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The 3 types of tailgaters: Are you one of them?

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Most motoring surveys show that tailgating along with “left lane bandits” ranks highest on motoring pet peeves. It is certainly near the top of my list.

The vast majority of motorists despise being tailgated yet most clearly do it themselves. Is this a case of “don’t tailgate me but I can do it to you”? Is it motoring’s version of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard)? Or is it motorists are just not clear on when they are committing this infraction?

Drivers should leave at least a two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front. If they are heavily loaded with passengers or cargo or towing a trailer, then that gap should be between three to four seconds. Vehicles carrying a load or trailer take much longer to stop then if they were empty. On wet or snowy roads the gap s

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Submitted Jun 25, 2012 By: JetSetta

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crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,637 Points:486,190 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 9:13:55 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse When I'm on my motorcycle, people never tailgate me. And I drive at the speed limit. And I usually leave 2 seconds of distance in front of me.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:7,078 Points:2,143,215 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jun 26, 2012 6:49:34 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse "On wet ... roads the gap should be up to seven to 10 seconds." This would be some sight to see on local highways!
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,173 Points:727,880 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:53:20 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse It really drives me nuts to see the tailgaters going 50 mph in the pouring rain..... I see that way too often around here.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,235 Points:823,975 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:54:42 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse I see people tailgating every day. I don't tailgate. Interesting article, thanks for posting.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,625 Points:1,584,250 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 9:56:10 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse I don't tailgate.
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,580 Points:788,400 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 8:42:07 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse It would be nice to have a moving violation offense for those drivers who get in the left lane on rural interstate or rural interstate level highways and crawl along as if they and they alone matter in this world. A fine of $100 per offense plus the normal court cost of 30 to 50 dollars more should get the attention of the left lane hogs. The far left lane should be only used to pass vehicles in the right lane or right lanes everywhere except metropolitan areas.
bandannaman Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,849 Points:365,610 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 8:10:11 PM Ignore bandannaman Report Abuse Yeah, I slow down when someone tailgates me, doesn't matter what lane and doesn't matter what speed.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:632,100 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 7:34:16 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Good article. On several occasions, while driving on the interstate, I have watched tailgaters get upset when others tailgate them. Fortunately for me, I have been a couple lanes over and away from the fray.
Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,457 Points:680,205 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 6:21:31 PM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse thanks 4 sharing
dr047 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,726 Points:542,445 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 5:53:43 PM Ignore dr047 Report Abuse Mandatory Fines !!!!
unipanini All-Star Author New York Posts:903 Points:264,575 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 5:11:42 PM Ignore unipanini Report Abuse I am guilty.
voyagerkim All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:620 Points:181,535 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 4:48:18 PM Ignore voyagerkim Report Abuse Do unto others. . .
bl626 All-Star Author Toledo Posts:824 Points:242,355 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 3:08:51 PM Ignore bl626 Report Abuse I never understand what these people have in mind going under the speed limit on the left lane. If you are going to pressure them, look ahead of their car/truck so you can hit the brakes before them.
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:9,657 Points:1,858,340 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 2:54:14 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse I learned the hard way about 40 years ago, Stay back now.
SycamoreISU Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,065 Points:275,825 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 2:34:24 PM Ignore SycamoreISU Report Abuse I'm also one of those who will slow down when being tailgated. My vehicles aren't new or fancy, but I do what I can to avoid an accident and having to go car shopping. If you're late, leave earlier next time. If you want to be first, go enter a race. I will NOT go faster just because you're breathing on my neck.
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,374 Points:1,009,305 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 2:26:05 PM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse I have noticed that most tailgaters are big Dodge pick-ups with small drivers.
