Why do drivers tailgate — and does it actually help?

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we dig into one of the most emotionally charged habits on the road. Tailgating feels assertive, but it usually makes your drive slower, more stressful, and more dangerous for everyone around you.

In this episode:

• Why tailgating is an emotional behavior before it's a driving behavior
• The physics of following distance and reaction time
• Why tailgating rarely saves meaningful time
• How it affects the driver in front of you
• The counterintuitive response when someone is riding your bumper
• Why space management is the real solution

Whether you've been tailgated or caught yourself following too closely, this episode gives you a smarter framework for thinking about spacing, safety, and staying calm in traffic.

🎙️ Mastering the Commute — practical driving knowledge for real-world roads.

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