This ‘two-second rule’ could save you getting points on your licence
You should leave two seconds between you and the car in front of you
National Highways has issued a warning over a common mistake that drivers make.
Tailgating, the word for driving too closely to the vehicle in front of you, has been called the “single biggest issue that drivers find irritating or intimidating” by National Highways.
Avoiding tailgating accidents
Tailgating is the cause of one in every eight crashes on England’s major roads. To prevent this, National Highways asks people to use the ‘two- second rule’.
Drivers need approximately two seconds for thinking and braking, which means you need to be at least two seconds behind the car in front of you.
The easiest way to do this is to choose a stationary object on the side of the road, like a signpost, and count how many seconds it takes for you to pass it after the car in front.
If it’s raining, or the roads are wet, you’ll need to leave four seconds between your car and the car in front of you. When the roads are wet, you get less friction which makes the braking distance longer.
When it’s icy you’ll need to leave a 10-second gap.
What to do if someone is tailgating you
While it can be worrying to have someone tailgating you, the best thing to do is to ignore them.
National Highways says: “Simply continue to drive safely and cautiously, aware but not affected by their presence.”
National Highways also advises letting the tailgater overtake you, if you can. Stay at a steady speed – don’t speed up or slow down. You can also pull over or pull into a petrol station to avoid a tailgater.
Tailgating is often worse when there is traffic or delays. Check out our guide on roads to avoid while travelling over Christmas so you can have a smooth journey this holiday season.
