Tailgating and Other Forms of Aggressive Driving that Cause Accidents in Delaware

In the event that you become injured in an accident caused by aggressive tailgating behavior, you may be able to take legal action against the negligent driver. You may want to discuss your case with one of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman. We are here to answer your questions and represent your interests in your quest for compensation when you have been injured.

Anyone who drives on Delaware roads and highways can tell you that aggressive driving is becoming more and more of a problem. Tailgating is one of the most dangerous forms of aggressive driving. It causes accidents because when one vehicle is following too closely to another one, they have eliminated the distance required to come to a stop safely without crashing into the vehicle ahead of them.

According to one AAA research report, aggressive driving is one of the top safety issues for motorists in the U.S. It poses a severe threat to traffic safety, but it can be quite challenging to quantify. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving in this way: “when individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” In their research report, AAA contends that any unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety can constitute aggressive driving.

Tailgating causes rear-end crashes, which are the most common type of car crash. At low speeds, rear-end crashes may result in property damage and minor injuries, but traveling at highway speeds, tailgating can cause a deadly accident and serious traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, broken bones and cuts and lacerations.

Tailgating is just one example of an aggressive driving behavior. It can be motivated by:

• Careless or distracted driving
• Negligent driving
• Speeding to get to a destination
• Intimidation of other drivers

The problem with tailgating is that it only increases the driver’s chance of getting into an accident. There was a time when driver’s education instruction included the rule of keeping the distance of a single car length for every ten mile per hour you were traveling as a safe distance to follow another vehicle. There is also the three second rule, which means that when the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed point on the road, there should be at least three seconds before you pass the same point. The three second rule applies in daylight and clear weather conditions. When it is dark, and when the weather has limited visibility, you can wait six seconds.

When you are driving behind another vehicle, it is your responsibility to keep a safe distance, and to observe when the forward car comes to a stop or makes a turn.

Avoiding tailgating accidents

The NHTSA recommends the following road safety tips to avoid tailgating accidents:

• Follow the posted speed limits
• Use your turn signals
• Slow down before stopping
• Keep a safe following distance
• Only pass using the left lane

If you are driving and another vehicle is tailgating you, increase the distance between yourself and the car behind you. If they persist, find a safe opportunity to allow them to pass you.

You are welcome to call us at 302.414.5553 or fill out our quick contact form to find out more about our legal services and to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Silverman, McDonald & Friedman proudly serves clients throughout Delaware from our offices in Newark, Seaford and Wilmington.