A tailgating driver can be one of the most frustrating things you’ll encounter on the road – and it can also be dangerous. Here’s what to do – and what not to do. Whether you’re an experienced driver or a novice on the roads, being tailgated can be incredibly frustrating. But it’s not just a nuisance; it’s also a safety risk as it removes the essential space needed if you have to brake suddenly.
Tailgating is a frequent cause of road accidents and can result in serious injuries or even fatalities in the worst cases. So, what should you do if you’re being tailgated?
Annie Winterburn, owner of Spot On Driving, highlights that many drivers are uncertain about how to deal with this situation, as braking sharply could lead to a crash. The driving expert advises: “If the car behind is too close to you and you have to brake suddenly, that car behind you will crash into the back of you. So you have to make sure you don’t have to brake suddenly.”
To handle tailgaters safely, Winterburn suggests “leave a bigger gap between your car and the car in front of you”. This approach allows you to slow down smoothly if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly, giving the tailgater time to also slow down without causing an accident.
Annie, the driving instructor, mentioned that this specific knowledge is often examined in theory tests, indicating its significance for UK drivers. She further explained: “You should leave at least a 2-second time gap, on dry roads, between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This is doubled to 4-seconds on wet roads and is ten times the gap on icy roads.
Ten times the gap is 20-seconds.”, reports the Daily Record.
The DVLA has reiterated the importance of maintaining safe driving distances by stating that ‘driving without due care and attention’, such as trailing too closely to another vehicle, could land motorists with a fine starting at £100 and three penalty points. The authority warns that in more serious instances, consequences could extend beyond fines to include court proceedings.
In 2022, National Highways launched an initiative targeting tailgating, which is implicated in one out of eight collisions on England’s motorways and significant A roads. The Highway Code suggests a minimum two-second distance from the car in front, particularly in areas of higher speeds or reduced visibility, such as tunnels.
Additional advice on the government’s website clarifies: “The gap should be wider as speeds increase. It rises to 2.4 seconds – about 53 metres – when driving at 50mph and 3.1 seconds – or 96 metres – at 70mph.”
Echoing these sentiments, Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, emphasised: “It’s vital that drivers leave enough distance between the vehicle in front in order to react in time to any sudden dangers. We’d urge everyone to respect the two-second rule to keep them, and others on the road, safe.”
