28 Jan Understanding the Dangers of Tailgating
Any driver that’s operated their vehicle on a highway is probably familiar with tailgating. While it can simply be annoying, tailgating is more likely to lead to serious motor vehicle accidents. Read on to discover the inherent dangers of tailgating, and how to avoid them.
Following Distance
When a car is tailgating another vehicle, the driver will have little to no time to stop if the person in front of them slams on their brakes. This can lead to a rear-end accident that can cause injuries to both parties involved, and nine times out of 10, the tailgater will be forced to accept fault for the accident. If you are found to be at fault for a motor vehicle collision, you could be subject to legal action and fees, not to mention increased insurance rates. For the safety of you and your wallet, it’s best to give the car ahead of you a safe following distance.
Inclement Weather
Rain, snow, and ice don’t just throw a wrench in your outdoor activities; they also make it especially dangerous to tailgate another car. These inclement weather conditions can make the road too slippery for your vehicle’s tires to grip properly. If you are tailgating in bad weather and have to hit your brakes, there’s a very low chance that your car will actually stop in time to prevent a crash. The car ahead of you will also slide or move much more than normal, causing even more damage.
Trucks and Commercial Vehicles
Tailgating a regular vehicle is inadvisable, let alone a large truck or commercial vehicle. If you are tailgating a semi and have to suddenly stop, it’s possible that your car will slide under the trailer of the truck. These rear-end accidents are much more serious and can often be fatal. It’s best to give these larger vehicles their space, whether on the highway or a smaller road.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident caused by tailgating, you can rely on National Auto Collision Centers to get your car back on the road. For more information on our repair services, call our Grant Road location at (520) 623-4959 or send our team a message here.