Why Tailgating Is the Most Dangerous Behavior on the Road
Drivers who tailgate distort their perception and reaction times. Perception involves the time needed to see and recognize a roadway hazard, such as a vehicle suddenly braking. Reaction time is the time necessary for a driver’s body to physically react to their brain’s perception of danger. When a driver tailgates, both perception and reaction times are reduced. It takes alert drivers approximately two seconds to see a roadway hazard and react to it. The more space a driver allows between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them, the more time the driver has to see a hazard and react safely. Drivers need to consider the size and weight of their vehicles when judging a proper following distance. Larger and heavier vehicles need more distance to stop. For example, passenger cars may rely on the two-second rule, whereas larger vehicles may require more time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates commercial trucks, says that truck drivers traveling at 40 mph need to allow four seconds between the typical tractor-trailer and the vehicle ahead. “For speeds over 40 mph, you should leave one additional second,” the FMCSA tells truck drivers. The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study reported that 5% of truck accidents occurred when the truck driver was following another vehicle too closely.
and large pickup trucks should allow 3–4 seconds between their vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Because a tailgating driver does not have time to stop, rear-end accidents in traffic often happen at high speeds. Speed compounds the impact of a collision, which increases the seriousness of injuries and likelihood of death. The most common injury in a rear-end collision is a neck injury known as whiplash. The name describes the abrupt overextension of an individual’s neck when struck from behind. Whiplash can cause the following:
* Muscle strain * Ligament strain or rupture
* Disk damage * Nerve damage * Fractures of the cervical vertebrae
The abrupt back-and-forth movement suffered by vehicle occupants hit in a rear-end accident can also cause injuries to the back and spinal cord. Tailgating is never worth it. It serves no practical purpose other than to bully other drivers on the road. If you find yourself being tailgated, then the safest thing you can do is move to change lanes, if possible. While we may not want to give in to a bully, staying safe on the road is far more important.
Keep in mind that the smallest passenger vehicles weigh about 2,500 pounds. Drivers of heavier passenger vehicles such as full-size SUVs
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Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken and tomatoes on a warm summer’s evening. It’s a simple recipe that packs a flavor punch.
INGREDIENTS
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2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic
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8 Roma tomatoes
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
DIRECTIONS
1. For marinade: In blender, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar, and basil. Cut 2 tomatoes into quarters and add to mixture. Cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling. 2. In bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade.
3. Heat grill to about 350–400 F. Lightly oil grates. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165 F, about 4–6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes until lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes per side. Discard remaining marinade. 4. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.
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