Why Tailgating is One of the Most Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Tailgating, or driving too close behind another vehicle, is incredibly dangerous and a leading cause of rear end collisions across the United States.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident due to tailgating, The Barnes Firm is here to help. Aggressive driving behaviors cause millions of preventable car accidents each year, and these negligent drivers should be held accountable for their actions. For a FREE case evaluation or to have any questions regarding your accident answered, call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000.

What is Tailgating and Why Do People Do It?

Tailgating is when a vehicle follows another vehicle at an unsafe close distance and leaves little room between the front of their vehicle and the back of the vehicle in front of them. Tailgating is a form of aggressive driving and jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the road. Some of the most common reasons drivers tailgate include:

• Impatience. A driver may be running late or in a rush to reach their destination quicker causing them to tailgate the driver in front of them to pressure them to move out of the way or speed up.
• Aggressive driver. Some drivers always have aggressive driving tendencies, leading them to perceive tailgating as a normal driving behavior.
• Retaliation. Drivers may tailgate in retaliation if another driver cut them off or is driving slowly in front of them.
• Distracted driver. When a driver is distracted by their phone, passengers, or another activity that takes their eyes off the road, they may not maintain a safe distance and could be tailgating without even realizing it.
• Traffic. Congested traffic is one of the most common places for tailgating to occur. Drivers may be frustrated with the congestion, causing them to tailgate.

Tailgating is an irresponsible and hazardous driving practice that puts lives are risk every day. If you or a loved one have been injured in a tailgating accident, contact The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation.

Why is Tailgating so Dangerous?

Tailgating is a leading cause of accidents each year across the United States. Most of these accidents are preventable and are caused by aggressive and negligent drivers. Tailgating increases the risk of an accident occurring because it leaves less time to react to the car in front of you, which increases the chance of a collision occurring. Many chain reaction collisions also occur due to tailgating. When a vehicle tailgating hits the vehicle in front of them, that can push the lead vehicle into the vehicle ahead of it, triggering a multivehicle accident.

How Can Tailgating be Prevented?

Everyone on the road should be aware of aggressive driving behaviors and work to help prevent tailgating by:

• Maintaining a safe following distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
• Avoiding aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and cutting off other drivers.
• Using signals when changing lanes, merging, or turning.
• Staying in the right lane unless you need to pass another vehicle.
• Avoiding sudden stops or speed changes, as this can irritate other drivers and increase the likelihood of tailgating.

Remember to always prioritize safety and be courteous to other drivers on the road.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney at The Barnes Firm Today

Tailgating is unfortunately a common occurrence on our roadways. If you or a loved one have been injured in a tailgating accident, contact our team of experienced car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation. With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys will work hard on your behalf to get you the best result possible for your accident case.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes