tailgating?

Question

Why do drivers tailgate, why does no-one ever hold there hand up and say i am one of those drivers that tailgate, everyone i speak to says it annoys them so where do they all go

Answer 1

They are all clearly out tailgating someone and don't have time to read Yahoo Answers ;)

Answer 2

I sometimes am guilty of doing what I hate the most about other drivers who tailgate my semi trailer when I'm in my own car. I don't mean to, but sometimes it happens.

A few good reasons to not tailgate ME when I'm driving around Florida with roofing materials are: #1) I can't see you; #2) I still can't see you in back of me; #3) Engine brake.... the loud rumbling of a truck that is decelerating is compression released braking that will stop pretty quickly if the truck is empty... there aren't any lights or flashers when the driver is using the "Jake Brake" so anyone tailgating or not paying attention might run into the trailer. Finally, a panic stop into the rear end of a semi does not normally end up well.... imagine running into a 80,000# wall, we'd be hard pressed to feel anything in the cab.

Most professional drivers are happy to share the road with people who extend courtesy to us as we do to them... but sometimes after a long week of people tailgating, cutting us off and generally driving dangerously around us, that's when we have to drive both defensively and more aggressively at the same time and looking like the bad guy for doing so.

Answer 3

The vast majority of drivers are impatient, often for no reason at all, and when they approach slower moving traffic ahead tailgating is a natural reaction, even though they are quite aware that it is dangerous.
A lot of drivers realise that they are making life harder for themselves, so they pull back and give themselves road space, and within a few seconds some other driver has tucked himself into it. This may go on for quite a while before everyone gets mad and everyone is tailgating again.
I do it, we all do it.
When we are not behind the wheel we become rational and realise that tailgating is dangerous, stressful, and saves no journey time at all. Doublethink kicks in and we don't tailgate, until the next time we approach slower moving traffic.

Answer 4

I'll share my experience. I've had the same insurance company since I got my license and have never hit anyone with my car. It does not take a genius to know you should allow enough space in front of your vehicle at all times to avoid an accident. However, there are those idiots that don't have insurance, don't care about their cars, and even worse, don't really care about hitting another car. They are the same one's that park like jerks and have dents every panel of their car. I have no problem being aggresive and tailing someone that belongs in the right lane while in the left. I will absolutely make them aware that they are being ignorant and slowing traffic. If I hit them, it would be my fault 100% so I would never get that close. You have a horn, lights, and other lanes to manuever your car around them safely. I can also appreciate when someone behind me is obviously in a great hurry and the first the i want to do is get out of their way! I can't control what's behind me. But, if I not in a passing lane and have nowhere to go and feel threatened, I'll slam on my brakes suddenly and then gas it to give them an awakening. This usually either scares the hell out of them and they will back off or they will get so angry that they will figure out to pass you. Either way you should always know how to judge the distance of your car on all sides at all times within inches. It's not that difficult. Even if they hit you, you have no fault and a hell of a law suit. I've never had that happen because I don't need the hassles and like my car without dents.

Answer 5

Some people tailgate to prevent other cars from cutting in front of them. I think everyone remembers the "3 second rule" for driving, but increasing the distance from the car in front of you just invites others to cut in and slow down traffic.

I suggest, if you feel comfortable, to slam on your brakes when a driver is tailgating you. Sometimes they will panic and back off.

Answer 6

tailgators are losers. If your driving the limit and and someone is tailgating you call the police its called road rage and not to be taken lightly
That being said i realise it is not a civic duty to be doing the limit in the fastlane. However to the morons that are riding your butt in morning traffic here in Atl. get over it there are 200000 other idiots like yourself in a hurry but there is nowhere to go
And to the dork that "will tap you" tap my car and I will tweek your beak faster than you can say I'm sorry

Answer 7

Seriously - I think it is ingrained in our psyche.

I think it is two-fold;
- The need to be in a "pack". Sort of the "herd mentality". There is safety in numbers, so we tend to try to clump together.
- The need to be "in front". Alpha Male and all that.

Over the last few years, I've had to do a lot more two lane driving than I used to. I've found that if I do not set my cruise control, I will naturally drive to "catch up" to the car in front of me. I don't even realize I am doing it.

Then, when I'm within two car lengths or so, I find myself wanting to pass. Even if we are already 10+ over the limit. I usually go 5 - 7 over and I am comfortable with that. So it doesn't make sense that I have the urge to pass some one who is actually going faster than I want to go. Yet I.have.this.need.

I also noticed that people will do the same to me. I tested my theory out on the freeway where there are more lanes. When someone gradually caught up to me in the left lane, I would move over. In many cases, they would move over too. They seemed to have no desire to pass or go faster, they just wanted to catch up.

So now, when I see someone gradually creeping up, I just leave my cruise where it is and keep on. Also, if I am not fighting off some jack-**** cutting traffic, I will leave a few car lengths between the car in front. Especially on two lane roads.

Answer 8

You will always get tailgating. You can drive your Ferrari at 180mph on the motorway in the outside lane and you are bound to get some ar*e hole in a BMW tailgating you.

Answer 9

I think it's something in the human psyche, a need to be in front, witness the desperate urge to overtake even when it's clearly pointless. I've also got a feeling we all do it at some time or other, and those who say they never have are either deluded or liars. But then, when thinking sensibly about it we wouldn't dream of admitting it, would we?

It takes training and a deliberate approach to driving to suppress this inbuilt urge.

Answer 10

Its not good driving to tailgate,just remember if they hit the breaks and you runinto the back of them it's all your fault and you the one that will be done for not driving with care and attention and your insurance premiums will go through the roof, so it's not worth it.