Tailgating is Making Traffic Worse—for Everyone

Traffic Jams Suck!

Let’s be honest—tailgating isn’t new, and it’s not rare. It’s the daily soundtrack of Denver highways: horns, brake lights, and injury lawyer radio jingles reminding us what happens next. But here’s what people miss: tailgating isn’t just annoying, it breaks the flow of traffic, removes your options to avoid danger, and locks up the one tool that could save you—your steering wheel.

Many drivers today hug the car ahead because they’re terrified of getting “cut off.” But that mindset mistakes highway lanes for waiting lines. They’re not. On a multi-lane highway, traffic flows like a clock—slower cars move right, faster cars cycle through the left. If everyone leaves room, then each lane opens naturally and everyone gets where they’re going with less stress.

Here’s the deeper issue: when you tailgate, you remove your escape routes. If something happens ahead of you, you only have one option—slam the brakes. But anyone who’s taken a racing class knows: you can’t brake and steer at the same time. That’s how you end up understeering straight into the problem instead of around it. Leaving space gives you time and room to steer—and steering beats braking, every time.

It’s not just about safety. Leaving space also smooths out the flow of traffic. When cars can gently compress and decompress—like springs—they keep rolling. But when everyone stacks up bumper-to-bumper, the whole line becomes rigid. Nobody moves. And when your wheels aren’t turning, your fifth wheel—the steering wheel—is useless.

So next time someone cuts in front of you, don’t mash the horn. Just breathe. You’re further back now—which means you get first dibs when the left lane opens up. Give traffic space, let it flow, and drive like someone who’s seen the pattern. Because once you do, it’s obvious: tailgating doesn’t get you there faster. It just ruins the ride for everybody.

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By Dan Murad, Automotive Consultant & Driving Ethicist
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