Following a vehicle too closely, commonly known as tailgating, is a dangerous practice.
It is typically seen in areas with lowered speed limits or those that are more congested. The danger around this is even more so in trucking. Heavy trucks take more time and room to stop than a standard car or truck.
Areas compromised when tailgating:
– Stopping distance being much greater with a heavy or semi-truck, the distance between a semi and the
vehicle in front of it should be at least twice the distance kept between standard vehicles
– Observation and response times are also negatively impacted when following too close and the time it takes
to process vehicles coming to a stop and then responding is approximately a two-second delay
– The more space that is given between a truck and the vehicle in front of it, the more reaction time there is
– When driving in conditions that are less than ideal, such as severe weather, construction zones, driving at
night, etc. more distance should be given between a truck and the vehicle ahead
Regular practice in these areas can become a new routine and ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
The key to avoiding tailgating is patience and not being in a hurry.
