RACV finds tailgating as top road rage behaviour in Victoria

Following a poll asking Victorians what type of road rage behaviour they see most, RACV is reminding Victorian motorists to refrain from, and remain aware of dangerous road behaviours. 

Results from the more than 4,400 respondents to the poll showed that 38 per cent saw or experienced tailgating, followed by aggressive driving, abusive behaviour and excessive use of the horn. 

Road rage can include dangerous driving or abusive behaviour targeted at other motorists, and the impacts can be fatal if a collision were to occur.

RACV’s Head of Policy James Williams said tailgating is more dangerous than what motorists might expect.  

“Tailgating is a reckless behaviour and in a split second an incident could cause the front driver to brake suddenly, resulting in a potentially significant crash between the tailgater and driver in front,” Mr Williams said. 

“Additionally, extreme tailgating behaviour can divert the front driver’s concentration and impact their driving confidence, resulting in collisions or unsafe driving speeds.”

Motorists should be aware that in Victoria, tailgating is illegal. Failing to drive a safe distance behind a vehicle, or tailgating, can see offenders fined up to $248 and one demerit point.

“It’s just not worth the risk to tailgate. Always provide a safe enough distance from the car in front of you. 

"That safe distance is dependent on factors including speed limits, road infrastructure and weather conditions, however a rule of thumb is to keep at least a two-second gap between you and the car in front,” Mr Williams said. 

RACV provides the following suggestions for motorists who experience road rage:

•       Stay calm and maintain a safe speed. Don't accelerate to increase the distance between you and the tailgater.

•       Prioritise safety and focus on the road ahead. Don’t let yourself become distracted by other occurrences inside the car.

•       Change lanes (if on a highway or freeway) or allow the tailgater to pass when safe.

•       When safe to do so, report the incident to the police, noting the car’s make, model and registration number, if captured, as well as the area it occurred.

For more information on road safety visit the RACV website.