A whopping 77% of B.C. drivers admit they’re guilty of this terrible habit
Metro Vancouver drivers may have a few bad habits while on the road, but according to ICBC, there’s one that stands out more than others.
According to a recent survey from the provincial insurance provider, 77 per cent of B.C. drivers say they’re guilty of tailgating or following the vehicle in front of them too closely.
On the other hand, 86 per cent of drivers admitted that they feel “frustrated, scared, angry or even intimidated” when being tailgated.
The survey results also shed light on where this bad driving habit occurs most frequently.
The majority (84 per cent) of respondents said it occurs at least some times on city streets, while 82 per cent said they’ve experienced it on highways.
Even HOV lanes aren’t safe, as three-quarters of drivers surveyed said they experience tailgating in these sections of the highway.
Daily Hive Vancouver
Nearly 70 per cent (69) said they’ve been tailgated in playgrounds and school zones, where the reduced speed is legally required, while 73 per cent said they’ve had someone follow too close behind their vehicle in a construction zone.
As for how drivers react when being tailgated, 41 per cent said they move to another lane, and 28 per cent said they try to ignore the aggressive driver behind them and stick to the posted speed limit.
Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC’s road safety program manager, noted that tailgating is an “aggressive” and “dangerous” driving habit.
“It cuts your reaction time, increases your risk of a crash, and puts pressure on the driver ahead,” she stated in a news release.
“A safe following distance isn’t just a courtesy, it’s a critical part of keeping everyone safe. Remember, the only place tailgating is fun is at a football game, not on the road.”
Ipsos conducted the survey on behalf of ICBC from March 21 to 25, 2025, and a total of 800 respondents with a valid B.C. driver’s licence participated.
How do you feel about tailgaters on B.C. roads? Let us know in the comments.
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