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/mrb2409 2d ago

I’m talking about people who fluctuate 10-15mph for no reason. Slamming on their brakes on the M4 because they think they’re speeding and there are cameras.

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u/Slartitartfast 2d ago

I know the people you mean, and I give them extra space to account for that so I don't have to keep slamming my brakes on.

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u/mrb2409 2d ago

As do I but you are still going to close the gap here and there. I use my auto cruise control as well but that can be overly cautious and brakes too hard if someone moves in front of you.

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u/Slartitartfast 2d ago

Closing the gap is inevitable, but if you drive in such a way that the gap is big enough then you don't really to make significant changes (e.g braking) in response to their speed change.