Avoid hefty fines: Discover the price to pay for tailgating!
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Driving safely is a must. However, even the best and most experienced drivers can sometimes fall into bad habits, like tailgating, which puts everyone at risk and can also hit your wallet hard.
So, let's explore tailgating fines across Australia and some tips for maintaining a safe following distance.
To begin, let's clarify what the word ‘tailgating’ means. Tailgating refers to following the vehicle in front of you too closely. This reckless behaviour poses a serious threat, as it can lead to accidents, and is considered a violation of the law in nearly all Australian states and territories.
Now what does a 'safe following distance' entail?
Australian jurisdictions generally recommend maintaining a 3-second distance between your vehicle and the one in front. You can do this by watching when the lead vehicle passes a marker of your choosing—say, a tree by the roadside—and counting to three. You're too close if you reach the same marker before finishing the count!
Easier said than done, though, right? With aggressive drivers determined to close gaps and freeways teeming with cars, maintaining that distance can be tricky, but it's a must to prevent collisions.
The NSW Government states that a fit and alert driver needs about 1.5 to 2.5 seconds to react to a hazard. Add another 1.5 seconds for response time. In poor conditions, such as unsealed, icy, wet roads, or night drives, this space should be increased to 4 seconds or more—enough time to react and respond to potential hazards effectively.
In light of this, penalties for not maintaining a safe distance are enforced in every Australian state and territory. Let's have a look at what tailgating might cost you:
New South Wales: A whopping $464 fine and three demerit points under General Driving Offences Rule 126. This is the most severe fine for tailgating in Australia!
Victoria: A fine of up to $248 and one demerit point for 'failing to drive a sufficient distance behind a vehicle'.
South Australia: Two separate fines and demerit points: '$372 fine and one demerit point' and '$270 fine and one demerit point' for 'failing to keep a safe distance behind other vehicles' and 'minimum distance behind a long vehicle', respectively.
Queensland: $335 fine and one demerit point for not keeping at least a safe 2-6 second distance, depending on conditions, between your vehicle and the one in front.
Western Australia: A $200 fine and two demerit points if caught 'failing to follow a vehicle at a safe distance'.
Tasmania: $181 fine and a demerit point for 'following another vehicle too closely to stop safely'.
ACT: A significant $407 fine and one demerit point if found to 'drive behind another vehicle too closely to stop safely'.
Northern Territory: While no specific tailgating rule exists, the Northern Territory Government recommends the 'three-second rule', which doubles in length in wet or slippery conditions. Long vehicles, classified as those longer than 7.5 metres, are also advised to maintain at least a 200-metre gap from another long vehicle.
Of course, it’s always a wise choice to check with the relevant road authority in your area for specifics.
Please note that the information in this article is not intended as legal advice, and it is essential to be aware that fines and regulations can change. Staying updated on the current rules is advisable to ensure compliance with the laws in your specific state or territory.
To avoid fines and promote road safety, adhering to the recommended safe distances while driving is crucial! By doing so, you will not only prevent monetary penalties but also contribute to creating a safer environment for all road users.
We wish all our members safe and enjoyable driving experiences, and remember to prioritise safety at all times!
So, let's explore tailgating fines across Australia and some tips for maintaining a safe following distance.
To begin, let's clarify what the word ‘tailgating’ means. Tailgating refers to following the vehicle in front of you too closely. This reckless behaviour poses a serious threat, as it can lead to accidents, and is considered a violation of the law in nearly all Australian states and territories.
Tailgating is following the vehicle in front of you at an unsafe distance, reducing your ability to stop quickly and raising the likelihood of an accident. Credit: CarExpert.
Now what does a 'safe following distance' entail?
Australian jurisdictions generally recommend maintaining a 3-second distance between your vehicle and the one in front. You can do this by watching when the lead vehicle passes a marker of your choosing—say, a tree by the roadside—and counting to three. You're too close if you reach the same marker before finishing the count!
Easier said than done, though, right? With aggressive drivers determined to close gaps and freeways teeming with cars, maintaining that distance can be tricky, but it's a must to prevent collisions.
The NSW Government states that a fit and alert driver needs about 1.5 to 2.5 seconds to react to a hazard. Add another 1.5 seconds for response time. In poor conditions, such as unsealed, icy, wet roads, or night drives, this space should be increased to 4 seconds or more—enough time to react and respond to potential hazards effectively.
In light of this, penalties for not maintaining a safe distance are enforced in every Australian state and territory. Let's have a look at what tailgating might cost you:
New South Wales: A whopping $464 fine and three demerit points under General Driving Offences Rule 126. This is the most severe fine for tailgating in Australia!
Victoria: A fine of up to $248 and one demerit point for 'failing to drive a sufficient distance behind a vehicle'.
South Australia: Two separate fines and demerit points: '$372 fine and one demerit point' and '$270 fine and one demerit point' for 'failing to keep a safe distance behind other vehicles' and 'minimum distance behind a long vehicle', respectively.
Queensland: $335 fine and one demerit point for not keeping at least a safe 2-6 second distance, depending on conditions, between your vehicle and the one in front.
Western Australia: A $200 fine and two demerit points if caught 'failing to follow a vehicle at a safe distance'.
Tasmania: $181 fine and a demerit point for 'following another vehicle too closely to stop safely'.
ACT: A significant $407 fine and one demerit point if found to 'drive behind another vehicle too closely to stop safely'.
Northern Territory: While no specific tailgating rule exists, the Northern Territory Government recommends the 'three-second rule', which doubles in length in wet or slippery conditions. Long vehicles, classified as those longer than 7.5 metres, are also advised to maintain at least a 200-metre gap from another long vehicle.
Of course, it’s always a wise choice to check with the relevant road authority in your area for specifics.
Please note that the information in this article is not intended as legal advice, and it is essential to be aware that fines and regulations can change. Staying updated on the current rules is advisable to ensure compliance with the laws in your specific state or territory.
To avoid fines and promote road safety, adhering to the recommended safe distances while driving is crucial! By doing so, you will not only prevent monetary penalties but also contribute to creating a safer environment for all road users.
We wish all our members safe and enjoyable driving experiences, and remember to prioritise safety at all times!
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