Tailgating causes big spike in Sydney car crashes

A growing number of collisions on Sydney roads are being caused by tailgating as more and more drivers get into the bad habit of travelling too close to the car in front of them.

New data released by toll road operator Transurban has highlighted specific hotspots and peak times for these incidents, raising concerns about road safety.

"There are two main things that contribute to that. One is tailgating following the lead vehicle too closely and the other is when they're distracted," Transurban road safety manager Dr Karen Stephan said.

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The Westconnex network has recorded 377 crashes since the beginning of the year, predominantly rear-end collisions. 

The M5 South West has seen 164 incidents, with the highest frequency occurring between 6-9am in the Moorebank and Wattle Grove areas. 

The Hills M2 is also experiencing issues with tailgating, with nearly half of vehicles observed travelling less than two seconds behind each other during peak hours at speeds exceeding 80 kilometres per hour. 

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Secondary crashes in the Easter Distributor and NorthConnex, meanwhile, are up around 15 per cent since the start of last year.

The data underscores the importance of maintaining a safe following distance. Experts say drivers should keep at least three seconds behind the vehicle in front of them. 

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.