Being tailgated is a regular occurrence and a dangerous one, but there is a simple solution to deal with it without causing a potentially fatal collision, according to a driving expert
Most motorists will have encountered the irritation of another vehicle following far too closely behind them. Beyond being annoying, this poses a serious safety risk, as any sudden braking could result in the trailing car crashing into you.
This perilous behaviour is frequently employed to pressure drivers ahead to shift out of the way, yet it places both parties at considerable risk. Maintaining a safe gap between vehicles is essential and varies depending on speed, visibility, and various road conditions.
It’s perfectly reasonable that many drivers won’t be certain how to handle being tailgated. Applying the brakes might trigger a crash, while pulling over to allow them past may not be feasible. It comes after a man dies after wife runs him over in car park in ‘tragic accident’.
READ MORE: Drivers with these number plates on their vehicles could be owed £950 paymentREAD MORE: Drivers told they ‘must’ have one essential item stored in cars during August
However, a driving instructor has outlined a straightforward method to use if anyone tailgates you, reports Birmingham Live. Annie Winterburn, who operates Spot On Driving, explained: “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 deal with tailgaters safely, Annie recommends you should “leave a bigger gap between your car and the car in front of you”. This strategy allows you to decelerate smoothly should the vehicle ahead stop abruptly, permitting the tailgating motorist to slow down safely too.
She noted that this advice regularly features in theory tests and represents an effective method for handling tailgating situations. Annie advised: “You should leave at least a two-second time gap, on dry roads, between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This is doubled to four seconds on wet roads – and is ten times the gap on icy roads. Ten times the gap is 20 seconds.”
The DVLA has also highlighted the serious consequences of “driving without due care and attention”, such as tailgating. Drivers found too close to the vehicle ahead may be slapped with a fine starting at £100 and three points on their driving licence.
In graver cases, culprits could face disqualification or even imprisonment if their actions lead to a major accident. According to the Highway Code, motorists should maintain at least a two-second distance from the car in front, extending this buffer in high-speed areas and tunnels where sight might be compromised.
The government’s website provides further insight into safe following distances: “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.”
Jason Wakeford, from Brake, the road safety charity, underscored the significance of adhering to these guidelines. He stressed: “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.”
READ MORE: End of season clearance sale slashes huge palm tree worth £180 to under £60