cgrey8 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,015 Points:260,730 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 2:16:28 PM Ignore cgrey8 Report Abuse Neat. People hate tailgaters? Glad to know that when I tailgate, it is annoying. I don't tailgate unless the person in front of me is doing under the speed limit. Sometimes on the Interstate, I'll be in the far left lane and someone will be obliviously driving under the limit. I'll tailgate instead of passing on the right. I figure if I got to do something illegal to get past them, what I do might as well have a chance of annoying them in the process. Even if it doesn't annoy them, it makes me feel better believing it did annoy them...and lowers my stress level about them being there in the 1st place. Did I annoy you by saying that?
renbutler Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,156 Points:147,505 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 1:26:53 PM Ignore renbutler Report Abuse "If I could legally push the car in front of me with my brush guard, I would! To many idiots have been allowed on the roads." You accidentally proved your second sentence with your first...
mkohly Veteran Author Chicago Posts:284 Points:27,365 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 1:24:31 PM Ignore mkohly Report Abuse YaBassa: I think you have it wrong. They used to teach 1 CAR LENGTH for every 10 mph, not 1 second. But, car-length is inaccurate considering the wide disparity in vehicle sizes. BTW: In Illinois they are teaching a 3-second separation since studies have found it takes just over the 2-sec distance for a car to stop.
Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,959 Points:667,045 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 1:21:34 PM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . If I could legally push the car in front of me with my brush guard, I would! To many idiots have been allowed on the roads.
GetMaxCashBack Veteran Author Trenton Posts:386 Points:173,775 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 1:18:24 PM Ignore GetMaxCashBack Report Abuse I am none of those. No point in tailgating. It reduces fuel economy because it's harder to keep a steady throttle when the person in front of you varies speed all the time. Plus, with more room in front of you, you can coast more instead of braking every time someone slows down ahead of you. Of course, it is also courteous to other drivers to not leave TOO much room ahead of you because that ultimately leads to more backed up traffic behind you.
SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,197 Points:820,355 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 1:04:52 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse Sometimes I think that we are all guilty at one time or another of doing things to other drivers which aggravate us. But I believe that if we traveled super wide highways (20 lanes going the same direction), that there would still be 20 cars riding side by side. They wont pass a car and pull in their lane or fall behind and pull in the same lane. They think that their lane is THEIR lane and probably do more to cause road rage and yet are never themselves involved in an accident. If I was in law enforcement, I would cut a lot of slack to folks for minor infractions, but I would burn drivers "big time" (at least I think that I would) for inconsiderate things like tailgating; especially at night with their bright lights "on" or for pulling out in front of you and then turning right in the next driveway 10 feet ahead. Grrrrr
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,374 Points:776,055 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 12:54:24 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse no
wamster Champion Author Houston Posts:4,410 Points:719,365 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 12:44:24 PM Ignore wamster Report Abuse Good article, and so true.
qwerty17 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,760 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 12:41:03 PM Ignore qwerty17 Report Abuse yikes.
TRYWI All-Star Author Appleton Posts:898 Points:282,150 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 12:40:26 PM Ignore TRYWI Report Abuse I believe in KARMA. These bad drivers will get theirs someday very soon What comes around - goes around comes back. [Edited by: TRYWI at 6/25/2012 12:40:49 PM EST]
TRYWI All-Star Author Appleton Posts:898 Points:282,150 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 12:34:23 PM Ignore TRYWI Report Abuse American ROAD RAGE is on the rise, very sad we are going in this direction.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:35,301 Points:2,398,095 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 12:30:45 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse life in madern america.............. and getting worse............
MImusicman Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,008 Points:434,400 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:53:41 AM Ignore MImusicman Report Abuse I wish DMV would have a point of emphasis/reminder when they send out renewals. I'm tired of getting flipped when someone else was the IDIOT who doesn't know the rules of the road and gets mad. [Edited by: MImusicman at 6/25/2012 11:54:05 AM EST]
MAJB Sophomore Author Indianapolis Posts:242 Points:112,505 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:51:32 AM Ignore MAJB Report Abuse I leave a generious space, but some the A-hole always decides to squeeze in and now I'm right on his/her bumper until I can adjust. [Edited by: MAJB at 6/25/2012 11:51:54 AM EST]
sciotosix Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,884 Points:692,850 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:51:21 AM Ignore sciotosix Report Abuse Most of the drivers being tailgated are too busy on their cell phones to even notice.
vnany Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:104 Points:587,765 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:50:03 AM Ignore vnany Report Abuse The problem is that everyone owns the road and you need to stay off of them.
