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Confusion over what is a "safe following distance" has QUT [(Queensland University of Technology)] road safety researchers calling for a standardised definition to prevent tailgating.
- Tailgating conclusively linked to rear-end crashes
- Most drivers leave less than a 2 second gap between them and the vehicle in front
- Rear-enders account for one in five Queensland crashes
Dr Sebastien Demmel, from QUT's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety -- Queensland (CARRS-Q), said the results of the study which found 50 per cent of drivers tailgate, was being presented at the 2017 Australasian Road Safety Conference in Perth today.
"This study, for the first time conclusively linked tailgating with rear-end crashes, but we also identified confusion among drivers over what is deemed to be a safe following distance," he said.
"Despite drivers perceiving they are following at a safe distance, our on-road data showed that in reality most don't leave the recommended two to three second gap," he said.
"At some locations 55 per cent of drivers were found to leave less than a two second gap between them and the vehicle in front, and 44 per cent less than a one second [gap]."
A safe following distance is 5 feet. While looking at a smartphone.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Phoenix666 on Friday October 13 2017, @11:04AM
Tailgating at slow speeds doesn't make sense either, though not for safety. When you tailgate, you make it impossible for people to change lanes to get to the lane they need. They wind up having to elbow in, which brings your lane to a complete, abrupt halt. People far back in your lane get annoyed and horn into the one your lane changer was trying to get out of, and they lurch to a halt. Merging roads or lanes become impossible, too.
Keep it loose and everyone will win together.
Washington DC delenda est.