Editing Tailgating (section)

==Causes==
There can be several reasons for tailgating.

===Preventing cut ins===
Tailgating can occur when a vehicle attempts to prevent another vehicle on the right or left from cutting in front of them. The tailgating (or preventing) vehicle will drive as close as possible to another leading vehicle to prevent the side vehicle from cutting in. Like all forms, this practice of tailgating is illegal and attempts to force the side vehicle to slow down and get into the line of traffic behind the tailgating vehicle. This practice may provoke [[road rage]] where one vehicle is blocking and another attempts to defy the block.{{cn|date=January 2022}}

===Negligence===
Tailgating can occur because of a lack of perceived risk in so doing. Thus, it is done unconsciously or negligently, very often by people who consider themselves safe drivers and generally obey some other rules of the road. Evidence shows that more experienced drivers are more likely to be involved in [[rear-end collision]]s, possibly because they overestimate their skill and become complacent about allowing sufficient distance to avoid an accident.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/licence/driver-qualification-handbook-english.pdf |title=rms.nsw.gov.au |access-date=2015-01-26 |archive-date=2020-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301125609/https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/licence/driver-qualification-handbook-english.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Coercion===
In its most uncivil form, it can be a case of [[Road rage (phenomenon)|road rage]] or [[intimidation]]. An example would be where the tailgating driver (the driver in the following vehicle) threatens damage to the leading vehicle and its occupants by driving aggressively{{snd}}perhaps also with use of headlights and horn{{snd}}to coerce the leading vehicle's driver into getting out of the way. The driver being tailgated might not wish to comply, especially if doing so would involve breaking the law, such as by increasing speed beyond the [[speed limit]] or changing lanes without due regard for safety.<ref>{{Cite web |title=State of Florida.com {{!}} Driving in Florida |url=https://www.stateofflorida.com/defensive-driving/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=www.stateofflorida.com}}</ref>

===Aerodynamics===
A form of deliberate tailgating known as [[slipstreaming]], "draft-assisted forced stop", or "draft-assisted forced auto stop" (D-FAS) is a technique used by some [[Hypermiling|hypermiler]]s to achieve greater fuel economy. D-FAS involves turning off the engine and gliding in neutral while tailgating a larger vehicle in order to take advantage of the reduced [[Drag (physics)|wind resistance]] in its immediate [[Wake (physics)|wake]].<ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/01/king_of_the_hypermilers-4.html motherjones.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110041001/https://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/01/king_of_the_hypermilers-4.html |date=2007-01-10 }}</ref> Note that this practice is extremely dangerous: while tailgating itself is inherently risky, the danger of collision is increased with D-FAS as power for [[brake|power brakes]] can be lost after a few applications of the brake pedal and, with older cars, the pressure that causes [[power steering]] to function can be lost as well.<ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/01/king_of_the_hypermilers-2.html motherjones.com], King of the hypermilers-2 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070109232407/https://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/01/king_of_the_hypermilers-2.html |date=2007-01-09 }}</ref>

===Trailing and columns===
Tailgating may occur when the drivers of two vehicles do not want to be separated, the vehicles are in a procession (e.g. funeral), or the vehicles are maintaining a formation for security purposes (e.g. escorting a dignitary or a dangerous prisoner).<ref>{{cite book|last1=McManus|first1=John|title=Tactical Emergency Medicine|date=2008|page=223}}</ref> Another sphere wherein tailgating has been observed is among drivers who are in a hurry, or other public road activity whose prerequisite is urgency or [[Psychomotor agitation|agitation]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hennessy|first1=Dwight|title=Contemporary Issues in Road User Behavior and Traffic Safety|date=2005|page=74}}</ref>