Make sure you are not tailgating the wrong way in your new or used car

Wouldn’t you rather be tailgating at a Bengals game then tailgating like the picture on the left? I know I would!

Tailgating is when a driver follows the vehicle in front too closely.  The closer you follow the vehicle in front of you, the less time you have react. Tailgating the car in front of you will never speed up your trip, so don’t do it! Even if you are in a hurry or stressed out. If the person you are tailgating has to stop suddenly, you will absolutely be in the wrong when you “accidentally” hit them from behind.

Here are some guidelines to help you determine a safe distance when traveling on certain road conditions:

1. The Two-Second Rule - If you are on a dry and clear road, count two seconds to safely gauge the distance between you and the car in front of you.  When the car in front of you drives past a sign or pole, you should reach the count of two before you pass the same sign or pole.

2. Four-Second Rule -This is for when the roadways are wet and rainy.  In these conditions, you should employ a four second gap between you and the car in front of you.

3. 10-Second Rule - This rule applies to icy and snowy conditions when the roadways are at their worst.  This may seem like a large distance, but every winter there are an enormous number of weather related accidents.  Better to be safe than sorry after an accident.

Avoid needless accidents by traveling a safe distance behind other vehicles!