A method, system, and computer program product for detecting a tailgate event between two vehicles moving in a forward motion is provided. The two vehicles include a first and second vehicle, one of the two vehicles being an offending vehicle and the other of the two vehicles being an affected vehicle. The system includes a range sensor that determines a distance between the two vehicles. The system also includes a processor that calculates a safe distance range between the two vehicles based upon speed, weight, and/or safe braking range values of one or both of the two vehicles; and compares the distance and the safe distance range. The system also includes a recording device on the affected vehicle. Based upon the comparison, the recording device is activated if the distance is less than the safe distance range indicating an unacceptable distance range value.