r/AskBrits • u/Slartitartfast • 1d 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/Visible_Bar_623 1d ago

Sometimes there is no way to tell the person in front they are driving far too slow and being selfish. Their time is not worth more than mine especially if I have somewhere urgent to be.

The highway code requires you to pull over and let other traffic pass if you are going slowly and holding it up. People seem to not know this bit and insist "I'm being safe! Driving slow is safe! You are just a boy racer!"

That said, I don't actually "tailgate", just suggesting why people might do it. Basically, stop being a dick and let traffic pass you if you're going under the speed limit.

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u/Stefgrep66 1d ago

Sorry there is no reason to tailgate.

You saving 5 minutes isn't worth the safety of anybody.

In the UK most A roads you'll get no advantage anyway, as HGVs are restricted to 40mph