Editing Tailgating

{{Short description|Unsafe driving practice when a driver follows another too closely}}
{{About|following too closely while driving|the sports pastime|Tailgate party|other uses|Tailgate (disambiguation){{!}}Tailgate}}

[[File:Tailgating.jpg|thumb|A typical example of tailgating. The first car is being followed very closely by another.]]
'''Tailgating''' is the action of a driver driving behind another vehicle while not leaving sufficient distance to stop without causing a [[Traffic collision|collision]] if the vehicle in front stops suddenly.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.drivingtests.co.nz/resources/tailgating-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-dangerous/|title=What is tailgating and why is it dangerous|newspaper=Driving Tests Resources |date=2014-03-20}}</ref>

The [[Assured clear distance ahead|safe distance]] for following another vehicle varies depending on various factors including vehicle speed, weather, visibility and other road conditions. Some jurisdictions may require a minimal gap of a specified distance or time interval. When following heavy vehicles or in less than ideal conditions (e.g. low light or rain), a longer distance is recommended, due to increased reaction times and stopping distances<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-12 |title=Heavy vehicle following distances |url=https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/heavy-vehicle-following-distances/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) Resources |language=en-US}}</ref> or because fatigue is most prevalent in long distance lorry driving.<ref>[https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/eu-road-safety-policy/priorities/safe-vehicles/archive/heavy-goods-vehicles_en Live, work, travel in the EU - Heavy goods vehicles]</ref>

==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>

==Hazards of tailgating==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}

Tailgating can be dangerous to the tailgater, especially if they are driving closely behind a large vehicle (such as a [[tractor-trailer]], or gas tanker). By tailgating, the driver has a shorter distance to stop, decreases the margin of error and blocks the awareness of surroundings.

If the leading vehicle decelerates suddenly (such as when encountering a traffic jam, [[traffic lights]], avoiding pedestrians, etc.), the tailgater has a high risk of causing a rear-end collision, for which in insurance terms, they would always be held responsible. [[Brake check|Brake checking]] is an exception to this, in which case the leading vehicle is generally the one held liable for damages.

In many jurisdictions, a two second gap is recommended between any two successive moving vehicles, characterised in many countries by the slogan, "only a fool breaks the two second rule."

==Prevention==
{{See also|Two-second rule|Following distance}}
[[File:M11_-_keep_apart_two_chevrons_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2640925.jpg|thumb|Anti-tailgating signage and pavement markings in the United Kingdom]] 
Tailgating causes most rear-end crashes in South Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-06-30 |title=Tailgating Campaign |url=http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/rss/content/safer_people/road_users/tailgating_campaign.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805192158/http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/rss/content/safer_people/road_users/tailgating_campaign.htm |archive-date=2012-08-05 |website=transport.sa.gov.au}}</ref> Some motorways in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia feature certain road markings which can help resolve this problem. Consisting of an arrangement of chevrons, these remind the driver not to tailgate, and assist in the [[two second rule]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-18 |title=Road markings to ease tailgating |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/road-markings-to-ease-tailgating-24270683.html |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Public goods vehicle license training in Britain states that lorries should increase the 2 second gap to the vehicle in front to 3 seconds when being tailgated to ensure that emergency braking can be a little gentler, to compensate for the tailgating vehicle behind having eaten up its own reaction time to almost nothing.

In Germany, tailgating is punishable with a fine of up to €400. In case of gross [[negligence]], one or more [[Point system (driving)|penalty points]] are given and the driver's license may additionally be immediately suspended for up to 3 months.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/abstand/?gclid=CO2ckuGVycMCFanMtAodpwkAcw |title= ''Abstand und Abstandsvergehen'' |trans-title= Distance and Distance Offense |year= 2015 |access-date= 4 February 2015 |language= de}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://archive.today/20120805192158/http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/rss/content/safer_people/road_users/tailgating_campaign.htm Tailgating Information] (Government of [[South Australia]])
*[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC19970627056 TRAFFIC AND CRIMES AMENDMENT (MENACING AND PREDATORY DRIVING) BILL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120906/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC19970627056 |date=2007-09-29 }} ([[New South Wales]] parliament [[Hansard]] transcript where tailgating is noted as being an offense under the new legislation).
*[http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/behaviors/aggressive/tailgating.htm Tailgating Information] ([[Wisconsin]] Department of Transportation)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061002062935/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/2dots2safety/faq.htm "Two Dots to Safety" campaign] (operating in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Europe]], but also in [[Pennsylvania]], [[Minnesota]], [[Maryland]], and [[Washington (state)|Washington state]])
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070208033821/http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/services/Driving_in_Singapore/Information/roadsafety/safetyadvice.htm  Police Force safety advice] ([[Singapore]])
*[http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/199805/26/0526098.htm Report on an anti-tailgating operation] (by the [[Hong Kong]] police)
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{{Traffic law}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hazardous motor vehicle activities]]