All You Need for Understanding and Avoiding Tailgating
Many road accidents happen because the drivers do not have enough time to react appropriately to the situations around them. It's essential for drivers to keep their options open whenever they are on the road. When you have several ways to respond to an impending danger on the road, it is easy to avoid crashing into other motorists and pedestrians. You can only do that when you give yourself adequate time to focus and respond to what is happening on the road. One way good drivers do this is by learning about tailgating and knowing how they can manage it. If you just enrolled in an HR driving course, read the following information to learn all the essential things you need to know about tailgating:
Tailgating Explained
Tailgating is the cause of many rear-end crashes among motorists. It happens when you follow the car in front of you too closely. As a result, you do not have adequate time to respond to what happens on the road. However, how do you know that you are keeping a safe distance between you and the person in front of you? Is there a standard measure for this?
The Three-Second Rule
For standard vehicles, the three-second rule for a straightforward option. Keep an eye on the vehicle in front of you and start the count when that vehicle passes a particular sign or point. It goes 'one thousand one, one thousand two and one thousand three'. Ideally, this count should last about three seconds, and if you pass the mark before completing the count, then you are too close to the vehicle in front of you. When you're driving a heavy vehicle, you'll want to make sure that the vehicle is even further in front of you because it will take you longer to brake than it would a standard vehicle.
The Need for a Longer Cushion
The count explained above should give you a four-second window before hitting anything ahead of you. It keeps you from abrupt and unprecedented braking should you come close to ramming your vehicle into the one in front of you. Secondly, you should try to have an even longer cushion when driving on slippery roads. You will have a better reaction time, especially when driving behind motorcyclists. They are at a higher risk of skidding and slipping on the road in slippery conditions.
Handling Tailgating Motorists
When you notice other motorists tailgating you, the best practice is to give way by slowing down and allowing them to overtake you. Aggressive tailgaters often pursue you dangerously even when they know that the risk of an accident is high.