A new survey has revealed 77% of drivers in British Columbia admit to “dangerous” tailgating or following too closely behind the vehicle in front on occasion.
However, when the roles are reversed, 86% of motorists say being tailgated makes them feel frustrated, scared, angry or even intimidated.
In the new Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) survey by Ipsos, drivers admitted tailgating when the driver ahead is travelling below the speed limit, going too slow, while 30% blamed slower drivers in the fast lane. Meanwhile, 17% admitted they tailgate to block others from cutting in, and 16% simply said they’re in a rush to get where they’re going.
“Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re sharing the road, and how you drive affects everyone around you,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC’s road safety program manager.
“Tailgating isn’t just aggressive, it’s dangerous. It cuts your reaction time, increases your risk of a crash, and puts pressure on the driver ahead. A safe following distance isn’t just a courtesy, it’s a critical part of keeping everyone safe. Remember, the only place tailgating is fun is at a football game, not on the road.”
According to ICBC, rear-end crashes remain one of most common type of collisions reported with tailgating often being a contributing factor. More than 57,000 rear-end collisions were reported to ICBC last year.
