What is tailgating?

No, we aren’t talking about a party here. Tailgating is driving too closely behind another vehicle. This is a dangerous behavior that can lead to serious accidents and injuries.

Reasons Why People Tailgate

• Aggressive Driving or Road Rage
  As a way of expressing anger and frustration or in an attempt to intimidate the driver in front of them, a driver will drive especially close.
• Being in a Hurry, Running Late
  A driver is running behind and is trying to get to their destination faster.
• Impatience
  A driver feels that the vehicle in front of them is going too slow.
• Driving Distracted
  A driver isn’t paying attention to the space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.
• Ignorance
  A driver is unaware that tailgating is an unsafe driving behavior.

Why Tailgating is Such a Dangerous Habit?

• Reduced Response Time and Increased Risk of Rear-end Collisions
  A driver tailgating does not have enough time needed to slow down or stop without running into the vehicle in front of them.
• Road Rage Incidents
• Decreased Vision
  This is especially true behind trucks, which have large blind spots and can cause more damage in the event of a collision.

Reduce Your Risk When Someone is Tailgating You

You are driving along and when you glance in your rearview mirror, you notice that driver behind you is right on your bumper, what should you do? Speed up? Slam on your brakes? Follow these tips:

• Increase the Follow Distance Behind the Vehicle in Front of You
  This gives you more time to stop if an emergency arises.
• Be Aware of the Speed Limit
  It could be that you are driving too slow for the posted speed zone and therefore are creating the hazard.
• Let the Tailgater Pass
  When it is safe to move over, signal your intentions so the tailgater doesn’t try to pass you at the same time.
• Remain Calm
  Don’t esclate the situation, emotional driving can lead to making impulsive decisions that you will regret later.