Almost all of us in Deer Park have experienced the frustration of traveling behind slow-moving vehicles. When this happens, most of us are tempted to follow the vehicle more closely than we should. This is referred to as “tailgating.” Tailgating often leads to rear-end collisions, which are the most common type of vehicle crash according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
When we tailgate, we significantly reduce our stopping distance. Stopping distance is directly related to the size and weight of the vehicle. Thus, the stopping distance for a heavy truck is longer than it is for a small passenger car. Another critical effect of tailgating is reduced perception and reaction time, which are two separate time intervals. Perception is the time we need to see and process the roadway hazard, while reaction time is the time needed for a driver’s body to physically react to their brain’s perception. When you taillgate, both are significantly reduced.
According to most studies, it takes 2 seconds to see a roadway hazard and react to it. The more space you allow yourself between you and the vehicle in front of you, the more likely you are to avoid a rear-end collision. Likewise, if you feel like you are being tailgated, the best course of action is to move over to allow the tailgater to pass you, or safely speed up if you are traveling under the speed limit.
Deer Park Board Certified Personal Injury Attorneys Tony Denena and Chad Points know how to deal with tailgaters. We are experienced, respected, and tested. Call us TODAY to discuss your case. You are under no obligation to hire us. One of us will speak to you, answer all of your questions, and explain the process of hiring an attorney to you in great detail.