REBELFAN39 Veteran Author Jackson Posts:367 Points:473,015 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:45:57 AM Ignore REBELFAN39 Report Abuse Next time you tailgate a big truck, ask yourself, what am I going to do when he blows a tire and that recap comes flying back at me?
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,699 Points:1,571,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:44:39 AM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Even more annoying is seeing your tailgater on the phone!
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,395 Points:2,474,835 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:13:46 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse I thought this was about how we cook-out at the ball park.
YaBassa Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,566 Points:543,825 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 11:09:03 AM Ignore YaBassa Report Abuse When I took driver's training we were instructed that the following distance was 1 second for every 10 mph....
amoshins Champion Author Trenton Posts:2,301 Points:667,020 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:59:47 AM Ignore amoshins Report Abuse I'm none of the three
bills299 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,501 Points:931,965 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:52:01 AM Ignore bills299 Report Abuse oh my!!
Eric2009 Rookie Author Seattle Posts:14 Points:19,030 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:48:07 AM Ignore Eric2009 Report Abuse Every time I try to do this I get car after car merging in front of me. That can be just as dangerous as following too close.
jeffbone Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,408 Points:414,850 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:39:53 AM Ignore jeffbone Report Abuse "Not Newsworthy"
Sethyl Champion Author Miami Posts:1,889 Points:404,190 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:30:23 AM Ignore Sethyl Report Abuse It sounds like this author teaches at a defensive driving school. In reality, very few motorists follow a 2-second rule in any type of traffic. Tailgating is an agressive move meant to get others "out of my way." I am guilty of doing it from time to time, but usually only when the driver is impeding traffic in the left lane.
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,685 Points:1,813,925 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:29:07 AM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse Yes, too many people follow the rule, “don’t ____ me but I can do it to you”.
ibhenry Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,536 Points:463,345 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:16:13 AM Ignore ibhenry Report Abuse Another forgotten rule of thumb is to move over and let them pass. The number one lane is the passing lane, so let them by. But if the road is packed, those who tailgate are idiots. The number one lane is considered the "passing lane" so if you can't keep the speed, you should move over, not brake (those that brake are actually breaking the minimum speed law). Common courtesy stuff. If they can do this on the Autobahn, we should be able to do it here. 'Nuff said.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,690 Points:774,770 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:14:54 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse and the 4th type, just an idiot.
MontanaMac Champion Author Washington Posts:1,736 Points:410,050 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:10:02 AM Ignore MontanaMac Report Abuse Big city drivers.
BeemerBikerUT Champion Author Utah Posts:2,867 Points:565,810 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:08:53 AM Ignore BeemerBikerUT Report Abuse As a two wheel rider, tailgaters can be very dangerous. I will motion to them to "back off" - most do. For the very few who won't (and this is a very rare few) I try to get out of their way. They have a fixed agenda and I don't want it to be ME!
buckets42 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,690 Points:329,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:07:54 AM Ignore buckets42 Report Abuse Pretty much the only time I "tailgate" is when a car, usually fromthe right lane, dive in front of my car, and usually after passing me on the right, even though I am in the middle lane an dthere are cars passing me on the left.
gbs1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,136 Points:769,325 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:07:47 AM Ignore gbs1 Report Abuse Tailgaters are for the most part inconsiderate idiots
angel4me Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,814 Points:802,645 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:07:01 AM Ignore angel4me Report Abuse not good to tailgate !!
joseph000 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,161 Points:218,075 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2012 10:06:03 AM Ignore joseph000 Report Abuse When I tailgate, it's just to piss off the driver in front of me, no other reason. When people tailgate me, they have a legitimate need to hurry, and I'm the one causing the problem. Just like everyone else, whether they admit it or not. Seriously, I have timed that two second distance, and in city traffic, it really is impossible most of the time, I wish it were not. Less than two car lengths is when it gets uncomfortable behind me, and from observing the traffic, is about average in medium traffic. I wish I had an easy answer, but traffic theory and traffic reality don't often mix. I do agree we should train young driver to be extra conservative, they will lose it over time, but it will help them while getting their skills developed. When I am uncomfortably tailgated, I make a point to open up the distance in front of me and increase my reaction time, so if something does happen, I can gently decelerate instead of slamming on the brakes, his fault or not, I don't want them hitting my back end. Also, this usually involves gentle deceleration, which encourages the tailgater to just go ahead and pass. [Edited by: joseph000 at 6/25/2012 10:10:20 AM EST]