ICBC says it’s best to leave tailgating for football and off the roads.
According to a new ICBC survey by Ipsos, 77 per cent of drivers admit to tailgating or following too closely behind a vehicle on occasion, but 86 per cent also say being tailgated makes them feel frustrated, scared, angry, or even intimidated.
When asked why they tailgate, half of respondents said it’s because the driver ahead is travelling below the speed limit, while 30 per cent blame slower drivers in the fast lane. Additionally, 17 per cent admitted they tailgate to block others from cutting in, and 16 per cent said they’re in a rush to get where they’re going.
The survey also states city streets are the most common place for tailgating, with 84 per cent of drivers saying it happens there, while 82 per cent reported it on highways.
“Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re sharing the road, and how you drive affects everyone around you,” said ICBC Road Safety Program Manager Kathleen Nadalin.
“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 are one of the most common types of collisions reported to ICBC, with tailgating often being a contributing factor. The insurance corporation said more than 57,000 rear-end collisions were reported last year alone.
While many drivers admitted to tailgating, even more recognized the importance of maintaining a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of them.
95 per cent of drivers surveyed said they are likely to maintain a following distance of at least two seconds when driving at 50 kilometres per hour or less on city streets, while 92 per cent stated they’re likely to keep at least a three-second gap when traveling at 80 kilometres per hour or more.
More results from the survey can be found here.
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