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Tailgating is when a careless driver follows another vehicle too closely, usually to encourage them to move out of the way, or just to be inconsiderate and annoying.
Ignoring the The Highway Code that urges people to keep a distance of at least two seconds behind the vechicle in front of you is illegal.
By driving too closely to the car in front, not only is the practice illegal, it’s dangerous and could result in serious damage to both cars should there be an accident.
Even if there isn’t a car accident, tailgating could result in unforeseen damage to the body of the car that is driving recklessly.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, explained: “When you get too close to the car in front, you’re not just driving dangerously, you’re also scuppering your view of the road ahead.
“Your vision will be dominated by the rear end of the vehicle you’re tailgating, and you’ll have little to no visibility of the actual Tarmac in front of you.”
He further explained: “And when a pothole does, inevitably, loom into view, a tailgater will have clonked over it before they’ve even seen it, potentially causing extensive damage to their vehicle.
“On the other hand, drivers who leave a good, healthy gap between themselves and the car in front will have a more extensive view of potential obstacles and are better equipped to take evasive action when they encounter a road crater.”
Conway added: “It’s perhaps a case of tailgaters getting their just desserts, as it’s a poor driving habit that can have terrible consequences.”
National Highways warns that tailgating contributes to one in eight casualties on England’s motorways and major A roads.
Moreover, it stands as an offence under the “driving without due care and attention” category, attracting at least a £100 fine and penalty points. More serious cases could face larger fines and even court appearances.
