Too close for comfort? National Highways launches campaign to tackle tailgating
National Highways is launching a new campaign to highlight the dangers of tailgating and encourage drivers to keep their distance.
- More than 140 people are killed or seriously injured each year in tailgating-related incidents on England’s motorways and major A-roads.
- Tailgating is a factor in 1 in 8 collisions on the strategic road network.
- Nearly half of drivers admit to tailgating at least occasionally.
- National Highways launches a new campaign comparing tailgating to being followed too closely in everyday life - both make people feel unsafe, tense and anxious.
New research shows most people feel anxious and uncomfortable if a stranger stands too closely beside them and many drivers say they experience the same feelings when someone tailgates them on the road.
Tailgating – when a driver doesn’t leave sufficient distance to stop safely if the vehicle in front brakes suddenly – contributes to an average of 147 people being killed or seriously injured (KSI) each year.
Despite the risks, a recent survey for National Highways found 43% of drivers admit to tailgating at least occasionally, while 60 percent say they feel anxious or stressed when others do it to them. This mirrors similar feelings to when people feel their personal space is being invaded.
To tackle this, National Highways is launching a powerful new safety campaign: ‘Too Close for Comfort? Stay Safe, Stay Back’ – urging drivers to recognise the risks of close following and change their habits behind the wheel.
Sheena Hague, Director of Road Safety at National Highways, said:
“Tailgating isn’t just irritating; it’s intimidating and dangerous.
“Most people wouldn’t dream of standing right behind someone in a queue or walking on their heels down the street, yet this is exactly what we see on our roads.
“We’re asking drivers to pause and see their actions from a different perspective. Keeping a safe distance is a small act of respect that saves lives.”
National Highways is urging drivers to leave at least a two-second gap on dry roads – a critical safety measure that should be doubled to four seconds if the road surface is wet.
The campaign draws on behavioural science to explore why drivers tailgate, often without realising, and how small, relatable, real-life experiences can prompt safer driving.
Shaun Helman, Chief Scientist at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), said:
“This is an innovative approach to shift deeply ingrained driving habits.
“By tapping into the universal discomfort many of us feel around an invasion of our personal space, we're not just advising drivers what to do; we're giving them a relatable life experience to help understand the impact of their actions and encouraging a lasting shift towards more mindful and safer driving behaviours."
Tailgating is against the law and can lead to fines and other penalties. It falls under the careless driving offence and can result in a £100 charge and three penalty points.
In the worst cases, tailgating can result in a driving ban or even a prison sentence if a serious collision occurs as a result.
To learn more about the campaign and how to keep a safe distance, visit the Too Close for Comfort? Stay Safe, Stay Back webpage.
You can view the footage from the M42 which was captured by Warwickshire Police here: Tailgating HGV
To view the tailgating footage captured by Lincolnshire Police, visit: Tailgating
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
