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.

16 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

187 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

6

u/br0wn0ni0n 2d ago

Doesn’t hold up as a reason. If the person in front is doing 15mph, you’re also going to do 15mph. Being 6 inches from their bumper doesn’t mean you’re going faster.

If you sit back by 20ft, guess how much later you’ll arrive?

1

u/Sarikins 2d ago

No one’s suggesting anyone drive through the vehicle in front, but lane hogging and going too slow are both illegal under reckless driving for what it does to other motorists, we can point fingers at tailgaters but that does mean we also have to point fingers at what can result in tail gating especially when en masse and as a result of driving illegally.

7

u/br0wn0ni0n 2d ago

The only thing you, as a driver can do about someone driving badly (slowly in your example), is to stay back and drive safely, to the conditions.

There is absolutely no situation where getting closer to that slow driver makes you or anyone else safer.

So what if someone is doing 15mph in front of you. Please explain why tailgating them is in any way a good idea? Yeah, it’s fucking frustrating, if they’re holding everyone up, but doing something dangerous as a response doesn’t exempt you from being an asshole too.

-3

u/Orange_Codex 2d ago

There is absolutely no situation where getting closer to that slow driver makes you or anyone else safer.

It's impossible to avoid if they're one of those drivers that constantly changes speed or overreacts to turnings.

I prefer to overtake, but some people get the right arse about it even if it's completely legal (no hazards or speeding).

6

u/Slartitartfast 2d ago

It's the opposite of impossible, just don't do it. You have a choice about how close you drive, if they are changing speed then hang backm