Most drivers in B.C. admit to this aggressive driving behaviour

Traffic crosses over the Lions Gate Bridge from North Vancouver into Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday July 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Tailgating, arguably one of the biggest pet peeves for drivers, is rampant on B.C. roads, according to a new survey.

An Ipsos survey commissioned by ICBC found that over three quarters of motorists in the province, 77 per cent, admitted to following too closely behind a vehicle while driving, despite an even larger proportion of drivers saying that this form of aggressive driving made them feel uncomfortable.

According to the survey, published in a news release by ICBC Tuesday, 86 per cent of drivers said being tailgated made them feel frustrated, scared, angry or intimidated.

The majority of those who admitted to the driving offence said they felt compelled to do it out of frustration, with half of the respondents citing the driver in front travelling too slow, or below the speed limit, as the reason, and 30 per cent blaming slower drivers being in the fast lane.

A smaller portion, 17 per cent, admitted to tailgating to block others from cutting in front of them, while 16 per cent said they were following swiftly behind the driver in front simply because they were in a rush.

The respondents were divided on what they considered the correct way to deal with angry tailgaters, with just under half saying that they choose to travel to a different lane when it is safe, and 28 per cent saying they try to ignore the aggressive behaviour while continuing to maintain the speed limit.

Others take more drastic and dangerous approaches, like the nine per cent of respondents who said they deliberately slow down to send a message to the person behind them, or the seven per cent of those surveyed who admitted to speeding up when being tailgated to create more space. Just over a 10th of respondents, 11 per cent, said they resolve the situation by pulling over to let the vehicle behind them pass.

On many occasions, the unsafe driving behaviour is made more so due to the location of where it is occurring, with construction, playground and school zones – where extra caution and reduced speed is not only advised but lawfully required – reported as being places where tailgating is experienced.

According to the survey, 84 per cent of drivers say they have also been tailgated on city streets, 82 per cent reported experiencing it on the highways, and 75 per cent have been tailgated in the fast or HOV lanes, where speed is already expected.

ICBC’s road safety program manager Kathleen Nadalin issued a reminder that tailgating isn’t just aggressive, it’s dangerous.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re sharing the road, and how you drive affects everyone around you,” she said in the release.

“It cuts your reaction time, increases your risk of a crash, and puts pressure on the driver ahead. A safe following distance isn’t just a courtesy, it’s a critical part of keeping everyone safe,” said Nadalin.

One of the most common types of crashes reported to ICBC are those of the rear-end variety, often with tailgating being a contributing factor. In 2024, more than 57,000 rear-end collisions were reported on roads throughout the province.

“Remember, the only place tailgating is fun is at a football game, not on the road,” said Nadalin.

The Ipsos survey collected data online between March 21 and 25, from 800 completed surveys. Those surveyed met the criteria of having a valid B.C. driver’s licence and self-reported having driven since receiving their licence.