Following too closely to the car in front of you can be described as?

Tailgating refers to the practice of following another vehicle at an unsafe distance, particularly to the point where there is insufficient space to react in the event that the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or slows down. This behavior significantly increases the risk of collision, especially if the driver in front must brake unexpectedly.

Understanding tailgating is crucial for safe driving. It not only reduces your adequate following distance but also limits your visibility and reaction time. The ideal following distance is commonly recommended to be at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. This allows for a safe cushion in which to react to potential hazards.

In contrast, speeding refers to driving above the legal speed limits, driving cautiously implies being careful and attentive on the road, and overtaking involves changing lanes to pass a slower-moving vehicle. None of these terms encapsulate the specific dangers associated with keeping an insufficient distance from the car in front, which is why tailgating is the most accurate description in this context.