ROAD HOGS
DRIVERS risk a hefty fine if they drive too close to the car in front of them.
It is easy to slip into an unsafe distance behind the car in front if you are in a rush, but this is classed as tailgating, and many people don't realise it's illegal.
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What is tailgating and is it illegal in the UK?
Tailgating is when a vehicle drives too close behind the one in front of it.
It is illegal in the UK, as it is classed as careless driving.
If the driver in front brakes suddenly this leaves very little time for the tailgating driver to react, meaning there could be an accident or even a potential death.
A survey carried out by BookMyGarage found that 43% of drivers have been in rear-end collisions.
Penalties can start with police issuing a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on your licence.
More serious cases are usually dealt with through the courts and can result in the driver being banned - or they could even end up with a prison sentence.
Tailgating is one of many things drivers in the UK need to know about so they stay safe on the roads.
Ten things you should know as a car owner
- When is your MOT due? Find out here
- When is your car tax due? Find out here
- Is it illegal to drive barefoot?
- How many units can you drink and drive?
- What do dashboard warning lights mean?
- Is it illegal to drive without road tax?
- Can you be fined for breaking the highway code?
- How to change the address on your driving licence
- What does MOT stand for?
- Is it illegal to park across someone's driveway?
What is the two second rule?
To understand the safe distance each car should maintain while in traffic, there is the 'two second rule'.
This refers to the time it should take to stop a car suddenly without crashing into the vehicle in front.
To work this out, pick a spot on the road such as a street lamp, and begin counting when the back of the car in front passes it.
Finish counting when you reach that marker, and if you count more than two seconds you are a safe distance behind.
The faster you're driving, the bigger the distance from the car in front you'll need to keep.
Often on the road you'll see chevrons painted on the ground, generally being two chevrons behind is an indicator you're keeping a big enough distance.
In the event that you're too close, begin to slow down or if possible and safe to do so, overtake the other car.
Having a bigger distance between you and the car in front could save your life if they brake unexpectedly.
How dangerous is tailgating?
In 2018, a study by Highways England showed that one in eight (12.5 per cent) of casualties on major roads in the country were caused by tailgating.
The organisation launched a campaign called ‘Don’t Be A Space Invader’ to make road users aware of the dangers of driving too close.
Nicholas Lyes, RAC Head of Roads Policy, warned drivers against the dangerous and intimidating practise.
He said: “Tailgating won’t increase your chances of getting to your destination more quickly, it will simply increase the chances of a serious collision.
“Our message to drivers is that they should keep at least a two second gap, and use the chevrons indicated on some roads to understand what a safe gap looks like in reality.
“Of course, in poor weather conditions, extra space is essential.”