MOTORING
‘‘while a small minority of tailgating is deliberate, most is unintentional by drivers who are simply unaware they are dangerously invading someone else’s space’’
Almost a third, 32 percent, feared tailgating slightly more than breaking down (31 percent), being crashed into (25 percent) and getting lost (22 percent). The study also lifted the lid on the motivations behind tailgating. Almost one in ten - eight percent of men and six percent of women - said they’d deliberately tailgated as an act of revenge because the rival motorist had ‘behaved poorly’ towards them.
Meanwhile seven percent of women and six percent of men had accidentally tailgated without even realising they were doing it. Overall, a third of those surveyed thought that tailgating had become more of an issue in the last five years as UK road behaviours were more aggressive. Mark Tongue, director of Select Car Leasing, said: “If you’re driving along, at the speed limit, and someone is an inch behind your rear bumper and acting in an aggressive manner, it can be extremely intimidating.
“If tailgating is a persistent source
of terror, drivers will be nervous about it happening before they even put the key in the ignition. Tailgating is simply not acceptable - full stop.” Now Highways England is waging war against the culprits
with its ‘Don’t be a Space Invader’ campaign.
As part of its research into the issue, the government agency used dashcams, facial recognition, emotion tracking and heart monitors to reveal that a driver’s typical reaction to someone who tailgates them was surprise, anger and contempt, plus a spike in heart rate.
Highways England says one in eight of all road casualties are caused by people who drive too close to the vehicle in front, with more than 100 people killed or seriously injured each year. It also says that while a small minority of tailgating is deliberate, most is unintentional by drivers who are simply unaware they are dangerously invading someone else’s space.
Whether intentional or otherwise, punishments for tailgating range from a £100 fine and three penalty points to a driving ban or even a prison sentence
Richard Leonard, Head of Road Safety at Highways England, said: “We know that if you get too close to the car in front, you won’t be able to react and stop in time if they brake suddenly. We want everyone to travel safely, so the advice is stay safe, stay back.”
Highways England gives the following advice if you’re confronted by a tailgater:
Just drive normally: The key is to not let the tailgater’s behaviour negatively influence your own driving. Simply continue to drive safely and cautiously, aware but not affected by their presence.
Allow them to
overtake: Keep a steady speed so they may overtake. Alternatively, pull to the side of the road, or turn off at a petrol station, but only if it is safe to do so.
Clearly signal: Ensure the tailgater has a clear idea of your intentions by signalling early and changing your speed well in advance of a turn off.
Don’t speed up: Generally this will encourage the tailgater to speed up behind you. Continue to travel at a safe speed. Do not allow the pressure from the tailgater to influence y ou to drive unsafely.
Don’t slow down: Intentionally slowing down to irritate the close follower or tapping the brake lights can trigger road rage and cause more dangerous scenarios to arise.
Don’t stare in the
rear-view mirror: It can be tempting to stare
at the driver behind but this can cause you to lose focus on what’s in front of you
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