How To Prevent Tailgating In Parking

Tailgating in parking is a frequently discussed topic in the parking industry, and for a good reason: this costly and dangerous practice has long been a source of frustration for parking lot operators. However, it's more than just an annoyance; if there aren't clear procedures in place to prevent it, drivers rushing to beat the barrier may cause revenue loss as well as serious safety hazards for pedestrians and other vehicles. This blog will first define tailgating in parking, then investigate its causes and consequences, and finally offer some recommendations for permanently putting an end to the practice.

What is tailgating in parking? 

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed a car following you so closely that you're afraid it's going to hit you? That is called tailgating on the road, and it is dangerous because it increases the likelihood of a collision. As a result, it is illegal in the majority of states, and violators face fines and other penalties.

On roads with heavier traffic, in tunnels with limited visibility, and when vehicles enter or exit junctions or roundabouts, the Highway Code requires drivers to leave at least a two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front. Tailgating is a contributing factor in one out of every eight crashes on the road today, which is why people are more conscious of this kind of tailgating, but what is tailgating in parking, and why is it also quite dangerous?

Tailgating in parking is when a driver follows another vehicle too closely when entering or exiting a parking lot. It is an illegal practice in which a vehicle enters a car park without being first validated by the gate or access control system. This is not an accident; it is done on purpose by people who believe that by doing so they can avoid paying for parking, enter a restricted parking zone or help someone out.

This dangerous driving could have serious consequences for both drivers and pedestrians present in the parking lot area. When a driver tailgates, he or she risks rear-ending the vehicle ahead of them. This can result in damage to both vehicles and injury to the drivers or passengers.

Furthermore, this reckless behavior endangers security by allowing unauthorized entry into secured parking lots and building spaces intended for authorized individuals only.

Why does tailgating happen?

There are a lot of reasons why people tailgate, and they're not all malicious—most of the time, people do it simply because they want to:

• Reduce the waiting time

When you're in a hurry, tailgating is a convenient way to reduce your wait time at the gate and get into the car park faster.

• Assist a friend

People in gated communities are usually very accommodating when a friend or neighbor forgets their keyfob or access credentials and needs to tailgate in.

While it is considered harmless in the cases described above, when malicious intent is present  it can have serious consequences, such as:

• Lost of parking revenue

Parking lot operators often struggle with drivers who tailgate to avoid paying the parking fee. This can cause serious revenue loss for many businesses that depend on paid parking, so it's important that it’s addressed properly. Unfortunately, many drivers still see it as an easy way to save some money, so parking managers need to find the right solution to overcome this issue.

• Security breach

Unauthorized individuals who want to enter your parking lot without being identified also tend to tailgate. They wait for their chance and trail someone who has already been granted permission to enter. This way they can gain access to restricted areas without being asked for identification or otherwise questioned. This can be a major issue for your company or institution because it facilitates unauthorized individuals' access to restricted areas.

Tailgating can happen only if your parking access control system lacks adequate user authentication and authorization controls, which is why we'll look at what you can do to prevent this problem in your lot next.

How can I prevent this problem from happening in my parking lot?

Tailgating is widely regarded as one of the most serious security breaches that a car park manager can face, yet many are unprepared to deal with it. If you do not take steps to prevent this security violation, you might endanger your employees and customers. It can lead to unwanted consequences, such as theft or vandalism of vehicles that are parked in your parking lot.  So, let's go over what you can do to avoid tailgating in your managed parking area

1. Acknowledge the problem

Preventing tailgating requires some planning on your part as well as an investment in security systems that are designed specifically for parking lots. The first step in any successful prevention effort is admitting that there is a problem. You must understand how widespread this problem is and the security risks it poses if left unchecked. 

When you understand the prevalence of tailgating and its potential consequences, you can take precautions to keep your car park safe from this dangerous behavior.

2. Increase awareness

Raising awareness among employees and customers about what tailgating is and how it can be avoided is the second step in prevention. This is particularly important for large corporations or city institutions that handle sensitive information. Make sure you have a clear policy in place that explains what tailgating is and how it can be avoided. You should also emphasize to your employees the importance of staying alert at all times and remaining aware of their surroundings, especially when entering parking spaces. Make it clear what they should do if they see an unauthorized tailgater or have access equipment problems. 

You might also consider installing speed bumps at the entrance of your parking lot, which will make it more difficult for tailgaters to speed up behind a vehicle that enters with credentials.

3. Employ smart parking technology

The third step in preventing tailgating is utilizing smart parking technology that can identify people trying to enter your parking lot without permission. Today's market offers a variety of software-based solutions, including RFID and ANPR-based authentication systems. 

The RFID access control systems use key fobs or access cards to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the parking lot, whereas the ANPR technology uses a camera that recognizes license plate numbers on moving vehicles, ensuring that only authorized vehicles are allowed access in protected areas. Employing smart parking technology will not only improve safety but also increase efficiency by reducing the amount of time that your security team must spend on supervising parking access points.

Smart access control systems are an especially useful tool for large institutions or corporations because they provide detailed analytics on who is coming in and out of your parking facility and how long they stay.  

4. Guarantee protection with a reliable system installed by professional

The fourth step in eliminating tailgating is to guarantee protection to your parking lot users by using a reliable system that has been installed by an experienced professional who understands all aspects of preventing this hazardous habit.

When it comes to controlling access to your parking area, quality matters. This is why this step is critical: it protects your parking lot, company, institution, or gated community from tailgaters and other intruders.

After you've followed all of the prescribed steps, you can relax knowing that your property is well-protected.

5. Maximize security with seamless integration 

The final step is incorporating multiple layers of security into your parking facility so that there are no weak points through which an unauthorized individual could enter without being detected by one of your systems. This means relying on an integrated system that uses both physical access control barriers like gates, chain doors, or retractable bollards as well as software-based solutions such as ANPR camera authentication systems or card readers.

When you're looking for a parking operation management solution, you want to choose one that can help ensure that all of your facilities are secure and that your staff will be able to respond quickly when an incident occurs. 

Incorporating this type of layered approach helps ensure that all areas are monitored and secured at all times, preventing tailgating and other types of unauthorized entry into your facility.

Put an end to tailgating in your parking lot  

Getting parking lot security wrong can have a disastrous impact on your business and community. When tailgaters go uncontrolled, they may cause property damage, reduce your parking revenue, and possibly lead to theft or vandalism. That's why it's important to raise awareness of this problem among those concerned and invest in a high-quality parking access control system to deter tailgaters and other intruders. There are many great options available today, some of which can even be integrated into your existing security system, so we encourage you to consider them if you're currently experiencing this issue.