The Dangers of Tailgating: Following the Vehicle Ahead Could Spark an Accident

Jakarta, KOMPAS.com - The traffic conditions in densely crowded urban areas often lead some motorcycle riders to look for ways to make their journey feel faster. One habit still commonly seen is tailgating, following directly behind the vehicle in front, particularly behind cars travelling faster. According to Victor Assani, Chair of the Road Safety and Motorsport Division of the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI), this habit actually poses a risk of causing accidents, especially on congested urban roads with various hazards. He explains that when riders are fixated on the vehicle in front, their overall focus on traffic conditions can diminish. In urban streets, situations can change rapidly, ranging from vehicles stopping abruptly, pedestrians crossing, to uneven road surfaces. He notes that the risk increases further if motorcyclists tailgate large vehicles such as lorries or buses. In addition to limited visibility, the braking characteristics of large vehicles can differ. “If the vehicle in front brakes suddenly while the distance is too close, the rider behind almost has no room to react. This often ends in an accident,” he said. Besides collisions with other vehicles, tailgating can also trigger single-vehicle accidents, for example when riders fail to avoid potholes or speed bumps because their view is blocked by the vehicle in front. Therefore, Victor reminded riders to always maintain a safe distance and not be tempted to follow other vehicles too closely merely to speed up their journey.