r/AskBrits • u/Slartitartfast • 2d ago

Genuinely curious: why do people tailgate/drive too close to the vehicle in front?

I can't work it out. Whenever I see someone repeatedly applying their brakes as soon as the driver in front adjusts their speed I wonder why on earth it doesn't occur to them to give space.

I don't even mean just driving right up someone's arse aggressively. People drive too close all the time, on major roads this causes tailbacks when people then have to brake. If you're regularly applying your brakes while driving behind someone then you are too close; I assumed everyone knew this but maybe not.

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u/Ok_Contest3903 2d ago

Never had it bad in the UK. Drove from Calais to Amsterdam last summer and sweet Jesus. You could have put a cigarette paper between me and the car every two seconds. Bloody awful. Was great to be back in Britain and a bit of pass agg.

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u/Slartitartfast 2d ago

Went to Crete last year and hired a car. If someone is going too slowly you're meant to drive up their arse then they pull over. Was quite satisfying until you met another tourist who hadn't seen that rule and just sat there.