Drivers who follow too closely are not leaving adequate room to stop. When this happens, the car in the back can crash into the back of the first. Rear-end collisions can be severe, particularly when the vehicles are traveling at high speeds. If the tailgating driver can swerve out of the way, they could easily crash into something else. Rear-end collisions can also cause a chain reaction, leading to a multi-car pileup.
Rear-end collisions are not the only kinds of crashes that tailgating causes. The driver in front might become nervous, switch into another lane too quickly, and hit an oncoming vehicle.
Why Do Drivers Tailgate?
Tailgating causes about 33 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, and that percentage increases substantially for drivers with six or fewer years of experience. In Control Crash Prevention Training recommends the three-second rule for safety, but this should increase in bad weather and poor road conditions.
People tailgate for different reasons, but a common one is impatience. They want to reach their destination sooner, and the car in front is not going fast enough. This frustration causes them to creep up closely to intimidate the other driver.
Slow-moving traffic also leads to tailgating. For some reason, drivers think that reducing the following distance will help them move faster. Other drivers are distracted by their phones, under the influence, or daydreaming and do not realize how close they are.
How Should I Handle a Tailgater?
Tailgaters frustrate other drivers, but retaliation is ill-advised because of the possibility of a severe confrontation. The safest move is putting on the blinker, changing lanes, or letting the tailgater speed by. If their behavior is dangerous, have a passenger contact the police or pull over and do it yourself. These drivers are hazardous for everyone on the roads and highways.
If you are driving behind someone who is driving below the speed limit, breathe and maintain a safe following distance. Change lanes whenever possible.
A Middletown Car Accident Lawyer at Mikita & Roccanova Can Offer a Free Consultation on Your Tailgating Accident
Tailgating accidents can happen in seconds, but the consequences can be long-term. Reach out to a skilled Middletown car accident lawyer at Mikita & Roccanova if you were involved in a tailgating crash, and we can fight to protect your rights. Complete our online form or call us at 732-705-3363 to schedule a free consultation. Located in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients in Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, Middlesex County, and Pennsylvania.