Tailgating is a hazardous activity that leads to many car accidents per year. However, many motorists engage in this risky driving behavior. Even though they know better, their impatience or inattentiveness tempts them to follow too closely.
This article will examine what tailgating is, how it causes accidents, and practical steps drivers can take to prevent or deal with this dangerous driving habit. Continue reading to learn more about tailgating and your legal options if you’re in a tailgating accident.
What Is Tailgating?
Texas law requires drivers to follow at a safe distance based on vehicle speed, traffic volume, and road conditions. A driver tailgates when they follow too closely based on the circumstances under which they’re traveling.
More specifically, it’s normally recommended that drivers maintain a three-second following distance. Older drivers often learned to leave three car lengths between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. However, this measurement left vehicles too close at high speeds. By measuring the following distance using time, the distance expands at higher speeds.
How Tailgating Causes Accidents
Tailgating leads to crashes because the driver in back does not leave enough time or space to stop safely. Even a small delay can turn into a rear-end collision when traffic slows suddenly.
To understand why tailgating is so dangerous, it helps to break stopping distance into two parts:
- Reaction distance: how far a car travels while the driver notices a hazard and moves their foot to the brake
- Braking distance: how far the car travels after the brakes are applied until it comes to a full stop
When a driver follows too closely, the available space is often shorter than the total stopping distance. That means the tailgating driver may not be able to stop in time, even if they slam on the brakes. The result is usually a rear-end impact into the vehicle ahead.
Rear-end crashes can cause serious injuries for both vehicles. People in the rear vehicle may be thrown forward into seat belts, risking chest, shoulder, and neck injuries. People in the front vehicle can be jolted backward into their seats, which may strain the spine, and either vehicle’s occupants may suffer head injuries or concussions from the force of the crash.
Solutions to Tailgating
Tailgating is a preventable behavior. It may happen for a variety of reasons, including distracted driving, inattention, impatience, and inexperience. For example, a young driver might tailgate simply because they haven’t learned how much space to leave.
Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions to tailgating.
How to Avoid Tailgating
You can avoid tailgating by driving attentively and focusing on maintaining a safe following distance. However, this may be more difficult than it sounds. Impatient or aggressive drivers can tailgate without consciously intending to do so. Similarly, distracted or inattentive drivers might drift too close to other vehicles while their attention is diverted.
How to Deal With Tailgaters
Even if you do everything right, you can still get hit by tailgaters. According to the Automobile Association of America (AAA), one of the best ways to deal with a tailgater is to remain calm and allow them to pass.
Again, this may be harder than it seems. Your natural reaction to a tailgater might be to respond with aggressive or erratic behavior. However, allowing the driver to pass you will take you out of their danger zone.
Contact the Austin Car Accident Lawyers at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Following too closely can cause serious (though typically non-fatal) injuries. Avoiding this behavior requires drivers to remain patient and alert on the road. While there’s little you can do when others tailgate you, remaining calm and paying close attention can help you minimize the risk of a car accident.
If you’ve been injured in a tailgating accident in Austin, TX, McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our Austin car accident attorneys will fight to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
