A Large Vehicle Following Closely Behind Is A Safety Hazard
It’s a situation many drivers have encountered on the road—a large vehicle following too closely behind you. It can be quite a scary experience and can create a significant safety hazard. So, what is it called when a large vehicle is following too closely behind you?
The answer is tailgating. Tailgating occurs when a vehicle follows too closely behind another vehicle. It is considered a dangerous driving practice and one that can easily result in a crash.
When a larger vehicle is tailgating you, it reduces the time you have to react to situations in front of you, such as cars that brake suddenly. As a result, tailgating can lead to rear-end collisions, which can cause significant damage to the vehicles involved. It can also lead to serious personal injuries, as those in the back vehicle may not have adequate time to react and may be ejected from their vehicle in a crash.
Tailgating also happens to be illegal in many states. The exact laws vary, but most states consider driving too closely behind another vehicle a form of reckless driving, and a ticketable offense.
To avoid becoming a victim of tailgating, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid driving in the blind spots of large vehicles, such as semi-trucks and busses. It’s also important to maintain an appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, to give yourself extra time to respond to any unexpected changes in the situation.
If you do find yourself in a situation where a large vehicle is tailgating you, the best thing to do is to slow down and pull over when it is safe to do so. This will allow the following vehicle to pass and maintain a safe distance.
In short, a large vehicle following closely behind is a safety hazard called tailgating. It’s important to remain aware of your surroundings to avoid becoming a victim of tailgating, and to pull over and let the following vehicle pass if you do find yourself in such a situation. Following these safety tips can help keep you and those around you safe.