Increasing incidents of tailgating are contributing to a surge in collisions on Sydney’s roads, revealing a troubling trend among drivers who are increasingly tailing the vehicle in front. Recent statistics released by Transurban, a toll road operator, have identified particular hotspots and peak times for these dangerous encounters, raising serious concerns about road safety.
Dr. Karen Stephan, Transurban’s road safety manager, pointed out that two primary factors are contributing to this issue: the practice of tailgating and driver distraction. Such behaviours not only endanger the driver but also increase the risk of accidents for everyone on the road.
The WestConnex network has documented 377 crashes within the current year, mostly classified as rear-end collisions. Specific areas, such as the M5 South West, have reported 164 incidents, particularly between 6 to 9 am, indicating that morning traffic patterns exacerbate the problem. Notably, the Moorebank and Wattle Grove regions are identified as frequent trouble spots.
In addition, the Hills M2 has seen significant tailgating issues, with nearly 50% of drivers observed maintaining less than two seconds of separation from the car ahead during rush hour, typically at speeds surpassing 80 kilometres per hour. Alarming trends extend to secondary collisions as well, with incidents on the Easter Distributor and NorthConnex increasing by around 15% since last year.
These figures evoke a critical reminder about the importance of maintaining a safe following distance. Road safety experts recommend that drivers should keep at least a three-second gap to ensure adequate reaction time and to prevent collisions.
As these statistics illustrate, it is vital for drivers in Sydney to improve their driving habits and adhere to safety guidelines, particularly regarding maintaining safe distances from other vehicles, to reduce the risk of accidents on the roads.