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last mo.

Majority of B.C. Drivers Admit Tailgating but Feel Intimidated When Others Do It

A new Ipsos survey shows tailgating is widespread on city streets and highways, raising rear-end collision risks.

Photo credit: Nicholas Pescod
ICBC says B.C. drivers engage in risky behaviour like tailgating and that can lead to an increased risk of rear-end crashes.
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Overview

  • An online Ipsos poll of 800 licensed B.C. drivers conducted March 21–25 found that 77% admit to following the vehicle ahead too closely.
  • Eighty-six percent of respondents report feeling frustrated, scared, angry or intimidated when they are tailgated.
  • Half of drivers say they tailgate because the vehicle ahead is travelling below the speed limit and 30% cite slower traffic in the fast lane.
  • Tailgating occurs on 84% of city roads and 82% of highways and contributed to over 57,000 rear-end collisions reported to ICBC last year.
  • ICBC’s road safety manager recommends maintaining at least three seconds of following distance and advises changing lanes or slowing down to let tailgaters pass.