Tailgating Is No Picnic
When a driver follows another car too closely, he/she is said to be “tailgating” – literally, riding on the other driver’s tail. It’s aggressive driving and when accidents result, injuries are often severe. More than a third of all auto accidents are caused by tailgating.
On the interstate, tailgating is more often fatal, due to increased speeds. The faster the car is going, the longer it will take to stop. Other facts, such as road conditions and weather, also affect stopping distance.
Teenagers – ever impatient – are more likely to tailgate. Tailgating can be caused because the car in front suddenly slows down. However, in many states, the driver who rear-ends the car in front is automatically at fault.