Aussie drivers are being warned of a common road habit that could cost them demerit points and a hefty fine, as offences hit a record high in one state.
New data released by the RAA shows 3,679 South Australian drivers were caught tailgating in 2025, the highest number of offences recorded in the state in more than a decade.
The figures come as road safety experts warn the behaviour will only get more dangerous as the winter season approaches.
RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain says there is no excuse for following too closely behind another vehicle.
MORE: ‘Fastest car ever’ stuns Formula 1 stars
“Failing to keep a safe following distance is one of the most preventable crash behaviours on our roads,” Mr Mountain said.
“A rear-end crash can happen without much warning. If you’re not giving yourself enough space, you’re not giving yourself enough time to react and bring your car to a stop.
“It is important that drivers leave a three-second gap between their vehicle and the vehicle in front – yet thousands are still following too closely.”
Mr Mountain said winter driving, with wet roads, fog, and reduced visibility, makes maintaining a three-second gap even more important.
“As we head into winter, wet roads, morning frost and reduced visibility make safe following distances even more critical – your stopping distance can double on a slippery surface.”
The warning comes as NRMA Insurance revealed 69,000 drivers have already lodged insurance claims since 1 January, with rear-end collisions the most common type of crash across Australia so far this year.
MORE: ‘Illegal’ tech war waging inside your car
And according to official data, 443 people have died on Australia’s roads in 2026, that’s up five per cent over the same period last year.
The legal definition, according to Astor Legal Lawyer, Avinash Singh, is when “a driver is not keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles.”
“While there is no specific distance prescribed by the rules, generally, a 3-second gap is acceptable,” he said.
NSW imposes some of the toughest penalties when it comes to tailgating.
Drivers can be fined $562 and 3 demerit points.
“However, if you appeal the matter to court, you can be subject to a maximum fine of $2,200,” Mr Singh said.
In Queensland, drivers face a $389 fine and one demerit point, with maximum court penalties of up to $3,200.
Victorian motorists can be fined $248 and lose one demerit point, while South Australians face a $504 fine and one demerit point.
Drivers in the ACT can be fined $420 and lose one demerit point, with court-imposed penalties reaching $3,300.
MORE: ‘That’s f*****d’: Tesla fires up after child death
Tasmania and Western Australia both impose $200 fines, while WA drivers also lose two demerit points.
Mr Singh said drivers being tailgated should avoid reacting suddenly or aggressively.
“If someone is tailgating you, the worst thing you can do is vary your speed. You should not increase your speed or decrease your speed,” Avinash said.
“The best advice is to stay calm, maintain a steady speed and let the tailgating vehicle pass when it is safe to do so by moving into another lane.”
