Dangers of Tailgating

When driving, you are supposed to leave a three-second gap between you and the vehicle in front of you. That’s the law and it’s also a safe practice. However, drive out on any roadway and you’ll see drivers right up on the rear-end of vehicles. This is called tailgating and it is illegal. It can result in tickets and fines. It is also unsafe and in extreme cases, it can result in serious or even fatal accidents.

Millions of people tailgate every day and this is a very bad habit. Following too closely is dangerous, as drivers face a high risk of rear-ending a vehicle when they are following less than three seconds behind the vehicle in front of them. When drivers have to stop abruptly, tailgaters have little time to react and brake. This often leads to a domino effect of accidents. A single crash caused by following too closely can trigger a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles. This often results in more severe accidents, major injuries, and a higher chance of fatalities.

Following too closely to the vehicle in front of you is asking for trouble, but fortunately there are some ways you can avoid a tailgating accident. Here’s what to do if you are tailgating or being tailgated.

If You Are Tailgating

The first step is being self-aware. If you know you are too close to the vehicle in front of you, back off. Keep a safe driving distance. Make it a point to put at least 10 feet per each 10 miles per hour between you and the car in front of you. So if you are driving 50 miles per hour, a safe driving distance would be about 50 feet. You can also keep a safe distance by traveling at least three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. You should double this distance during fog, rain, snow, and other adverse driving conditions.

If You Are Being Tailgated

If you are being tailgated, there are some steps you can take to reduce your chance of being rear-ended. Most tailgaters are impatient and want to get around slower-moving traffic on the roadways. If possible, move to a different lane and allow tailgaters to pass. If you can’t, maintain the speed limit and try to move over when possible. If you’re a slower driver, it’s best to stay in the right-hand lane of traffic and use the left lane only for passing.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

When driving, you need to leave adequate space between your vehicle and others. When you drive too closely, you are tailgating, which can lead to citations, accidents, injuries, and more.

A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can help you deal with the effects of a car crash. We’ll assist you with physical and financial recovery. To schedule a free consultation, call 281-347-3247 or fill out the online form.

Source:

infinityauto.com/knowledge-center/road-safety-advice/dangers-tailgating-and-how-avoid-it