Tailgating - Top 6 Reasons
What is Tailgating?
Tailgating, when driving, refers to the practice of driving too closely behind another vehicle. This behavior can be dangerous for several reasons:
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Reduced Reaction Time: The closer you are to the vehicle in front of you, the less time you have to react if that vehicle suddenly slows down or stops.
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Increased Risk of Collision: If the driver ahead has to make an emergency stop, a tailgating driver may not have enough time to stop or swerve, leading to a rear-end collision.
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Driver Stress: Tailgating can cause the driver in front to feel pressured and stressed, which may lead to erratic driving behaviors.
To maintain safe driving conditions, it is generally recommended to follow the "two-second rule." This rule suggests that you should stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This distance should be increased in adverse weather conditions or when driving at higher speeds.
Causes of Tailgating - Impatience
Impatience: Drivers in a hurry often tailgate because they want the vehicle in front to move faster or change lanes, especially in heavy traffic or when running late.
Perhaps they have had a bad day or an argument with a loved one, perhaps they are running late for an important hospital appointment or to collect the children
Rather than take it personally just stay relaxed and if the other car is in a rush to get past you - Just let them
Unawareness
Unawareness: In some cases, drivers might not realize they are tailgating. They may be distracted or simply not paying enough attention to their following distance.
You may have been a passenger in a friend or relatives car and been pressing that invisible brake pedal or chosen to sit in the back and not look what's going on in front of us as we hope for the best.
Traffic Conditions
Traffic Conditions:
In congested traffic, maintaining a proper following distance can be challenging, leading to unintentional tailgating as vehicles frequently slow down and speed up.
Driver can suddenly change lanes or need to stop because of yellow box junctions or people crossing the road, so suddenly for the traffic further back, everybody is suddenly bunching up together
Weather
5 – Weather conditions - Weather conditions have a significant impact on tailgating (following too closely) when driving. Here’s how different weather conditions affect this practice: Sun Glare: Reduced Visibility: Sun glare can temporarily blind drivers, making it difficult to see the vehicle ahead. This can result in rear-end collisions if tailgating.
Reaction Time: Glare can slow down reaction times as drivers struggle to see brake lights and other signals.
In all these conditions, maintaining a safe following distance is crucial to allow for adequate reaction time and to reduce the risk of collisions. Adjusting driving behaviour to suit the weather conditions can significantly enhance safety on the road.
Inexperience
Inexperience:
Inexperienced or young drivers might lack the skills or knowledge to judge safe following distances, resulting in unintentional tailgating.
Our Driving
Although not an excuse for people to keep tailgating us, sometimes the reason can be our own driving
Not knowing or Not doing the speed limit if safe to – If you are going 30 mph in a 40mph when there is no need, then the cars behind are going to be coming up behind you at 40, then having to brake to slow down to your speed.
Remember on your driving test, to travel to slowly is just as much a fail, as to go too fast! Going slowly when there’s no need causes congestion, road rage and drivers trying to overtake when it may not be safe too.
Being in the wrong lane on a dual carriageway or motorway -
On dual carriageways to be in the right hand lane when there is no traffic or road markings to say otherwise you should drive in the left hand lane.
Highway Code Rule 137: On a two-lane dual carriageway you should stay in the left-hand lane. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. After overtaking, move back to the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so.
On motorways the same rule applies but people tend to stay in the middle or right hand lane. Staying in the middle lane when the left lane is empty is known as Middle-Lane Hogging
According to rule 264 of the Highway Code:
"You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slow-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past."
For many drivers, middle-lane hogging ranks high among the most frustrating driving habits. It's a source of irritation that seems to transcend the typical annoyances encountered on the road.
Staying in the middle lane forces drivers in the left-hand lane to make multiple lane changes to overtake, increasing the risk and effort required. Instead of a straightforward overtake, they need to cross two lanes to avoid 'undertaking'.
Understanding these reasons can help in addressing and mitigating tailgating behaviours on the road.