Tailgating, or following another vehicle too closely, is an unsafe driving behavior that puts everyone on the road at risk. This dangerous habit can lead to rear-end collisions, road rage incidents, and major injuries.
What is Tailgating?
Tailgating refers to driving right behind the vehicle in front of you without leaving the proper stopping distance in between. There is no fixed distance that is considered safe for every scenario. Generally, you should allow at least 2 to 3 seconds of following distance for every 10 mph of speed. This means at 60 mph, you should be at least 120 to 180 feet behind the car ahead. If you cannot see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you, you are likely following too closely.
Dangers of Tailgating
There are many reasons why tailgating is an unsafe driving behavior:
Increased Risk of Crashes
The most obvious risk of tailgating is that it makes crashes much more likely. At highway speeds, you should maintain enough distance to be able to brake safely if the car in front of you suddenly slows down or stops. Tailgating removes this buffer space, meaning you have less time to react and are more likely to rear-end the other vehicle. Studies show that tailgating increases your crash risk by up to 36 times.
Amplified Damage in Crashes
Not only does tailgating make accidents more common, but it also amplifies the damage when they do occur. Collisions at high speeds typically result in greater vehicle damage, more severe injuries, and higher likelihood of death. Tailgating essentially guarantees high-speed collisions since you will not have time to slow down before impact.
Provoking Road Rage
Driving too closely can anger other drivers and provoke retaliation or road rage. If someone is tailgating you, your natural response may be to speed up to create more distance or brake check them. This escalates the situation and puts everyone in danger. Even if overt road rage does not occur, tailgating increases stress for other drivers which impacts decision-making abilities.
Poor Visibility
When you tailgate larger vehicles like trucks or SUVs, your vision is obscured. You may not be able to see hazards up ahead, like stopped traffic or accidents. Lack of visibility paired with short following distance gives you little time to identify and appropriately react to roadway dangers.
Aggressive Driving
Tailgating is often associated with generally aggressive driving behaviors like weaving, speeding, and disobeying traffic laws. Drivers who follow too closely are less likely to be focused on safe driving practices. They put others at risk through reckless driving habits.
Driver Distraction
Maintaining a safe following distance requires your full attention. Tailgating is essentially distracted driving since you are not focused on the road ahead. Any distraction, like talking on your phone or eating, makes it even harder to respond quickly to sudden changes in traffic flow.
Tailgating in Boston
Tailgating is a common problem on Boston’s congested highways and streets. Boston drivers have a reputation for aggressive driving behaviors like speeding, rapid lane changes, and following too closely. Certain areas and roads see higher rates of tailgating accidents:
- Major highways like I-93, I-90, Route 2, and Route 128, especially during high traffic periods
- Areas around Logan Airport as cars race to catch flights
- Bridges and tunnels with limited visibility like the Sumner and Ted Williams Tunnel
- Merging lanes and exits where cars jockey for position
- Highways through the city with lots of stop-and-go traffic
Tips to Avoid Tailgating
Here are some ways you can avoid tailgating and promote safe driving distances:
- Use the 3-second rule. Pick a fixed object like a sign ahead of you. When the car in front of you passes it, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.” If you pass the object before counting to three, you are following too closely.
- Check your sightlines. If you cannot see the rear tires of the car ahead, you do not have enough stopping distance.
- Leave extra space in bad weather. Braking distances are longer on wet or icy roads. Give the car ahead even more cushion in inclement weather.
- Avoid distractions. Keep your full attention on the road. Do not text, eat, or engage in other distracting activities while driving.
- Be realistic about travel times. Do not tailgate if you are running late. Build extra time into your travel schedule and focus on driving safely.
- Let aggressive drivers pass. Avoid antagonizing tailgaters. Change lanes and let them go if it is safe to do so.
- Get some perspective. Understand that tailgating only worsens traffic. Stay calm and keep your distance.
Consequences of Tailgating
Tailgating has legal and financial consequences when it results in a collision:
- Negligence. Rear-ending another vehicle is usually considered the fault of the tailgating driver. You can be found negligent for following too closely.
- Traffic violations. Tailgating often leads to citations for failure to maintain proper distance or careless/reckless driving. These can add points to your license along with fines.
- Lawsuits and damages. If you injure someone or damage property, you can face lawsuits to cover medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, and other costs.
- Insurance hikes. At-fault accidents will drive up your car insurance premiums for 3-5 years typically. Too many incidents can even get you dropped by your insurer.
- License suspension. Multiple tailgating tickets or at-fault accidents can result in your license being suspended, especially for high-risk drivers.
Protect Yourself After a Tailgating Accident
If you have been injured by a tailgating driver in Boston, make sure you take the right steps to secure the compensation you deserve:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even for minor injuries
- Report the crash to police and cooperate with the investigation
- Document the scene with photos and witness statements
- Consult an experienced personal injury attorney about your legal options
Our team at Mass Injury Group handles tailgating accident cases in Boston. We will deal with the insurance companies and third parties while you focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about recovering damages.
Visit our office at 15 Broad St #800 Boston, MA 02109.
Or call now for a free consultation on (617) 263-0860.