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Tailgating: Two Contexts, Two Meanings
Tailgating:There are two popular connotations to this term.First deals with the traffic condition and the other is related with enjoyment.Following a vehicle very closely is called Tailgating.Enjoying a sports event with your friends in the parking space is called a Tail gate party.This article explains both these terms.
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If you ask me what is the single word replacement for Football, Fans,Fun, and food ? My answer is “Tailgating”. Tailgating is the culture of partying in the parking lot in the premises of a sports complex.This has become the synonym for celebrations in the context of a sporting event.
Just Imagine this scene: Its a sunny morning.Your red Toyota stands in the parking lot at the local football stadium .There are a couple of other cars near your car.These cars belong to your friends.There are several families assembled at the parking lot.The rear end doors of a few cars are open.On the rear side space,a small tent has been erected.There are folding tables and chairs informally organised behind the cars.
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There are kids running all round the cars and enjoying the music.There are lots of sumptuous dishes organised on the tables.There is a variety of alcoholic drinks readily available on the table.Every one is enjoying.
This is your tail gate party.
Tailgating when used in the parlance of traffic safety means the practice of following up the another vehicle at a distance lesser than the reaction time. Reaction time is the time required for a driver of a speeding vehicle to come to a halting position .Therefore, the reaction time is also the distance travelled by the vehicle after applying the breaks at a given velocity. So, reaction time is the minimum distance that must be maintained between the two vehicles.Higher is the speed of the successive vehicles in a traffic lane, higher has to be the reaction time.
Talking in simpler terms without going for technical jargon,tailgating can be defined as the practice of breathing down the neck of other vehicle.Imagine that you are in a lane.There is a car travelling behind you.Either You reduce the speed due to some obstruction ahead or the following vehicle has increased the speed due to some reason.So now the vehicles have moved very close to each other.( almost bumper to bumper) If now , the leading vehicle were to apply breaks ,there is going to be a rear end collision with the vehicle.
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