Are you listening? Come a little closer. Wait, no - that's way too close.
Getting too close is a problem, especially if you're in your car. A major problem, according to Highways England, and one that is a contributory factor in one in eight of all the accidents on the motorway, so make sure that you keep your distance on the road.
Let's get technical here. Tailgating - driving closer than the advised two seconds distance between cars - is a risky business. The two-second minimum limit allows for 'thinking' time in case of an emergency and gives drivers time to do something about it. Any closer than that and you put yourself, your passengers and other road users in needless danger.
Advert
The facts out of the way, we can move into the 'don't be a fool' aspect of tailgating. Not being foolish is one of the most important things to remember on the road, and tailgating the car in front is foolish behaviour.
Driving too close to the car in front is not just annoying for other road users, it's also intimidating. Imagine if you decided that you were going to walk down the street a step behind a fellow pedestrian. You wouldn't. So don't do it in your car.
It's weird, it's dangerous and it's creepy. Needless to say, it isn't getting you to your destination any quicker either.
Advert
Oh, and did we mention that it's costing you money? Car insurance is insanely expensive as it is, and one of the reasons why it is so high, particularly for young people, is the number of accidents that involve drivers under 30. Did we mention that one in eight of accidents involve tailgating? Yeah, we did. If you shunt the driver in front, then that's on you and your insurance.
"A bump won't just damage your vehicle, it's likely that it will also hit your pocket when it comes to renew your insurance," says Andy Watson, Chief Executive of insurers Ageas. "So we urge all drivers to follow the advice of Highways England and back off from the driver in front."
Highways England are kind enough to provide information on how not to tailgate. The two-second rule is something that we all remember from our driving tests (in the deep, dusty banks of our memories, filed alongside parallel parking & hill starts) but another key factor to remember include staying 24 car lengths apart on the motorway, to give yourself time to react and then stop, and taking responsibility for your own driving as much as watching other people's.
Yes, we know responsibility is hard. We feel as rough on a Sunday morning as you do. But trust us, in this case, it makes sense. Nicer, cheaper and above all, safer.
Advert
Highways England are currently running a campaign called 'Don't be a Space Invader' on this very subject. Click here to see the campaign and order your free bumper sticker.
Featured Image Credit: