avoid a crash, so it's best to avoid tailgating.
when driving occurs when you're too close to the car in front of you. It's a dangerous driving habit that increases your risk of being involved in an accident. Maintaining a safe driving distance gives you enough time to react if the car you're following stops suddenly.
What is tailgating? Tailgating is a term often used to describe when drivers don't maintain a safe distance. If you're following another car too closely and the car in front of you brakes suddenly, you may not be able to stop in time to avoid a crash, so it's best to avoid tailgating.
Tailgating — or a tailgate party — is a social get-together that usually takes place in the parking lot of a stadium, arena, or venue before an event starts. The pre-game party typically includes music, food, (alcoholic) beverages, and games to kick off what's sure to be an unforgettable day.
Tailgating attacks are where an attacker follows an unaware user to gain access to an area without authorization. In contrast, in a piggybacking attack, an employee or ex-employee knowingly provides unauthorized individual access to a protected environment as part of a coordinated attack.
You can check your distance by locating an item on or near the road, such as a street sign or telephone pole. When the car in front of you reaches that point, begin counting. If it takes you less than three seconds to reach the same spot, you're too close.
Tip #3 - Communicate. Sometimes, tailgaters do not realize they are driving too close or making you uncomfortable. In this case, you can try to communicate with them politely and calmly. You can use your turn signals, flash your brake lights, or tap your horn lightly to signal them to back off.
Tailgating another vehicle is incredibly dangerous because you have little time to slow down if the lead driver hits the brakes. That is why road safety advocates and regulators recommend keeping at least a few seconds of distance between your car and the car in front of you.
They give fans of a particular team or artist a chance to unwind, connect, and build energy for the sporting event or concert itself. By the time tailgating fans arrive to the game, they are charged and ready to cheer on their team.
Tailgating is an act most drivers have experienced at some point. Whether you've been the victim or perpetrator of closely following a car in front of you, it is often considered risky and unsafe as a lapse in concentration could lead to a serious car accident.
To stop tailgating, avoid cutting off other drivers in traffic. Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to stop if necessary. Remember that the vehicle may not be able to stop as fast as you can stop with your vehicle.
The best way to deal with a tailgater is to stay away from them in the first place. Remain alert to other drivers' behaviors on the road. If you spot someone driving dangerously close to another car up ahead or in a lane beside yours, look for a clearing in traffic so you can stay as far away as possible.
If you're too close to the tailgate of the truck in front of you, you're tailgaiting. Another informal use of tailgate is "party in the back of a truck," especially in the parking lot of a sports arena: "Let's tailgate before the big game tomorrow!" Definitions of tailgate. verb. follow at a dangerously close distance.
Yes, it's a form of bullying. The tailgater is trying to bully you into driving faster. (A few are just idiots and don't know what a safe following distance is - doesn't matter - treat them the same way.) It's illegal, and extremely dangerous - for both the tailgater and the tailgatee.
While tailgaters can be annoying and dangerous, follow our tips on how to spot and deal with them to make your driving experience safer and more enjoyable. Also, make sure you and your vehicle are covered with the right insurance for you.
Use the three-second rule to ensure a safe following distance and avoid a collision. Following other vehicles at a safe distance gives you enough time to react if another driver makes a mistake. If a vehicle merges in front of you too closely, take your foot off the accelerator.
What are examples of tailgating attacks? Here are a few typical tailgating examples: The intruder asks someone to "hold the door." The attacker poses as a delivery person or vendor, demanding access while bringing supplies, parcels, meals, or other items.
When this is the case, you should slow down. While slowing down may seem like the last thing you should do—as tailgating is often a signal that the other driver wants you to move faster—slowing down is usually the safest thing.
In most states, tailgating as a traffic infraction can result in fines, driving record points, or even license suspension. However, when tailgating transitions into a form of road rage, it falls under the heading of reckless or negligent driving. This carries much steeper penalties and is definitely illegal nationwide.
Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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On the Road 3 min read