Many whiplash injuries could be avoided if motorists stopped driving so close to the vehicle in front said a Kildare Accident Solicitor today.
Liam Moloney, a Naas Solicitor criticised drivers dangerous driving and said it was leading to avoidable accidents. “When drivers tailgate, they significantly reduce their stopping distance – or the distance needed to come to a complete and safe stop. What many drivers don’t realise is that the stopping distance is directly proportionate to the size and weight of their vehicle. Tailgating is extremely dangerous as stopping distances increase up to 10 times on icy and wet roads further increasing the chance of a collision” he said.
Mr Moloney added “surveys have shown that rear-end collisions account for nearly 30% of all road traffic collisions. It is clear that the closer you are to the car in front of you the less time you have to react to a problem on the road. If the car on front of you suddenly stops for one reason or another you may not have time to break completely and rear end the car in front of you. Worse still if multiple cars are tailgating on a motorway a chain reaction crash could occur resulting in possible multiple injuries for drivers and passengers”.
He continued “tailgating will not get you to your destination faster. The more space a driver allows between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them the more time they have to see a hazard and react safely. Drivers sacrifice critical elements when they are tailgating to include perception and reaction times”.
