If tailgating is dangerous, why does it keep happening?

Maintaining a proper following distance is important. It should typically be about three to four seconds between every vehicle. A closer distance is dangerous because it can lead to an unavoidable rear-end accident when the following vehicle does not have enough time to stop in an emergency.

But despite this risk, you have probably had people tailgate you on a fairly consistent basis. Why does it keep happening if it is clearly so dangerous?

The psychology of rushing

Often, the issue is simply that drivers are in a rush. Tailgating may start because they are hurrying and trying to drive as quickly as possible. The driver ahead of them is not going as fast as they would like, so they tailgate and hope that person will speed up.

But there can also be a psychological component. When someone is in a rush, they see any obstacle in their way as an adversary.

In other words, if you are driving 40 miles an hour through a 35 mph zone, you are already technically speeding by five mph. But someone who is late for work may be trying to drive 50 or 60 mph. They see your vehicle as an obstacle that is impeding their progress, and this can make them irrationally frustrated and angry. This is why tailgating is often connected to road rage, as drivers have an emotional response, rather than logically thinking about driving safely.

Seeking compensation

Have you been injured in an accident caused by a reckless driver? If so, take the time to carefully look into your options to seek financial compensation.