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LONDON, England - More than half of British drivers are tailgaters on motorways despite 95% of them admitting it’s their primary concern on the road, reveals a survey by road safety group Brake and insurers Direct Line.
Of the 1000 participants, 57% admitted leaving less than a two-second gap to the vehicle ahead. More men (61%) admitted doing so than women (53%).
Ironically, 95% of respondents were concerned about vehicles following them too closely.
NO TIME TO REACT
Brake reports that by driving too close to the vehicle ahead and breaking speed limits drivers were leaving themselves insufficient time to react in an emergency, often leading to devastating crashes.
Tailgating is common in South Africa and often used by boisterous drivers to force a “slow” driver out of the way, usually accompanied by hooting and flashing. If a similar survey were conducted in SA might we see comparable, if not worse, results?
Brake urges drivers to maintain a two-second gap to the vehicle ahead, extending this to four or more in poor weather.
Brake’s deputy chief executive, Julie Townsend, said: "There are no two ways about it: ignore the two-second rule or the speed limit on motorways and you're putting yourself and others at risk of a horrific crash.
"Traffic laws are not just for other people: all drivers can help to make motorways safer."
SPEED: 'BIGGEST KILLER'
The survey also showed that 60% of drivers admitted to breaking the British 70mph (112km/h) speed limit by 16km/h or more, with almost 28% of respondents doing so monthly or more.
Do you tailgate and speed sometimes/rarely/often? Tell us about it...
Of the 1000 participants, 57% admitted leaving less than a two-second gap to the vehicle ahead. More men (61%) admitted doing so than women (53%).
Ironically, 95% of respondents were concerned about vehicles following them too closely.
NO TIME TO REACT
Brake reports that by driving too close to the vehicle ahead and breaking speed limits drivers were leaving themselves insufficient time to react in an emergency, often leading to devastating crashes.
Tailgating is common in South Africa and often used by boisterous drivers to force a “slow” driver out of the way, usually accompanied by hooting and flashing. If a similar survey were conducted in SA might we see comparable, if not worse, results?
Brake urges drivers to maintain a two-second gap to the vehicle ahead, extending this to four or more in poor weather.
Brake’s deputy chief executive, Julie Townsend, said: "There are no two ways about it: ignore the two-second rule or the speed limit on motorways and you're putting yourself and others at risk of a horrific crash.
"Traffic laws are not just for other people: all drivers can help to make motorways safer."
SPEED: 'BIGGEST KILLER'
The survey also showed that 60% of drivers admitted to breaking the British 70mph (112km/h) speed limit by 16km/h or more, with almost 28% of respondents doing so monthly or more.
Do you tailgate and speed sometimes/rarely/often? Tell us about it...
