It’s one of the most obnoxious driving habits – that of following too closely behind the car in front. It’s also one of the most dangerous according to research that reveals tailgating contributes to one in eight of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

It’s why the National Highways recently launched its new road safety campaign, ‘Too Close for Comfort? Stay Safe, Stay Back’. It focuses on making parallels with how we can feel uneasy when someone is standing too close to us – so why do it out on the roads?

According to the National Highways, 43% of us admit to following too closely behind while 60% state they feel uncomfortable when being tailgated, experiencing the same tension and anxiety as when someone invades their personal space in everyday life.

Under pressure

Crucially, driving closely behind a vehicle can make the other driver feel pressured, distracting their attention from the road ahead to focus on the car looming large in their rearview mirror.

Worse still, it can trigger impulsive actions such as the other driver tapping or pressing on their brakes, ‘signalling’ for the tailgater to back off. However, this inevitably increases the risk of a collision (and is also illegal and could lead to the driver being prosecuted).

If you’re the tailgater and are caught, you can be punished with three points on your licence and a £100 fine. If your tailgating results in a collision, the punishment increases significantly with a possible ban and even serving time in prison.

Clear message

To be considerate when out on the road, National Highways is promoting the two-second rule. When following behind a vehicle in dry conditions, choose a fixed point – such as an approaching bridge or sign – and when the vehicle in front passes it, count “one thousand one, one thousand and two”.

If you pass by the fixed point before your count is complete, it means you’re following too close and should back off. In wet weather, you should double the second count while in icy conditions, consider leaving a 10-second gap.

“Tailgating isn’t just irritating; it’s intimidating and dangerous. Most people wouldn’t dream of standing right behind someone in a queue or walking on their heels down the street, yet this is exactly what we see on our roads. We’re asking drivers to pause and see their actions from a different perspective. Keeping a safe distance is a small act of respect that saves lives.”

• Sheena Hague, Director of Road Safety, National Highways

Know Your Code

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