‘LEAVE MORE ROOM’

Eight people died in 73 road accidents caused by tailgating in three months,

ABU DHABI // Eight people were killed and three seriously injured in 73 traffic accidents caused by tailgating in the first quarter of this year, authorities said.

Tailgating was one of the main causes of traffic accidents between January and April, when 5,150 fines were issued on Abu Dhabi roads.

“Not maintaining sufficient distance between vehicles increases the risk of rear-end collisions, as motorists do not have enough time or distance to stop should the vehicle in front come to a sudden and unexpected halt,” said Col Ahmed Al Zuwaidi, the director of main roads at Abu Dhabi traffic police.

Dr Britta Lang, head of Transport Research Laboratory in the UAE and a psychologist, said: “Tailgating can be an act of intimidation to get slower drivers in front to give way.

“It might be that drivers are concerned that someone will cut in front of them if they leave a sufficiently large gap.

“In either case, the driver who tailgates puts himself and others at risk.”

Roshanara Sait, director of Ciel Marketing and Events, which organises road safety campaigns, said drivers tended to overestimate their skills, become negligent and were unaware of the dangers of tailgating.

“At 40kph, the stopping distance required is 15 metres, as the speed doubles the distance quadruples,” she said. “A driver should maintain a 3-second gap behind any vehicle in front. This rule helps to reduce the risk and severity of a collision.” Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, said: “It’s a pity that UAE motorists don’t get it : just leave enough distance to the vehicle in front.”

From July 1, drivers will be fined Dh400 and receive four black points on their licence for tailgating.