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We’ve all been there (and maybe even achieved it): a fast look within the rear-view mirror exhibits the automobile behind is simply too near our bumper, an aggression designed to make us drive sooner or transfer over.
It’s not solely disagreeable, however extremely harmful. A Queensland research discovered being tailgated is without doubt one of the most traumatic driving experiences. That is no shock contemplating tailgating is among the many high 5 complaints of street customers.
So, what’s being achieved to forestall this behaviour on our roads?
Primarily based on the statistics, one may assume present countermeasures should not efficient in stopping tailgating behaviours. For instance, over 500,000 motor-vehicle collisions and accidents globally have been attributed to not sustaining a secure following distance.
In Queensland, Australia, over 7,000 accidents and fatalities had been attributed to tailgating between 2019 and 2020. Nonetheless, solely 3,120 drivers obtained an infringement discover for the behaviour on this interval.
Learn extra:
Highway rage: why regular folks develop into dangerous on the roads
How can tailgating be stopped?
Our analysis utilized three deterrence-based theories utilized in street security to look at whether or not present countermeasures are efficient in stopping tailgating.
A complete of 887 Queensland licensed drivers accomplished a web based survey (55% male and a mean age of 49 years). An alarming 98% of members reported having tailgated sooner or later, highlighting how widespread the behaviour is on Queensland roads. In keeping with earlier analysis, males and youthful drivers reported the best ranges of tailgating.
Our analysis made the next findings (based mostly on three deterrence-based theories):
drivers who consider the implications for tailgating (that’s, the wonderful and demerit factors) are excessive, are much less more likely to have interaction within the behaviour
drivers who ceaselessly tailgate (however should not caught) usually tend to proceed the behaviour
those that know of household or mates who’ve been caught for tailgating are much less more likely to have interaction within the behaviour
those that assume tailgating will increase their danger of harm are much less more likely to have interaction within the behaviour
drivers who really feel responsible for tailgating are much less more likely to have interaction within the behaviour
those that consider the possibilities of being caught for tailgating are low usually tend to proceed partaking within the behaviour.
So, some present countermeasures for tailgating may be efficient. Of explicit curiosity is the discovering that people who know of somebody receiving a wonderful for tailgating are much less more likely to tailgate.
And data can unfold broadly, so somebody being fined for tailgating may additionally deter family and friends from doing it.
Nonetheless, some findings spotlight that there’s actually room for enchancment. These findings embody:
drivers consider there’s a low likelihood of being caught for tailgating
folks ceaselessly keep away from detection.
Importantly, the findings recommend that authorized sanctions may be improved by rising drivers’ perceptions that they are going to be caught for tailgating.
Our findings additionally recommend that rising the penalties (fines and demerit factors) for tailgating could not essentially enhance the deterrent impact, as the present penalty is already thought of efficient.
Learn extra:
Rushing drivers hold breaking the legislation even after fines and crashes: new analysis
The place to now?
There are two most important actions that might improve drivers’ perceptions of the chance of being caught for tailgating. These embody using cameras that may seize this behaviour, and extra police operations to detect the follow.
Within the UK, there are police operations to detect cellphone use whereas driving that use bigger automobiles to see what different drivers are doing extra simply. UK police additionally encourage drivers to ship in dash-cam footage of drivers violating street guidelines. Such measures may additionally be helpful for capturing tailgating.
The findings additionally establish that the chance of harm and sense of guilt related to tailgating are related to much less frequent engagement on this behaviour. So, those that tailgate ceaselessly seemingly don’t really feel a lot guilt about doing so and don’t take into consideration the chance of harm related to crashing. Subsequently, campaigns that concentrate on these components is one other space to think about for stopping tailgating.
Taken collectively, the analysis findings spotlight that tailgating stays a pervasive drawback. Each authorized and non-legal components must be a part of efforts to counter this behaviour.
Tailgating could seem minor, however it’s traumatic for different drivers and harmful. We should take a look at methods to curb this behaviour.
Michelle Nicolls receives funding from the Motor Accident Insurance coverage Fee (MAIC).
This analysis was funded by the Motor Accident Insurance coverage Fee.
This analysis was partially supported by the Motor Accident Fee (MAIC) Queensland. The views expressed herein are these of the authors and should not essentially these of the MAIC.
Verity Truelove receives funding from the Motor Accident Insurance coverage Fee (MAIC).
