One in four Walloon drivers admits to tailgating

Tailgating remains a significant problem on Walloon roads, with one in four drivers admitting to the dangerous practice. The Walloon Agency for Road Safety (AWSR) surveyed drivers, revealing that 27% "admit that they sometimes tailgate the car in front to push its driver to accelerate or pull over." Additionally, 36% of Walloon drivers reported tailgating to prevent other motorists from merging into their lane.

Such behavior is not only discourteous but also poses serious risks. The AWSR explains that driving too closely leaves insufficient distance to react to sudden braking, increasing the likelihood of a collision. This practice is a major contributor to road accidents in Wallonia, with nearly one in five accidents involving fatalities or injuries (18%) being a rear-end or chain collision.

Statistics show that non-compliance with safety distances, often combined with distractions, fatigue, or excessive speed, is a primary cause of these accidents. Approximately 14% of these collisions, around 230 annually, are specifically linked to not maintaining a safe distance. These accidents result in about 400 victims each year, including three fatalities, with over half involving two vehicles.

While Belgium's traffic code does not specify a minimum following distance, it requires drivers to maintain a "sufficient safety distance" to be able to stop. The AWSR recommends maintaining a gap of at least two seconds between vehicles, a distance that increases with higher speeds.