Some drivers may get dangerously close to the vehicles in front of them out of frustration. They hope that by getting closer, they can draw the attention of a slow-moving driver and cause them to move to the right or increase their speed.
What drivers may fail to consider in the moment while feeling frustrated is that tailgating or getting too close to the vehicle in front of them could significantly increase their risk of a crash. Tailgating motorists may be responsible for the crashes that result from their risky driving choices.
Drivers need time to respond
When traffic flows in a standard fashion without any disruptions, tailgating may have no actual consequences. However, people never know when something unexpected might happen in traffic. An animal or a pedestrian might step into the road up ahead, forcing other drivers to slam on their brakes. A motorist might need to turn or merge, and they may not use their turn signal to provide adequate notice in advance of conducting those maneuvers.
State law requires that drivers leave adequate space between vehicles to allow them to safely respond to changes in traffic conditions. Most safety experts recommend maintaining a two- or three-second following distance and doubling that during times of inclement weather.
Those who are too close to another vehicle may be unable to stop when it becomes necessary to do so. They may then cause preventable crashes that cause significant property damage and injuries to the people in the other vehicle.
Anyone involved in a rear-end crash caused by tailgating may potentially have grounds to hold the other driver accountable. Proving who was at fault for a rear-end collision, such as a tailgating driver, can help motorists pursue compensation for collision expenses.
