The Dangers of Tailgating

Being tailgated can be a terrifying experience for anyone on the road. As drivers work through traffic, some may pull up too closely behind another, not providing nearly enough time for the tailgating car to safely brake. In these situations, a car may rear-end the vehicle in front of it, leading to serious injuries in the ensuing accident.

There are several reasons why a person may tailgate. For most people, tailgating occurs as an accidental result of different traveling speeds. Especially in traffic that is not quite stuck in gridlock, the changing speeds between cars may lead one driver to follow too closely before adjusting to the proper speed. For others, this is not accidental, and tailgating occurs as a method of getting other motorists to pull into slower moving lanes.

Perhaps most dangerously, some tailgaters may follow too closely because of personal motives. Some individuals get extremely angry behind the wheel. However, road rage should never play a role in how a person actually drives. Dangerously, some drivers angered by the way traffic is moving or the way a person has acted may tailgate as a means of revenge.

To prevent tailgating on the road, there are a few easy tips to remember. On a highway, the easiest way to prevent tailgating is to move over into the right-hand lane. These lanes are generally meant to be for turning or slower-moving traffic, allowing faster moving cars to pass by. In cases where the car has no intention of stopping, but is just moving oddly with the flow of traffic, stopping earlier and over a larger expanse of road may be a simple solution.

On a single-lane highway or street, pulling off the road when possible can also help prevent tailgating.

To learn more about a person’s rights if they have been injured by a tailgating driver, contact a car accident lawyer.