He’s behind you! Motorway tailgating increases
Published: 08/03/2012
There is a growing concern over the potential increase of road traffic accidents on the UK’s safest roads as tailgating on motorways is on the rise.
A recent survey of 942 motorists found 61 per cent of male drivers have admitted to driving too closely to the vehicle in front on motorways, according to the road safety charity, Brake, and insurance company, Direct Line.
This equate to more than three in five men confessing to this dangerous, and aggressive, driving habit, a 12 per cent increase over the last 8 years.
But men are not the only culpable party; 46 per cent of women drivers have also admitted to motorway tailgating, 15 per cent of which acknowledged carrying out this offence on a weekly basis.
56 per cent of young drivers also owned up to tailgating, compared to just 21 per cent of older drivers. Julie Townsend is the Deputy Chief Executive at Brake:
“Drivers who don’t keep their distance increase the risk of piles-ups, which can and do result in multiple and violent deaths and injuries, and devastation for the families involved.
“We urge all drivers to realise the importance of the (safe distance) two-second rule, and make a personal commitment to always stick to it.”¹
Content correct at time of publication