Why Tailgating Seems to Be Getting Worse on Arizona Roads

Nothing says “I’m not from Arizona” like poor driving habits. I lived in California for a short time, and the rules and speed limits there seem more like suggestions than rules. In the last few weeks, I’ve seen cars weaving in and out of traffic on Highway 92, vehicles changing lanes and making turns without signaling, and don’t get me started on the tailgating.

Whether I’m driving along Buffalo Soldier Trail, heading across town, or merging onto I-10, it seems like the driver behind me is trying to get into my trunk.

green chevrolet pickup truck parked on road side during daytime

I glance in my rearview mirror, and I can practically read the brand name on their sunglasses. Could they get any closer?

It doesn’t matter how fast I’m going, either. I could be going faster than the posted speed limit, and the car behind me is still breathing down my neck. You may have an Arizona license plate on your car, but nothing says “I’m really from California” like your sketchy driving habits.  It’s stressful, unnecessary, and dangerous.

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A california license plate displaying

What Arizona Law Says

It’s not just dangerous; Arizona law doesn’t clearly define this bad habit under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-730.

The law states that a driver may not follow another vehicle more closely than is “reasonable and prudent,” taking into account speed, traffic conditions, and roadway conditions.

Unlike some states, Arizona does not specify an exact number of feet or seconds drivers must maintain. Instead, officers evaluate whether the following distance was safe under the circumstances.

READ: What Are The Laws For Riding In A Truck Bed In Arizona?

A police car and a red car on the highway

The Math Behind Stopping Distance

Arizona law may not clearly define what counts as tailgating, but the laws of physics are a little clearer. At 50 miles per hour, a vehicle traveling on Buffalo Soldier Trail travels about 73 feet every second.

A driver’s average reaction time is about 1.5 seconds, meaning the vehicle travels roughly 110 feet before the brakes are applied. Add braking distance, which can exceed 75 feet on dry pavement, and the total stopping distance can approach 185 to 200 feet.

a blackboard with a lot of writing on it

If you’re tailgating and you have to stop suddenly in good weather, you’re going to end up on my bumper. If you’re driving on a monsoon-slick road, you’ll find yourself in my back seat. That leaves very little margin for error, so make some space!

RELATED: Passing on the Right in Arizona: What You Need to Know

Can You Get a Ticket?

In Arizona, law enforcement largely decides whether to ticket for tailgating, but you can still be cited.

Drivers can get a ticket for following too closely if an officer determines they violated Arizona’s safe-distance law. A tailgating citation is typically a civil traffic violation. Fines vary by court and jurisdiction but are often around $100 to $250, and the violation could also add points to a driver’s record according to legalfix.com.

READ: What's The Law In AZ? Is It Illegal to Park in Front of a House?

a police car parked on the side of the road

A Simple Hope for Safer Roads

I don’t live in California, but I have to visit from time to time. The most stressful part of staying there is not stopping by my in-laws' house—it’s driving there. Tailgating and other bad habits on the road make it a soul-sucking experience, which is why I think it would be nice if drivers from other states (looking at you, Cali) conformed to our safer, more laid-back driving habits instead of the other way 'round.

gray asphalt road near brown mountain under white clouds during daytime

Let’s all give each other a little more space on the road. A few extra seconds of following distance can prevent crashes, injuries, and life-changing consequences. Tailgating might save a moment, but it can cost much more. Slow down and back off—the life you save may be your own!