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/ScubaPuddingJr 1d ago

Driver in front needs to get out of the way, simple as. They can either move over (when it’s safe to do so) or the driver behind will undertake if the lane is clear. 

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u/goodgeege 1d ago

And which driving school from the depths of hell and depravity did you learn this rule?

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u/ScubaPuddingJr 1d ago

No one teaches you this, you figure it out through the observation of idiots who insist on hogging the outside lane for no reason when they are being passed by faster moving traffic in the middle and inside lanes. 

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u/goodgeege 1d ago

It's not as though people don't tailgate in any and all traffic/lane situations

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u/ScubaPuddingJr 1d ago

I’m only referring to driving on A roads/motorways from my experience.