At one point or another, we’ve all witnessed it—someone in a hurry, dangerously tailing the car in front of them. This is unfortunately all too common on the roads, and the dangerous behavior can significantly increase the chances of rear-end collisions, one of the most frequent types of accidents.Â
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tailgating contributes to nearly 30 percent of crashes on the road. Beyond accidents, tailgating causes tension between drivers on the road, leading to road rage and creating a more hazardous environment for everyone on the road. While it’s impossible to control other drivers on the road, fleets can take proactive measures to reduce the risk and prevent their drivers from tailgating.Â
For fleets, bad decisions on the road can go beyond the driver—it can affect the entire operation. Fleet managers must tackle tailgating not just for safety, but for financial reasons too. Tailgating-related accidents lead to costly repairs, higher insurance premiums, and extended vehicle downtime. Moreover, a pattern of frequent accidents can damage your fleet’s reputation, eroding customer trust. In the end, fleet managers need to prioritize driver safety to protect both their drivers and their bottom line.
Behavioral Drivers of Tailgating
Drivers can tailgate due to various reasons, many of which are related to driver behavior, but other external pressures can also play into it. Understanding all the causes is important if fleet managers want to improve their fleet safety and compliance:
- Rushing to Meet Deadlines
Drivers may feel pressure to stay on schedule, causing them to follow too closely to the car in front of them to reduce travel time.  - Impatience in Traffic
Slow-moving vehicles or congestion can cause frustration, causing drivers to tailgate to move faster.  - Lack of Knowledge
Some drivers are unaware of the recommended safe following distances and how important it is to prevent accidents.  - Overconfidence
Drivers may believe they can control their vehicle well enough that they can get close to the vehicle in front of them with no risk. - Misjudging
Drivers sometimes underestimate the time or distance required to stop safely, particularly at higher speeds or in poor conditions. Â
Enforcing safe driving behavior across a fleet can be challenging if managers cannot monitor drivers. Without real-time data, it is impossible for fleet managers to know when tailgating occurs and to correct it before it leads to accidents. This can make maintaining consistent compliance with safety standards a struggle for fleet managers.
The Role of Technology in Eliminating Tailgating
Technology plays a key role in improving driver safety and addressing tailgating within fleets. Using tools like telematics and AI dashcams can provide real-time insights so fleet managers can improve driver behavior and promote safer driving habits:
- Driver Behavior Monitoring
Telematics can monitor driver behavior in real time, so fleets have complete visibility into driver habits. Alerts are sent immediately to fleet managers, so they can gather data to correct the unsafe behavior. - AI Dashcams
AI Dashcams can detect tailgating incidents and record the footage so fleet managers can analyze the situation back in the office. AI dashcams can help provide fleets with valuable insights that allow both drivers and managers to understand what led to the behavior and take corrective actions. - Driver Report Cards
Driver report cards are generated using telematics data, so drivers have detailed insights into their driving habits, including tailgating. By having telematics analyze metrics like following distance, fleet managers can identify and address unsafe habits, and use that data to coach drivers and reduce tailgating incidents.
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How AssetWorks Can Help
AssetWorks GPS can help fleets like yours reduce tailgating by monitoring and notifying them of any poor driving behaviors, all in real-time. The vehicle tracking software tracks vehicle locations and detects tailgating incidents. When integrated with our AI dashcam, fleet managers can set alerts for tailgating, allowing them to address and coach drivers as needed. Having video footage to review with drivers allows for thorough reviews and efficient coaching.Â
Data from both these solutions is stored and analyzed, helping fleet managers spot trends and improve their safety programs. By leveraging telematics and AI dashcams, fleets can reduce tailgating incidents, protect their drivers, and minimize the risk of accidents- leading to reduced liability and better fleet performance. It is a win-win for everyone!
